Members' Handbook
PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
121. VISUAL IDENTITY STANDARDS
The Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly adopted the Visual Identity Standards in August 2019.
122. MEDIA RELATIONS
It is essential that elected officials have the opportunity and the ability to communicate effectively with their constituents and the general public at all times. The media play an important role in assisting with this communication function. Members are frequently approached by the media, either in person or by telephone, to answer questions, provide opinions or information. Accredited media at the Legislative Assembly wear identification badges, and their conduct is governed by certain rules and guidelines established by the Speaker and the Sergeant-at-Arms. Public Affairs and Communications is available to assist Members in dealing with the media.
123. PRESS RELEASE AND PRESS CONFERENCES
Members may request assistance from Public Affairs and Communications in drafting and editing a press release. When the Member is satisfied with the text of a press release, Public Affairs and Communications distributes the release electronically to all northern and select southern media. Copies are also distributed to all Members of the Legislative Assembly. Members are responsible for the content of their press releases. Staff of the Legislative Assembly are not authorized to speak on behalf of individual Members.
Members may hold press conferences in the Legislative Assembly’s media briefing room. The media briefing room should be booked through the Speaker’s Office. Public Affairs and Communications may assist with administrative arrangements upon request.
124. MEMBERS' NEWSLETTERS
Public Affairs and Communications is available, upon request, to provide editing and production advice with regard to Member’s newsletters.
125. ADVERTISEMENTS
Public Affairs and Communications is available to provide editing advice with regard to a Member’s advertisements. All ads must comply with Section 95 and must be approved by Members’ and Precinct Services prior to publication.
126. SOCIAL MEDIA
The Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly utilizes social media to facilitate open discussion and share information on its programs, services, committees, and related events. The Assembly's official social media platforms include Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.
Members’ social media pages are independent of the Legislative Assembly and the Assembly is not responsible for content of these pages. Members fall under the Government of Northwest Territories Communication Policy and Privacy/Confidentiality agreement and are expected to adhere to these documents.
127. NEWS ITEMS
Public Affairs and Communications is available to provide transcripts from northern media outlets, upon request.
128. PUBLIC INFORMATION MATERIAL AND TOURS
A range of printed material focusing on the history, role and activities of the Legislative Assembly is available through Public Affairs and Communications. The material is designed to increase public understanding and awareness of the unique form of government in the Northwest Territories and the physical building that houses it. Material is available for both adults and children and a number of copies are available from Public Affairs and Communications at no cost.
Public Affairs and Communications conducts daily guided tours of the Assembly building. Arrangements can be made for special group tours, upon request. During the summer months of June, July and August, guided tours of the Legislative Assembly are given weekdays at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., and on Sundays at 1:30 p.m.
During the remaining months of the year tours are scheduled on Mondays through Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
Public Affairs and Communications offers self-guided audio tour in the official languages of the NWT and in Japanese. These can be obtained from Legislative Assembly security staff.
129. PROMOTIONAL ITEMS
Public Affairs and Communications maintains a supply of Legislative Assembly promotional items, which Members may purchase for distribution. These promotional items must adhere to the Legislative Assembly Visual Identity Standards and branding.
Further information on Members’ promotional items can be found at Section 97 of this Handbook.
130. BUSINESS CARDS
All cards must comply with the Legislative Assembly Visual Identity Standards and branding, and must be approved for purchase by Members’ and Precinct Services prior to publication.
Business cards can be ordered in more than one official language. Translation services can be requested through Public Affairs and Communications.
131. Calendars/Christmas Cards
Public Affairs and Communications is available, upon request to provide advice to Members in the production of Christmas cards or calendars. Members should be aware that the production of cards and calendars generally takes at least four weeks. Any requests for assistance must be received by November 10 of each year.
The cost of Christmas cards or calendars is deducted from the Member’s Constituency Work Expense Allowance.
132. Photographs
Upon reasonable advance notice, Public Affairs and Communications is available to take photographs of Members during Committee activities, meetings with guests or constituents in the Legislative Assembly building. The digital photo file will be made available to Members within a reasonable time. Members using photos received from the Public Affairs department in their newsletter, other printed material, or on a website must ensure that all images used are credited to the Legislative Assembly and may only be used in relation to the Members business as a Member.
133. Audio/Video Transcripts
Members can request audio and video transcripts of the House proceedings from Public Affairs and Communications.
134. Website
Members are encouraged to visit the Assembly’s website at www.assembly.gov.nt.ca. The website contains a variety of information about the Assembly and its business, including information about Members, online access to Hansard, bills and amendments, Orders of the Day, status of bills, Legislative Library catalogue, tabled documents, Committee Reports, Assembly news releases and educational information for children and adult visitors to the Legislative Assembly. The site also contains live and archival streamed audio/video of the Assembly’s proceedings.
Members can provide a written biography to Public Affairs and Communications to be posted on the Assembly’s website. A Member may update or make changes to the text of the biography by sending an electronic file containing the new information to Public Affairs and Communications. Members may request to add a link to their personal websites in their Member’s biography.
Members’ wanting a website for Member and/or Legislative Assembly business will have website domain names provided to them by Members’ and Precinct Services and these websites will need to comply with the election guidelines. Members’ websites are independent of the Legislative Assembly website and the Assembly is not responsible for content of these websites.