Northern Territories Federation of Labour

11/12/2026

EDITED Nov. 13, 2026: Our issues with Microsoft/Outlook have been resolved and we are now able to send and receive emails as usual. Thank you for your patience with this matter.

‼ Notice ‼
Our email has been affected by the widespread Microsoft/Outlook outage and we are currently unable to send or receive emails from any of our accounts. We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause and more updates will be provided as they come in.

As we are awaiting a solution to this issue, please know that our phone line is still open. If you have an urgent concern or would like to get in touch right away, please call us at 867-873-3965 and we will be happy to help.

11/11/2026

Today marks Remembrance Day in Canada, a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by brave Canadians who have proudly stepped up to serve our country. Lest we forget those who selflessly gave their lives to protect the rights and freedoms of Canadians and our international allies – we are forever indebted to their honourable service.

You can show your support in many ways, and we encourage everyone to honour this day by participating in any way they can.

• Observe a moment of silence in remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
• Donate to the Royal Canadian Legion's Poppy Fund to support Canadian veterans, local communities, and military families.
• Wear the poppy properly and proudly and encourage others to do the same.
• Attend a local Remembrance Day Ceremony in your community.

For more information on the history of Remembrance Day in Canada, and for more Ways to Remember, please visit https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance

10/31/2026

What a great week at the Union of Northern Workers Triennial Convention! It was so wonderful to be surrounded by labour activists from all Regions of the Northwest Territories this past week.
A very big congratulations to President-Elect, Bassel Sleem and 1st Vice President-Elect, Geraldine Pottle Penney.
The NTFL also wants to send our deepest appreciation to outgoing President, Gayla Thunstrom. Gayla, you have been a fixture in the Labour Movement in the NWT for decades, working tirelessly for workers across our Territory. Thank you so much for your service and congratulations on your well deserved retirement!!

10/26/2026

Between October 8th and 23rd, we received a grand total of 830 qualifying entries into our draw, generously sponsored by Canadian North Airlines! ✈

Today we are excited to announce our lucky winner - Margaret Panipak from Pangnirtung! 🎉 Congratulations Margaret! 🎉

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest! As a reminder, this contest was sponsored by Canadian North Airlines in support of our 2026 Labour Day celebrations in Nunavut. We are so grateful for the support shown by Canadian North, and for everyone who participated in our events this year!

10/21/2026

Day one of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour 2026 Convention in Regina saw delegates rally at the Legislature to protest the government's plan for two-tier healthcare. NTFL President Sara-Jayne Dempster, pictured here with Darrin Kruger from United Steelworkers (USW), was in attendance to support SFL delegates.

No two-tier healthcare!! ✊

10/21/2026

Only two more days left to enter our draw, generously sponsored by Canadian North Airlines! ✈

The contest will close this Friday, October 23rd 2026, at 11:59PM. If you are a resident of a community in Nunavut (excluding Iqaluit) make sure you enter before the deadline for your chance to win one round trip ticket between any Canadian North destination! 🎉

‼Please read the original post, and visit the link below for full contest details, terms & conditions, and to enter the draw.

Best of luck! 🤞
https://forms.gle/ak7FPBLBW6QzqQTv7

‼ Attention Nunavut Residents! ‼

We have an exciting contest to announce in partnership with Canadian North Airlines!

In celebration of Labour Day, we received two round-trip tickets to give away - one of these tickets was awarded by draw to an Iqaluit resident during our Labour Day BBQ on August 29th.

We still have one ticket to give away to one lucky winner in Nunavut! This contest is open to anyone over the age of 18 who currently resides in a Nunavut community, excluding Iqaluit.

For full contest details, terms & conditions, and to enter the draw, please visit this link below or scan the QR Code in the poster.

Good luck!

https://forms.gle/ak7FPBLBW6QzqQTv7

10/15/2026

A message from NTFL President Sara-Jayne Dempster on the National Day of Action to Defend the Right to Strike.

10/08/2026

‼ Attention Nunavut Residents! ‼

We have an exciting contest to announce in partnership with Canadian North Airlines!

In celebration of Labour Day, we received two round-trip tickets to give away - one of these tickets was awarded by draw to an Iqaluit resident during our Labour Day BBQ on August 29th.

We still have one ticket to give away to one lucky winner in Nunavut! This contest is open to anyone over the age of 18 who currently resides in a Nunavut community, excluding Iqaluit.

For full contest details, terms & conditions, and to enter the draw, please visit this link below or scan the QR Code in the poster.

Good luck!

https://forms.gle/ak7FPBLBW6QzqQTv7

09/30/2026

September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Today, we encourage everyone to reflect on the experiences of Indigenous children and families who were affected by the injustices of the Residential School System in Canada. Acknowledging the truth is a vital first step toward healing, but there remains significant work to be done to support Indigenous communities across the Northern Territories and throughout Canada as a whole. We must continue to promote reconciliation by engaging in meaningful conversations, building bridges between our communities, and providing the necessary supports for our Indigenous communities where they are needed.

We are committed to always standing in solidarity with our Indigenous friends, family, and coworkers. Every Child Matters - not just today, but every day.

09/29/2026

The Northern Territories Federation of Labour strongly condemns Bill C-39 (the Building Canada Strong Act: https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/45-1/bill/C-39/first-reading ), denouncing its proposed changes to the Canada Labour Code as a direct, unconstitutional attack on workers' fundamental right to strike.

There are core concerns that the expansion of Section 107 formalizes and broadens the federal labour minister’s authority to unilaterally end lawful strikes or lockouts, force binding arbitration, and extend collective agreements under a "national interest" standard. Northern workers have growing concerns that this effectively pre-empts free collective bargaining and hands immense leverage back to employers.

Let’s not forget that while the government previously touted protections against replacement workers, introducing sweeping strike-breaking powers via Bill C-39 undermines true collective bargaining for our Northern members who could face prolonged disputes and have been deeply disappointed by the employer response to bargaining proposals.

Putting pressure on workers to absorb economic hardship is out of touch and harmful. Empowering the Minister to halt work stoppages removes any genuine incentive for employers to negotiate fair deals at the table.

We need to be concerned about these changes at all levels of government, particularly here in the North where our Territorial governments often take their lead from the Feds. The right to strike cannot be overturned by the “opinion” of one person. We cannot be “Elbows Up” with our hands tied. Enough is enough. Write to your MP now to demand our right to strike be protected.

- Sara-Jayne Dempster (She/Her); President of the Northern Territories Federation of Labour
https://ntfl.ca/ntfl-statement-bill-c39/