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Mr. Speaker, today I am going to provide an update on COVID-19 vaccine rollout in the Northwest Territories.
As Members are aware, the NWT started delivering the COVID-19 vaccine to priority residents on December 31, 2020. Rollout began only a week after Health Canada approved the use of the Moderna vaccine in Canada, and only three days after the territory received its first shipment.
The February deadline for NWT Arts Council grant submissions has been extended to April 15th 2021. This submission deadline is for artists or territorial organizations that are producing artistic works, project or events in the Northwest Territories between April 2021 and March 2022.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, this extension will allow artists and organizations more time to adjust their plans for the rest of the year for which the grants apply.
Please note that travel schedules may change with little or no notice. This schedule is accurate as of February 8, 2021
There is no travel scheduled for this time period.
Please note that event organizers may have attendance restrictions for their event. Contact organizers for more information.
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Issued February 5, 2021. If there are any changes, an updated version of the itinerary will be provided on February 10, 2021.
The following events are closed to the media
February 8
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Mr. Speaker, in my time as the Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation I have made it a priority to travel to communities to listen to what our residents are telling us about housing and then seeking solutions to the barriers that are identified. Homeownership is a goal for many of us, but it can be a challenge. The costs of owning and maintaining a home can be expensive, and out of reach for many of us, especially those in rural and remote communities.
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Mr. Speaker, the Public Land Act received assent on August 21, 2019, at the end of the 18th Legislative Assembly. The new Public Land Act consolidates the existing Northwest Territories Lands Act and the Commissioner’s Land Act into one cohesive land management regime. To bring the Act into force, new regulations must be developed.
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Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to strengthening our leadership and authority on climate change as well as enhancing efforts to stabilize the cost of power and increase the use of alternative and renewable energy. As part of these commitments, our government has made almost $26 million in energy-related investments this past year, which are highlighted in the 2019-20 Energy Initiatives Report, which was released in January.
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Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek released the 2021-22 Budget, the second budget of the 19th Legislative Assembly.
Total revenues of $2.192 billion are expected in 2021‑22 and total expenditures of $2.124 billion, which include spending for programs and services and infrastructure contributions. The 2021‑22 surplus is forecasted to be $69 million.
