Premier Caroline Cochrane and Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs and Environment and Climate Change Shane Thompson issued the following statement today regarding the evacuations of Hay River and the Kátł’odeeche First Nation due to an ongoing wildfire in the area:

“This weekend, an aggressive wildfire forced residents of Hay River and the Kátł’odeeche First Nation to evacuate their homes. The situation is evolving rapidly, and it is critical that residents not return to their communities at this time.

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Mr. Speaker, homelessness is a reality that far too many people experience. The factors that contribute to homelessness are  complex, and unique to each individual who experiences it. The challenges and solutions vary by community, and differ in the Northwest Territories compared to urban centres in the South. This is why we need an all-of-government strategy to address homelessness in the Northwest Territories.

The attached is being distributed on behalf of Indigenous governments, Indigenous organizations of the Northwest Territories, and the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT).

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Mr. Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic challenged our entire society on a fundamental level, forcing us to grow and adapt in the face of unprecedented threats to the health and wellbeing of our loved ones and our communities. Three years since the outbreak of the pandemic, it is still easy for many of us to recall the fear and uncertainty of those early days, as the world searched for answers amid reports of rapidly rising death tolls.

Premier Caroline Cochrane today issued the following statement:

“This afternoon, federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland unveiled the 2023 Federal Budget. I, like many Northerners, have been eagerly awaiting its release to learn how it will support residents of the Northwest Territories (NWT).

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Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge the recent addition of the Legislative Assembly’s Process Convention related to the introduction, consideration, and enactment of bills under the Intergovernmental Council Legislative Development Protocol. I do not often get to express appreciation for the work of the Legislative Assembly as led by you Mr. Speaker, and supported by the Clerk and your staff. This new process convention is another example of the Northwest Territories leading the way in collaboration with Indigenous governments.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is pleased to announce the launch of a new comprehensive online funding program information portal. Available on the main GNWT website, the new portal will make it easy for residents to find and apply for government funding opportunities.

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Members of Cabinet met yesterday with federal Ministers to discuss increases to federal health care funding.

Premier Caroline Cochrane was joined by Minister of Health and Social Services Julie Green and Minister of Finance Caroline Wawzonek in a meeting with federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities Dominic LeBlanc and federal Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos.

Premier Caroline Cochrane has made the following change to senior management in the Northwest Territories public service.

Dr. Erin Kelly is appointed as Deputy Minister of the new Department of Environment and Climate Change, effective April 1, 2023. The Deputy Minister of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) since February 2020, Dr. Kelly played a key leadership role for the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) in bringing to successful conclusion negotiations to establish Thaidene Nëné and Ts’udé Nilįné Tuyeta.