​​​​​​Good afternoon. Thank you for being here today.

I would like to thank Minister Green, and Mayor Alty from the City of Yellowknife for also joining us.

Today I am here to announce that I have made the decision to enact a State of Emergency for the City of Yellowknife, for the purpose of addressing the emergency faced by the homeless residents of Yellowknife, and the need to provide them with temporary shelter.

The attached is being distributed on behalf of the City of Yellowknife and the Government of the Northwest Territories.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is pleased to announce, in partnership with the Federal government, the successful distribution of $1.583 million in COVID-19 emergency support funding. This funding is being provided for sport organizations by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations.

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Madam Speaker, today I am pleased to announce the successful distribution of $1.583 million in COVID-19 emergency support funding for sport organizations. This funding has been provided by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations. 

The attached is being distributed on behalf of the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories.

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Mr. Speaker, in the spring of 1999, a small community in southern Ontario called Walkerton made national news because of the deaths and sickness that were linked to contamination in the municipality’s drinking water supply.  This incident served as a wake-up call for municipalities and governments across Canada to take stock of the state of drinking water supplies in communities across the nation.

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Mr. Speaker, today I wish to provide an update on the on-going efforts of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs to work with community government partners to support the COVID-19 pandemic response.

We have all been affected by COVID-19.  Taking action to slow the spread and protect public health has required leaders from all levels of government to act and adjust operations in order to continue serving Northwest Territories residents.

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) is seeking nominations for the NWT Fire Service Merit Awards.

Based on nominations from community members, fire departments and fire chiefs, the NWT Fire Service Merit Awards honour and recognize individuals and community fire departments for their significant contributions to fire safety and fire service in communities across the Northwest Territories (NWT).

Mr. Speaker, I would like to update the Members on the progress we have made with our mandate commitment to reduce the municipal funding gap by $5 million in the life of this government.

We recognize the important role that community governments play in our economy and the provision of core programs and services. Community governments are essential partners in delivering programs and services to meet the need of NWT residents, and they require adequate resources for this important work.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is requiring certain non-residents to pay isolation centre costs.

Since the beginning of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the GNWT has been paying the costs of all stays in the territory’s four isolation centres. The amended policy adjusts that approach for some individuals.