The GNWT has processed five applications to change the sex designation on identification documents since last summer.
In July 2017, the Vital Statistics Act was amended so people could change the sex on their birth certificates without first undergoing gender confirmation surgery.
The territory also introduced a third sex designation: 'X'.
The purpose of 'X' is to include transgender and non-binary people and combat discrimination.
The department of Health and Social Services would not say how many people have chosen to change their sex designation specifically to 'X,' or from M to F or vice versa.
“As our numbers grow and more applications are completed, we may be able to provide more details,” Damien Healy, the department's spokesperson, stated in an email Thursday. “Right now it would be too easy to identify someone based on our low numbers.”
– Sidney Cohen
Broken sprinkler pipe blamed for messy water main leak outside hotel
A broken service pipe attached to Coast Fraser Tower’s sprinkler system is being blamed for a water main leak that led to a messy and muddy clean up for city workers Tuesday morning.
Water supply for residents living in the area of the 52 Street hotel and apartment block was restored after being temporarily shut off following the leak, which caused water to gush from a pipe located under the building’s parking lot.
"This is now an isolated issue and will not affect any water services in the area. The property manager has been notified and they are working on a plan to get the sprinkler system repaired,” stated city spokesperson Iman Kassam in an email Tuesday afternoon.
A barricade will remain around an open ditch in the hotel parking lot until contractors can assess the sprinkler piping, stated Kassam.
– Brendan Burke
Drilling into mineral exploration
The GNWT is investing another $1 million in the future of mineral exploration in the NWT, stated a news release.
Eighteen projects will receive money under the Mining Incentive Program (MIP).
The program, now in its fourth year, invests in qualifying prospecting and exploration projects across the NWT to advance mineral exploration, stated the release.
It is administered by the NWT Geological Survey, a division of the GNWT's Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
This is the program's second intake since contributions for the program were more-than doubled to address rising demand, and a need to stimulate activity in the NWT mining sector.
The program has realized over $9.8 million in leveraged spending since its inception.
Last year, more than $3.4 million in mineral exploration spending was realized from projects which received $881,055 in total GNWT investment; a 3 to 1 ratio.
– James O'Connor