As of 12:00pm today, the Minister of Health and Social Services, Diane Thom, has declared a territory-wide Public Health Emergency under the Northwest Territories Public Health Act in response to  the COVID-19 global pandemic to protect public health in the Northwest Territories.

The Public Health Emergency was declared upon the recommendation of Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola, and is in effect from March 18 through April 1.

Premier Caroline Cochrane issued the following statement on the passing of former Commissioner John Havelock Parker:

I am sad to learn of the passing of John Parker this past Monday, March 9. Mr. Parker moved north in 1954 to work in mining, eventually becoming manager of Rayrock Mine, and then President of Precambrian Mining Services Ltd. In 1959, he was elected as a Councillor for the Town of Yellowknife, serving for five years, before successfully running as Mayor of Yellowknife in 1964.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the members of this Assembly for taking the step of suspending its current sitting after today to allow Cabinet and the public service greater opportunity to prepare for the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Although there remains no reported case in the NWT, our government continues to prepare for the impact of this pandemic.  Hour to hour, we are monitoring the state of the COVID-19 situation as it continues to evolve. I want to share with the Assembly some of the actions and planning that is underway.

The top priority for the Government of the Northwest Territories  (GNWT) is the health and safety of Northwest Territories (NWT) residents, and we are taking proactive measure to be prepared to respond to COVID-19 as the situation evolves.

There are currently no cases of COVID-19 in the NWT, and the risk of acquiring the virus in the NWT and Canada remains low at this time.

Check against delivery 

Good afternoon, I’m here to talk to the residents of the Northwest Territories about COVID-19.

Earlier today I was absent in the house, and session, to participate on a call from 11 o’clock to 1 o’clock with the Prime Minister and all Premiers across Canada. All Premiers are concerned about COVID-19, and we are all taking precautionary measures to limit the spread and associated impacts throughout Canada.

Premier Caroline Cochrane tabled the 2019-2023 Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) in the Legislative Assembly today.

Developed to meet the needs and aspirations of NWT residents, the 2019-2023 Mandate of the GNWT will guide how government will take action on the 22 Priorities of the 19^th Legislative Assembly.

Check Against Delivery

Mr. Speaker, later today, I will be tabling the Mandate of the GNWT 2019-2023. The Mandate will guide our actions as a government and serve to hold Cabinet accountable as we work to advance the priorities of the 19^th Legislative Assembly.

The Northwest Territories faces unprecedented challenges.  We have been elected in a time of global economic uncertainty, increasingly complex social issues, and multifaceted impacts of climate change.

Premier Caroline Cochrane today announced that Dr. Erin Kelly has been named Deputy Minister of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) and that Mr. Andy Bevan has been named the Associate Deputy Minister, Post-Secondary Education Renewal, and President of Aurora College.

Check agaisnt delivery 

Thank you. Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and  Tsleil-Waututht First Nations.

It’s a pleasure to be here today among partners from the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and Gwich’in Tribal Council to celebrate a milestone for our local minerals industry.