Skip to content

NEWS BRIEFS: Returning officer named for election

logo

The Town of Hay River has appointed a returning officer for the municipal elections set for this fall.

At its Aug. 28 meeting, council passed a motion to appoint Heather Coakwell to the position.

The election on Oct. 15 is for a mayor and eight councillors, who will be elected for three-year terms.

Elections will also be held in Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, Inuvik, Norman Wells and Yellowknife.

Summer Heat program wraps up

The Summer Heat program for children concluded on Aug. 24.

The activities for children aged five to 11 years began on July 24.

Glenn Smith, the town's acting director of recreation and assistant senior administrative officer, told council on Aug. 28 that the program had 25 participants at the end, compared to five the last time it was held.

The program is offered by the town's recreation department.

New Mental Health Act comes into effect

The GNWT's new Mental Health Act came into force on Sept. 1.

The act is part of the Department of Health and Social Services' goal to modernize mental health care to better protect the rights, safety and wellbeing of individuals living with mental illness.

"The new Mental Health Act's primary focus is for circumstances in where a person with a mental health disorder has become a serious risk to themselves or others," said Health and Social Services Minister Glen Abernethy in an Aug. 29 news release.

"It sets out processes that must be followed to treat, and where necessary prevent them from harming themselves or others. This new act is only one piece of the overall service continuum for mental health, and targets a very small population. To ensure that the mental health needs of all residents are being met, we are continuing work highlighted in the 2016 Mental Health and Addictions Strategic Framework."

Ad space for sale on arena boards

The Town of Hay River is selling advertising space on the new hockey rink boards.

As of Aug. 28, there were 12 full-size spaces still available, after over half of the available spaces were sold. They measure eight feet by 34 inches.