Lesa Semmler, a former nurse, says superior treatment of casual staff is a years-long issue. Social Sharing CBC News · Posted: May 24, 2021 7:00 AM CT | Last Updated: May 24 MLA Lesa Semmler says nurses are leaving their permanent positions for more transient ones in the territory so they can have the same benefits.(Mackenzie Scott/CBC) comments A Northwest Territories MLA and former nurse says permanent nurses are frustrated with benefits awarded to casual nurses over permanent staff, and that this divide has persisted for years. Inuvik Twin Lakes MLA Lesa Semmler raised the issue during a candidates forum during her campaign. "Over the years, that practice of utilizing locums just increased to the point now where you probably have more locums in shorter-term contracts than you have permanent nurses."