The Minister of Health and Social Services announced today that the Northwest Territories Health and Social Service Authority (NTHSSA), the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority (HRHSSA) and the Tlicho Community Services Agency (TCSA) all received accreditation status from Accreditation Canada.

System accreditation is an important and major milestone for our health and social services system. It signals that our system meets fundamental national standards of practice, policies and programs.

A strong local supply-chain for critical Personal Protective Equipment has been secured for businesses and care providers.

NWT Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola has authorized two Northwest Territories manufacturers to create reusable face shields meeting Health Canada specifications for use in public settings in the NWT. 

Poison Graphics of Hay River and ArTech Engrave of Yellowknife each submitted rigorous proposals and specifications which were evaluated and accepted by Dr. Kandola and her public health staff.

Check Against Delivery

Mr. Speaker, earlier I spoke about our public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Today I would like to highlight how our health and social services system is responding to this unprecedented challenge.

With a reduction in test volume, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is pausing weekend updates on COVID-19 testing.

Tests normally reported on Saturdays, Sundays, and statutory holidays will now be reported on Monday, or the day after the statutory holiday falls.

The territory-wide Public Health Emergency and State of Emergency have been extended in the Northwest Territories. Both extensions will take effect as of May 27, 2020 and expire on June 9, 2020.

Minister of Health and Social Services Diane Thom extended the territory-wide Public Health Emergency under the Northwest Territories Public Health Act on the recommendation of Chief Public Health Officer Kami Kandola.

Check Against Delivery 

Mr. Speaker, in the past few months, we have asked people to change the way we live, work and socialize in order to protect our territory against COVID-19.  This is by far.  the most significant public health crisis we have faced in decades.  

Today, I would like to reflect on the public health measures we have put in place and how we will continue to protect our territory, while bringing some stability back to our lives.

Leadership continues from local business across the Northwest Territories (NWT) in filling the need for high-quality sanitizer during the COVID-19 crisis.

As global supply chains became challenged, 62 Degrees North medical supplies stepped up to deliver local hand sanitizer to protect residents and businesses from the virus.

Today, the Northwest Territories (NWT) takes its first careful steps towards a more open society.

As announced on May 12^th, the territory needed to complete several essential steps to move into relaxing phase one of eased measures outlined in the Emerging Wisely Plan shared with residents by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) earlier this week.

The territory-wide Public Health Emergency and State of Emergency have been extended in the Northwest Territories. Both extensions will take effect as of May 13, 2020 and expire on May 26, 2020.

These extensions are due to the continued need for response to the COVID-19 global pandemic to protect public health in the Northwest Territories and do not indicate a significant change in circumstances or an increased risk to the people of the NWT.

Today, the GNWT charted a path to emerging from the current public health measures implemented to contain COVID-19 in the NWT – and the easing could start within a week.

The plan, titled Emerging Wisely, outlines where we are today, how we got here, and a five-part approach for gradually moving the territory from the containment measures in-place today through four phases of eased measures. The path includes progressively-eased restrictions on people, businesses, and activities important to residents.