Caroline Cochrane, Premier of the Northwest Territories, and Julie Green, Minister of Health and Social Services, issued the following statement on the COVID-19 vaccine approval for children aged five to 11:

“The announcement by Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) that children aged five to 11 are now eligible to get the Comirnaty (Pfizer) COVID-19 vaccine is an important moment in our fight against the virus.

Diploma Exams and Alberta Achievement Tests (AATs) have been disrupted in the Northwest Territories (NWT) over the last two school years due to COVID-19. While recognizing the learning impacts the pandemic has had on students, and balancing the importance of monitoring the education system as a whole, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) will administer these tests with accommodations for the 2021-2022 school year.

These accommodations include: 

The attached is being released on behalf of the Intergovernmental Council of the Northwest Territories.

Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Shane Thompson and Great Slave MLA Katrina Nokleby issued the following joint statement on COP26 and climate action in the NWT:

“Our territory took a strong message to COP26 this year - that the NWT has been and will continue to face some of the most significant impacts of climate change.

“While the NWT continues to do our part to reach emission targets, the northern context is unique and requires special consideration surrounding the expectations and support by the federal government.

The Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Shane Thompson, has extended the State of Emergency in the City of Yellowknife. This extension is being made under s.14 of the Emergency Management Act.

The extension continues through November 29, 2021.

This State of Emergency was initially instated to address the need for additional shelter space as a result of ongoing capacity limitations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The attached is being distributed on behalf of The attached is being distributed on behalf of the Tłı̨chǫ Government, Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government, Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated, Gwich’in Tribal Council, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, and the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Ministerial Activities Advisory for the week of November 16-22, 2021

Ministerial Travel

Please note that travel schedules may change with little or no notice. This schedule is accurate as of November 15, 2021

• Caroline Wawzonek will be traveling to Fort Smith with Thebacha MLA Frieda Martselos on November 17.

Meetings and Appearances

Please note that event organizers may have attendance restrictions­­­ for their event. Contact organizers for more information.

Premier Cochrane's Itinerary for the week of November 14, 2021

Issued November 12, 2021. If there are any changes, an updated version of the itinerary will be provided on November 17, 2021.

Public Events and Meetings

No public events or meetings are scheduled.

Closed Events and Meetings

The following events are closed to the media

November 14

Northwest Territories Premier Caroline Cochrane issued the following statement on Remembrance Day:

“Today is a time to honour the Canadian men and women in uniform who have served and continue to serve to protect the rights and freedoms that we as Canadians enjoy today. They have helped build and maintain peace and have defended democracy so people around the world can continue to live free of oppression. We thank you for your service.

The NWT will become the second jurisdiction in Canada to integrate a Statement of Environmental Values into government decision-making.

The creation of a Statement of Environmental Values is a requirement under the Environmental Rights Act, which was amended in 2019. The Statement explains how environmental considerations, including the right to a healthy environment, will be integrated into decisions that might have a significant impact on the environment.

The Draft Statement of Environmental Values is built upon seven principles: