Northwest Territories NCB Programs

The Government of the Northwest Territories (NWT) continues to reinvest funds arising from the National Child Benefit in the NWT Child Benefit (NWTCB), which includes the Territorial Workers' Supplement. In order to reduce duplication and streamline efficiency, Canada Customs and Revenue Agency delivers the NWTCB for the NWT as an integrated payment with federal child benefits.

While the reinvestment arising from the 1998-99 National Child Benefit continues to fund the NWTCB, the 1999 and subsequent increases to the National Child Benefit Supplement are directed to the Healthy Children Initiative.

It is estimated that 4,400 children in almost 3,000 families receive the NWTCB every month. This cash benefit provides a maximum of $330 per child per year for families with income of $20,921 or less in the previous year. The Territorial Workers' Supplement provides families that have at least $3,750 in working income the previous year, with maximum benefits of $275 for the first child and $75 for the second; the actual benefit is based on income.

The Healthy Children Initiative, administered by the Early Childhood and School Services division of the Department of Education Culture and Employment, has been offered since 1997. The program is recognized as playing a major role in communities, by providing programs for children 0-6 years of age and their families. Funding based on written proposals is provided to community groups to plan and deliver programs specifically tailored to meet the needs of that community. The incremental funding provided by the increases to the National Child Benefit allows for more program development and delivery to address developmental needs of young children and their families. This funding will continue to support programs such as the Growing Together Pre-Postnatal Program in Hay River, the Yellowknife Women's Center Family Support Program and the Childcare Support worker in Tuktoyaktuk.

The Departments of Health and Social Services and Education, Culture and Employment have drafted an Early Childhood Development Framework for Action. Stakeholders have been consulted, and the Early Childhood Development Action Plan for the delivery of programs and services for children in the early years is due to be released in the summer of 2001.

More information on the Income Support Programs of the Department of Education, Culture & Employment, Government of the NWT may be obtained from the website.

Contact us: 
Linda Ecklund
Manager, Income Support Programs
Income Support Division
Department of Education, Culture & Employment
Government of the Northwest Territories
Box 1320
Yellowknife, NT X1A 2L9
Phone 867-873-7746
Fax 867-873-0443
Email Linda_ecklund@gov.nt.ca