College and Association of Nurses of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut (CANNN)

The Northwest Territories Registered Nurses Association (NWTRNA) was established in 1975 by the Nursing Profession Act as the regulatory and professional body for registered nurses in the Northwest Territories (NT). In 1999, NWTRNA became the regulatory body and professional association for both the Northwest Territories and Nunavut (NU). Effective January 1, 2004, with new legislation the Northwest Territories Registered Nurses Association changed its name to the Registered Nurses Association of Northwest Territories and Nunavut (RNANT/NU). In 2023, the Acts underwent revision, resulting in the introduction of two new Nursing Profession Acts: the Nursing Profession Act of NWT (Bill 77) and the Nursing Professions Act of Nunavut (Bill 23). Consequently, the College now registers nurses in all four categories: Licensed Practical Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, and Registered Psychiatric Nurses. With these new Acts, our name has changed to reflect the dual mandate we work under. We are the College and Association of Nurses of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut (CANNN). The regulatory functions of CANNN per the Nursing Profession Acts (NPA) serve to protect the public and include: • Member Registration; • Professional Conduct Review; and • Approval of Education Programs. As a professional association, CANNN strives to enhance the role of registered nurses and nurse practitioners through professional advocacy and promotion. CANNN is governed by a Board of Directors as mandated in the Nursing Professions Acts. The Board of Directors consists of 12 members; 10 elected registered nurses and two public representatives appointed by the Minister of Health and Social Services in the NT and the Minister of Health in NU. The daily operations of CANNN are performed by CANNN employees. In addition, CANNN employees work with several CANNN committees composed of volunteer CANNN members and public representatives to perform both regulatory and advocacy roles.