The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is unable to resume services to homeless Yellowknife residents at the Aspen Apartments on 51 Street at this time. The Aspen Apartments location had been used to provide meals as well as washroom and shower facilities to supplement the NWT Disabilities Council Day Shelter/Sobering Centre on 50th Street. The NWTDC shelter is operating at reduced capacity because of pandemic public health orders limiting indoor gathering sizes.

Today, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) released Emerging Wisely 2021: Step by Step Together, its plan for easing and ending pandemic restrictions.

The plan outlines the public health restrictions that will be eased starting today. This plan sets specific targets based on vaccination levels in the NWT and across Canada as well as COVID-19 case counts. As these targets are reached, restrictions will be eased or discontinued until eventually no public health restrictions remain.

Julie Green, Minister Responsible for Persons with Disabilities is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2021 Persons with Disabilities Inclusion Awards.

The Persons with Disabilities Accessibility and Inclusion Awards Ceremony is hosted annually by the Minister Responsible for Persons with Disabilities and coincides with National AccessAbility Week.

This year’s recipients are:

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 June 22, 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.

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Mr. Speaker, June is the month we make a special point of acknowledging and celebrating Seniors for their contributions to our families and communities.

Premier Caroline Cochrane, Health and Social Services Minister, Julie Green and Education, Culture and Employment Minister, R.J. Simpson issued the  following statement on the recent COVID-19 outbreak at N.J. Macpherson and the Government of the Northwest Territories’ response:

Feedback on the public engagement discussion paper regarding the Nursing Profession Act has been compiled and is available in the What We Heard Report – Amendments to the NWT Nursing Profession Act.

The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) gathered feedback and recommendations in response to a Discussion Paper on proposed policy elements. These elements  will lay the groundwork to amend the Nursing Profession Act by creating one regulatory framework for all nursing professionals in the NWT.

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Mr. Speaker, we continue to navigate our ever-changing circumstances as the pandemic continues around the world. After a long winter, I am sure we are all looking forward to summer, fresh air, and outdoor activities.

The Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) will now offer exemptions from self-isolation requirements for travellers from the Yukon who are arriving or plan to arrive in the Northwest Territories (NWT). 

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Mr. Speaker, many NWT residents are living with some form of disability. They are our neighbors, co-workers, family members, leaders, and friends.  We are grateful for the contributions that persons with disabilities make in the territory. For this reason, we continue to advance work to ensure all residents are able to participate fully in all communities, without barriers.