Minister of Health and Social Services, Julie Green has extended the territory-wide Public Health Emergency under the Northwest Territories’ Public Health Act on the advice of Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) Dr. Kami Kandola.

The latest extension continues through December 21, 2021. 

The Public Health Emergency is required to continue to decisively respond to shifts in the NWT’s own public health situation, and maintain preventative measures.

Julie Green, Minister of Health and Social Services, issued the following statement on the opening of the new day shelter in Yellowknife:

“As part of our commitment to reconciliation, and to ensure that everyone can access safe shelter facilities, I’m pleased to announce that a new temporary day shelter for people experiencing homelessness opened its doors  to the homeless population this morning.

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Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce the temporary day shelter will open soon at the site of the former visitor’s center in Yellowknife. The day shelter is vital to keeping residents experiencing homelessness safe during the depths of winter.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is launching a new campaign focused on residents learning to live with COVID-19 as we adapt to a new normal.

Starting today, Setting Your COVID-19 Safety Nets will promote how layers of protection outlined in Emerging Wisely 2021 can work together to reduce risk so we can continue to protect ourselves and our communities from the virus.

The Government of the Northwest Territories is conducting a review on Supported Living services provided to adults with disabilities.

We would like to hear from individuals with experience of, or need for, supported living services through public engagement sessions in various communities. This information will assist us to respond to how best to meet the needs of NWT residents in the future.

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Mr. Speaker, it has been nearly two years since the first COVID-19 cases emerged in China and rapidly spread throughout the world. Throughout the course of this pandemic, we have faced many challenges, yet we have been able to adapt quickly and respond when and where needed as we continue to learn about this disease.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Julie Green, tabled the 2020-2021 Annual Report of the Director of Child and Family Services today in the Legislative Assembly. The Annual Report provides a summary of data on the delivery of services under the NWT’s Child and Family Services Act, Adoption Act, Custom Adoption Recognition Act, and the federal government’s Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth, and families.

The Department of Health and Social Services (HSS) yesterday released a report titled Addiction Recovery Experiences Survey – Results and Analysis. The report provides feedback from individuals, and their families, who used NWT recovery services on their recovery journey.

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Mr. Speaker, it is becoming more common for people to be asked to prove they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. As a result, the GNWT has worked diligently to make sure that NWT residents have a safe, secure proof of vaccination document that is accepted across the country and internationally.