Check against delivery 

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to provide an update to Northerners on the 2019 novel coronavirus. I would like to assure residents that at this time the risk of contracting this virus is low in the NWT.

Since the coronavirus was first reported in the Hubei Province of China, our Government and the Federal Government have moved quickly to ensure we are prepared. Our public health and emergency preparations are well underway and we will continue to monitor the situation as it develops.

After a productive meeting between the board of the Foster Family Coalition of the NWT, Minister Diane Thom and officials from the Department of Health and Social Services, and the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority, have agreed to find new ways to collaborate for addressing the on-the-ground and in the home needs of caregivers, and for addressing challenges within the child and family services system.

In support of the goal to eliminate poverty in the Northwest Territories, the Government of the Northwest Territories would like to remind the public that applications for the 2020-2021 Anti-Poverty Fund are currently being received. The initial call for applications was sent to Indigenous Governments, Community Governments and Non-Government Organizations on December 10, 2019.

The attached is being released on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, NorthwesTel, Strongest Families Institute, and Bell Let’s Talk.

As part of its commitment to supporting health promotion and prevention activities, the Government of the Northwest Territories is pleased to announce that it is now accepting  applications for the Healthy Choices Fund. The annual funding is $400,000, with a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $75,000 per fiscal year.

The objectives of the Healthy Choices Fund include:

Released in August 2019, the Child and Family Services System’s Quality Improvement Plan identified 70 action items to improve the Child and Family Services System in order to achieve better outcomes for children, youth, and their families.

To date, approximately 33% of the action items in the Plan have been completed. These include:

The Public Health Order issued from the NWT Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) on May 17, 2019 for the Hay River Mackenzie Place Apartment building continues to remain in place to protect individuals from potential health hazards.

Immediately after the fire at the apartment building on March 15, 2019, the building was evacuated and closed. The building has remained closed due to the confirmed presence of hazardous materials, including asbestos, lead, and mercury.  Water damaged materials have supported the growth of mould, which presents an additional hazard.

Earlier this week, Minister of Health and Social Services, Diane Thom, tabled the 2018-2019 Annual Report of the Director of Child and Family Services (CFS) in the Legislative Assembly.

The report provides data on child and family services program delivery throughout the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to share with the Members of this Legislative Assembly my reflections as a new Minister of Health and Social Services.

I have spent my first few weeks as Minister receiving a series of comprehensive briefings from both the Department of Health and Social Services and the Health and Social Services Authorities.  I have had the opportunity to meet with the Leadership Council, senior management, as well as staff.

The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) is pleased to announce the official launch of the travelling workshop, The Dope Experience, developed for Northwest Territories  (NWT) youth covering topics such as substance use, mental wellness, and community health.