Premier Caroline Cochrane announced the following changes to portfolio assignments for Members of the Executive Council today:

Hon. Shane Thompson: Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Minister Responsible for Youth

Hon. Paulie Chinna: Minister Responsible for the Workers Safety and Compensation Commission.

Both Ministers retain the other portfolios already assigned to them.

Appointment orders are being prepared for the Commissioner’s signature and took effect at 5:00pm on Monday, June7, 2021.

Northwest Territories Premier Caroline Cochrane issued the following statement on Pride Month:

“Pride celebrations across Canada began last week, and I am proud to stand in solidarity with all members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, across the country and in the Northwest Territories.

“The month of June is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and all their contributions to what makes the Northwest Territories vibrant and diverse.

Premier Cochrane's Itinerary for the week of June 6, 2021

Issued June 4, 2021. If there are any changes, an updated version of the itinerary will be provided on June 9, 2021.

Public Events and Meetings

No public events or meetings are scheduled.

Closed Events and Meetings

The following events are closed to the media

June 7

• Internal meetings

June 8

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Mr. Speaker, today, Northwest Territories residents will come together to march through the streets of Yellowknife to honour the 215 Indigenous children found at the Kamloops Indian Residential School last week.

This is an important opportunity for all of us as residents of the NWT to come together and show our support for people during this difficult time. It has brought to the surface painful memories for many, and with the strength of the community, we will get through this, together.

Premier Caroline Cochrane, Health and Social Services Minister, Julie Green and Education, Culture and Employment Minister, R.J. Simpson issued the  following statement on the recent COVID-19 outbreak at N.J. Macpherson and the Government of the Northwest Territories’ response:

Today, Premier Caroline Cochrane and Paulie Chinna, Minister Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA), announced two senior management officials have been assigned as Pathfinders to support flood impacted communities.

These Pathfinders have been assigned to travel to impacted communities and work with community leadership to confirm needs and preferred approaches. They will provide immediate assistance in answering questions about the process around flooding, to provide further information where and as needed.

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Mr. Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenging time for all of us. Like all jurisdictions, our initial response was focused on public health measures.

To date, we have been successful in protecting the health and safety of our residents thanks to the actions we took early, and the commitment from residents to follow the public health orders and recommendations in order to limit the spread of COVID-19.

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Mr. Speaker, before I begin my statement today I want to acknowledge that many people, including those that work in and around this Legislative Assembly and government, are being retraumatized by the confirmation of the mass grave of Indigenous children at the Kamloops Indian Residential School.  I am providing this notice so that those who are hurting may choose not to listen if they will be triggered by what I say.

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