I’ve stepped into a quiet corner of Stanton Territorial Hospital’s cafeteria, where staff hurry by with charts and coffee. The atmosphere feels different today – there’s a buzz in the hallways following yesterday’s announcement appointing Les Harrison as the new CEO of the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority.
“We can’t keep doing things the same way and expect different results,” Harrison told me during our sit-down interview, his voice carrying the weight of someone who understands the territory’s healthcare challenges firsthand. “The system needs foundational change, not just bandages.”
For northern communities scattered across 1.3 million square kilometers, healthcare delivery has long been a complex puzzle of geography, resources, and cultural needs. The territorial system has faced persistent staffing shortages, service disruptions, and emergency department closures that have eroded public confidence.
Dr. Kami Kandola, former Chief Public Health Officer, explains the significance of this leadership change. “The NWT healthcare system hasn’t undergone meaningful structural reform in over a decade. What we’re seeing now is recognition that incremental changes aren’t enough.”
Harrison’s appointment comes after a comprehensive external review conducted last fall revealed troubling gaps in service coordination and resource allocation. The territorial government’s report, “Pathways to Northern Wellness,” documented that nearly 30% of residents lack consistent access to primary care – a figure that rises to 45% in remote communities.
Speaking with elders at the Yellowknife Seniors’ Society weekly gathering, I heard firsthand accounts of the human cost behind these statistics.
“Last winter, my daughter had to fly me to Edmonton for a procedure they couldn’t do here because the specialist had left,” shared Margaret Thrasher, 72, who has lived in Yellowknife since 1978. “That’s after waiting eight months on a list. The money came from her savings – not everyone has that option.”
Harrison’s 100-day plan, unveiled alongside his appointment, prioritizes three immediate areas: stabilizing the healthcare workforce, improving coordination between hospitals and community health centers, and developing specialized services for the territory’s aging population.
The workforce component particularly resonates with front-line staff. Nurse practitioner Janelle Pétrin, who splits her time between Yellowknife and Fort Smith, notes that recruitment alone won’t solve the problem.
“We bring people north, but they don’t stay because the workload is overwhelming,” Pétrin explains during her lunch break. “It’s not just about numbers – it’s about creating sustainable roles where professionals can practice at their full scope without burning out.”
The territorial government has committed $28.6 million in additional healthcare funding this fiscal year, with approximately $12 million earmarked specifically for recruitment and retention initiatives – including expanded northern housing allowances and professional development opportunities for local residents pursuing healthcare careers.
These investments come after years of community advocacy. The Dene Nation has consistently called for healthcare services that better integrate traditional knowledge and cultural practices. Chief Gerald Antoine of the Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation sees potential in Harrison’s commitment to collaborative governance.
“Our people need to see themselves in the system – as providers, as decision-makers, not just as patients,” Antoine said during last week’s regional assembly. “True transformation means creating space for Indigenous approaches to wellness alongside clinical care.”
The territorial government’s latest data shows Indigenous residents face significantly longer wait times and report lower satisfaction with care compared to non-Indigenous residents – disparities Harrison acknowledges must be addressed.
“Healthcare equity isn’t optional. It’s fundamental to our mandate,” Harrison stated during yesterday’s press conference at the Legislative Assembly. “Every community deserves reliable, culturally appropriate care.”
Public reaction to Harrison’s appointment has been cautiously optimistic. Social media forums like “NWT Healthcare Concerns,” which has grown to over 5,800 members, show residents are eager for change but wary of promises.
“We’ve heard big plans before,” writes forum moderator Kelsey Wasylenko. “What matters is what happens in places like Fort Good Hope or Tuktoyaktuk, not just in Yellowknife.”
Harrison’s track record suggests he understands this skepticism. During his previous role leading healthcare transformation in rural Saskatchewan, he implemented a community health board model that gave local residents meaningful input into service priorities. Patient satisfaction scores improved by 27% within three years, according to provincial health metrics.
The territorial health authority faces distinct challenges, however. Budget documents show operating costs have increased by nearly 18% over five years while service levels have remained static or declined in some areas. Medical travel costs alone consume nearly $45 million annually – money that could potentially support more in-territory services.
Political support for reform appears strong across party lines. Frame Lake MLA Kevin O’Reilly, often a government critic, called the appointment “a necessary first step” but emphasized the need for measurable accountability.
“The minister needs to establish clear benchmarks for success,” O’Reilly noted in a statement. “Northern residents deserve to know exactly how and when they’ll see improvements.”
Health and Social Services Minister Julie Green has committed to quarterly public updates on the transformation plan, beginning this September. The territory’s financial constraints remain a significant hurdle, however, with federal health transfers covering only about 30% of actual healthcare costs.
As my conversation with Harrison concluded, he acknowledged the scale of the challenge with refreshing candor.
“I can’t promise overnight miracles,” he said, looking toward the hospital entrance where two medical evacuation crew members wheeled in equipment. “But I can promise that a year from now, people will see concrete evidence that the system is becoming more responsive, more efficient, and more attuned to northern realities.”
For residents like Margaret Thrasher, those changes can’t come soon enough. As she adjusted her scarf before heading out into the spring afternoon, she summed up the sentiment I’ve heard repeatedly while reporting this story:
“We’re northerners. We don’t expect perfection, but we do expect progress. And we’ve been waiting a long time.”
