Friends and Family Travel Program

NWT Winter

The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services System (NWT HSS System) Friends and Family Travel Program (FFT Program) is a taxable incentive program available to indeterminate, term, and casual front-line nurse practitioners, and registered nurses providing direct patient care who are scheduled for a minimum of five full, regular shifts between December 19, 2026, and January 03, 2027, inclusive. It is also available to permanent and locum physicians providing direct patient care who are scheduled for a minimum of five full, regular shifts (including scheduled calls shifts, but excluding travel days) between December 18, 2026, and January 05, 2027, inclusive.

Eligible individuals have the opportunity for financial support to bring family members and/or friends to their community of employment. The program will cover the costs of flights and/or travel by privately owned vehicle, to a maximum of $2,000 per employee.

The application deadline for all eligible nurse practitioners, physicians, and registered nurses is December 17, 2026 at 11:59pm MST.

The program was created in response to acute staffing challenges within the Health and Social Services System and was designed to support service continuity in areas primarily staffed by registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and physicians. We recognize that concerns have been raised over the years by other professional groups regarding the program’s eligibility criteria. The future of the Friends & Family Travel Program beyond 2026 is currently under consideration by the NWT Health and Social Services System. However, for the 2026 program year, the program will proceed as previously established.

Documentation for each Health and Social Services Authority is provided below. For questions on the overall programs, please refer to Frequently Asked Questions.

 

DOCUMENTATION

Please complete the documentation for your respective health and social services authorities. Physicians should refer to the Physician Section.

 

Physicians: Permanent and Locum:

Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority:

For NTHSSA and physicians:

Please contact PracticeNWT@gov.nt.ca for questions on the program.

Please contact NTHSSA_Compensation_Management@gov.nt.ca for questions on claims / reimbursements.

 

Hay River Health and Social Services Authority:

Please contact Abena_Nyarko@gov.nt.ca for questions on the program or claims / reimbursements.

 

Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency:

Documentation coming soon.  In the meantime, please connect with your program manager or supervisor for details.

  • Friends & Family Travel Program Guidelines (TCSA) - coming soon
  • Standard Operating Procedures (TCSA) - coming soon
  • Application Form (TCSA) - coming soon
  • Claims Form (TCSA) - coming soon
  • Frequently Asked Question (TCSA) - coming soon

Please contact tcsa_financialservices@tlicho.net for questions on the programs or claims / reimbursements.