Today, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) released the GNWT COVID-19 vaccination strategy titled Immunity for our Communities: The Northwest Territories’ COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy for residents of the Northwest Territories (NWT).

The strategy was developed by the Department of Health and Social Services with  input from Indigenous governments and community leadership. It was also built on recommendations from the National Advisory Council for Immunizations (NACI).

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 January 19, 2021. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated considerably across Canada in recent weeks as the country’s caseload surged to its highest point in the pandemic.

Premier Cochrane's Itinerary for the week of January 3, 2021.

Issued January 4, 2021. If there are any changes, an updated version of the itinerary will be provided on January 6, 2021.

Public Events and Meetings

No public events or meetings are scheduled.

Closed Events and Meetings

The following events are closed to the media

January 4

• The Premier will be participating in an Economic Diversification and Growth & Environment Committee of Cabinet meeting.
• Internal Meetings

January 5

YELLOWKNIFE (December 31, 2020) – Protecting residents against COVID-19 has been the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) biggest priority since the pandemic began, and today, the GNWT began COVID-19 vaccinations of Northwest Territories (NWT) residents. The first group to receive their vaccinations included residents and staff at the Jimmy Erasmus Seniors Home in Behchokǫ̀ and AVENS Manor in Yellowknife.

Yellowknife (December 31, 2020)— The Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Paulie Chinna 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 January 14, 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.

YELLOWKNIFE, NT (December 23, 2020) – Julie Green, Minister of Health and Social Services, issued the following media statement today:

YELLOWKNIFE (December 22, 2020) – Premier Caroline Cochrane today announced the appointment of Steve Loutitt as the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure (INF) for the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT).

Mr. Loutitt has over 30 years’ experience working in the public service in progressively senior roles within the former Department of Transportation and Department of Infrastructure, most recently as Acting Deputy Minister. He was appointed as Assistant Deputy Minister, Regional Operations in March 2020.

YELLOWKNIFE (DECEMBER 22, 2020) – 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 January 5, 2021. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated considerably across Canada in recent weeks as the country’s caseload surged to its highest point in the pandemic.

YELLOWKNIFE (December 21, 2020 ) – The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) has waived tourism insurance requirements and licensing fees for the 2021-22 fiscal year as COVID-19 impacts on tourism operators continue.

Under the Tourism Act, all tourism operators providing tourism services in the NWT are required to have a valid Tourism Operator Licence (TOL) with prescribed support documents including proof of insurance.

Returning students and persons with specific legal situations requiring travel will continue to have their stays at regional isolation centres fully covered by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) in the New Year.

Changes to the GNWT’s Isolation Payment Policy were unveiled December 1 and take effect beginning January 5, 2021.