Infrastructure projects play a significant role in the economic activity of the Northwest Territories. These Estimates inject money into the economy and provide business and employment opportunities for residents, while delivering the critical infrastructure the NWT needs to provide important programs and services.
The Government of the Northwest Territories has taken action to address the climate crisis and make energy more secure, reliable, and sustainable in 2020-2021.
Progress is highlighted in four reports, which will be tabled in the legislature later today - Responding to Climate Change: Overview Report 2020-2021, NWT Climate Change Action Plan Report 2020-2021, Northwest Territories Energy Initiatives Report 2020-2021, and the NWT Carbon Tax Report 2020-2021.
The overview report summarizes the GNWT’s activities to address climate change.
The Government of the Northwest Territories’ (GNWT) COVID-19 Vaccination Policy takes effect today. GNWT employees who have not provided proof of vaccination are required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and undergo regular testing for COVID-19 as directed by their department.
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Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to improving Indigenous representation in the public service, and ensuring Indigenous employees are genuinely included, celebrated, and given opportunities to succeed. We are committed to creating a public service that is welcoming, culturally competent, and free of discrimination; one that serves in a way that respects and includes the Indigenous peoples and communities of this territory.
Today, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) launched a new online portal to provide NWT residents an additional point of access for government programs and services.
This secure portal will help to ensure that people are able to access a wider variety of programs and services online using a single account. The eServices portal is safe, secure, and private. Robust security measures are in place, and personal information is protected.
A recent amendment to the Liquor Regulations will allow Northwest Territories’ (NWT) liquor stores to sell and provide home delivery of liquor to customers including those who are in isolation due to COVID-19.
All NWT liquor stores are now able to sell beer, wine and spirits for home delivery to customers residing in the community where the liquor store is located.
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is announcing the opening of a new retail cannabis store, It’s 4:20 Somewhere, in Hay River.
Operating at 1-4 Courtoreille Street, the cannabis retailer was the successful proponent through the GNWT’s public procurement process and is designated to sell cannabis under the NWT Cannabis Products Act.
As of October 18, 2021, all qualified designated retail cannabis vendors are eligible to operate an online store to serve NWT customers.
Currently, ReLeaf NT is the only active retail cannabis outlet interested in operating an online store for residents of the Northwest Territories. They also operate a brick-and-mortar cannabis store in Yellowknife.
The Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission (NTLCC) issued an expression of interest on July 11, 2021 to determine if current designated vendors were interested in operating online stores.
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is introducing amendments to the GNWT COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, which expand application of the policy to all employees of the GNWT. As of November 30th, 2021, all GNWT employees will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Previously, the policy only applied to GNWT employees working with vulnerable populations.
The GNWT engaged with the Union of Northern Workers, the NWT Teachers Association, Indigenous Governments, and others in the drafting of this policy and in making amendments to it.
As of November 30th, 2021 the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) will require employees who interact with vulnerable members of the public to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
The GNWT is committed to protecting the health and well-being of GNWT employees, NWT residents, and communities. As such, the new policy will apply to those who provide service to vulnerable members of the public in the healthcare, education and corrections sectors, and employees travelling to remote communities on duty travel.
