Yellowknife

Public Health Emergency Extended Through March 30

Minister of Health and Social Services, Julie Green has extended the territory-wide Public Health Emergency under the Northwest Territories’ Public Health Act on the advice of Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) Dr. Kami Kandola.

The latest extension continues through March 30, 2021. 

The Public Health Emergency is required to continue to decisively respond to shifts in the NWT’s own public health situation, and maintain preventative measures.

Vaccinations Started for Non-Residents Workers on Mineral and Petroleum Projects in the NWT

Following direction from the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO), the Northwest Territories (NWT) began offering COVID-19 vaccines to non-resident rotational workers at mineral and petroleum projects. This new priority group began receiving vaccines on Friday, March 12, 2021.

Included in this priority group are workers at Imperial Oil in Norman Wells, as well as mines operated by Rio Tinto (Diavik), Dominion (Ekati), and De Beers (Gahcho Kué). Other non-resident rotational workers will continue to be considered by the CPHO on a case-by-case basis.

If You’ve Bought Moss Balls This Year, Destroy Them - GNWT Raises Alarm After Zebra Mussels Discovered

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is raising the alarm after a report of a dangerous invasive species being found in moss balls sold in the NWT.

Moss balls, often sold as Marimo moss balls, are green algae commonly used to increase water quality in aquariums.

Government of the Northwest Territories Releases Revised Long Term Care Projections

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released updated long term care bed projections for the Northwest Territories.

Today in the Legislative Assembly, the Minister of Health and Social Services tabled, Projected Demand for Long Term Care Beds in the NWT and the Department’s Response to Long Term Care Bed Projections.

Government of the Northwest Territories Announces Minimum Wage Increase

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, R.J. Simpson announced today an increase to the Northwest Territories (NWT) Minimum Wage.

Effective September 1, 2021, the minimum wage will increase from $13.46 per hour to $15.20 per hour.

This decision was informed by research and options provided by the Minimum Wage Committee, which was established in 2013 to advise the Minister of Education Culture and Employment. The Minimum Wage Committee is comprised of representatives from business, labour and community organizations across the territory.

R.J. Simpson: Minimum Wage Increase

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Mr. Speaker, on September 1, 2021 the minimum wage in the Northwest Territories will increase from $13.46 per hour to $15.20 per hour, making it the second highest minimum wage in Canada behind Nunavut. Since the last increase in 2018, the cost of living and the average hourly wage in the NWT have risen. This increase ensures that the minimum wage does not fall behind, brings our minimum to average wage ratio more in line with the rest of Canada, and makes us more competitive with our neighbouring jurisdictions.

Julie Green: Long-Term Care Bed Projections

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Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories knows how important it is to enable Seniors to age in place with dignity as loved and valued members of our communities. That is why the 19th Legislative Assembly has identified this as one of the 22 priorities in the Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories.  We are taking a whole-of-government approach to create the conditions in which Seniors will be able to stay at home as they age.

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