Premier Caroline Cochrane and Municipal and Community Affairs Minister, Paulie Chinna issued the below statement on the flooding situation in Aklavik and the Government of the Northwest Territories response:

“The community of Aklavik declared a State of Local Emergency in the early hours of May 30^th and began an official evacuation of 141 residents earlier this morning in addition to 25 residents evacuated earlier as a result of flood waters breaching the banks of the Mackenzie River.

Premier Cochrane's Itinerary for the week of May 30, 2021

Issued May 28, 2021. If there are any changes, an updated version of the itinerary will be provided on June 2, 2021.

Public Events and Meetings

No public events or meetings are scheduled.

Closed Events and Meetings

The following events are closed to the media

May 31

Check against delivery

Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by welcoming all my colleagues back to the Chamber for this sitting of the 19^th Legislative Assembly. I look forward to providing updates on key issues, and mandate priorities, as well as hearing from Regular Members on issues important to residents over the course of the next seven sitting days.

Premier Cochrane's Itinerary for the week of May 23, 2021

Issued May 21, 2021. If there are any changes, an updated version of the itinerary will be provided on May 26, 2021.

Public Events and Meetings

No public events or meetings are scheduled.

Closed Events and Meetings

The following events are closed to the media

May 24

• Regular Business

May 25

Issued May 14, 2021. If there are any changes, an updated version of the itinerary will be provided on May 19, 2021.

Public Events and Meetings

No public events or meetings are scheduled.

Closed Events and Meetings

The following events are closed to the media

May 17

• The Premier will be chairing a COVID-19 Committee of Cabinet meeting.
• Internal meetings

May 18

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) will donate up to $150,000 to support those impacted by flooding in the Northwest Territories.

Communities in the NWT have experienced flooding that has displaced residents and caused damage to property. In order to assist those in the communities affected by the flooding the GNWT will match donations to the United Way NWT which will then be dispersed to various organizations that are able to provide the necessary aid to residents.

Premier Cochrane along with Ministers Diane Archie, Paulie Chinna and Nahendeh MLA Shane Thompson met late yesterday evening to review the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) response to flooding in the Northwest Territories (NWT) and to discuss next steps.

The Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) is removing the temporary COVID-19 restrictions put in place for  school closures in Yellowknife, Ndilǫ̨, Dettah and Behchokǫ̀, Northwest Territories (NWT).  This order also included after-school and other extracurricular programs. This change is effective May 17, 2021.

Premier Caroline Cochrane and Paulie Chinna, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs and Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation issued the following statement on behalf of Cabinet concerning flooding in Jean Marie River, Fort Simpson, Hay River and Kátł’odeeche First Nation.

Premier Caroline Cochrane today announced the following changes to the senior management in the Northwest Territories public service:

• Eleanor Young is appointed as President and CEO of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC).

Ms. Young moves to the NWTHC from the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) where she served for sixteen years in progressively more senior management roles, including most recently as Deputy Minister since 2016.