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Northwest TerritoriesBill 40Committee

Bill 40: An Act to Amend the Vital Statistics Act

Introduced February 10, 2026Checked October 19, 2026
Read the official textOfficial version — Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories

Latest development

Referred to committee on .

Next: Third Reading vote

What this bill does

This bill updates the Northwest Territories Vital Statistics Act to allow up to four parents on a birth registration (including non-traditional family structures), modernizes definitions for health care professionals, simplifies the process for amending sex designations on birth registrations, and creates a new 'certificate of change in gender' for residents whose births are registered outside the NWT.

Plain-language summary by Legisail — not legal advice.

Business impact

Compliance
This bill primarily affects government registries and health care professionals in the Northwest Territories rather than private businesses directly. Midwives, nurses, nurse practitioners, and medical practitioners will see updated definitions clarifying their roles in certifying births and deaths. Healthcare clinics and community health centres may need to update internal procedures to reflect the expanded list of professionals authorized to certify deaths. Businesses involved in name changes or identity documentation (such as legal services or notarial practices) should note updated rules around publishing name change notices, particularly where the change relates to gender identity.

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Where this bill is

First ReadingFebruary 10, 2026
Second ReadingFebruary 11, 2026
CommitteeFebruary 11, 2026
Next: Third Reading vote

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At a glance

Bill number
40
Type
Government
Jurisdiction
Northwest Territories
Session
20-1
Takes effect
On proclamation — date not yet fixed
Official record