Ministerial Activities Advisory for the week of January 12-18, 2021

Ministerial Travel

Please note that travel schedules may change with little or no notice. This schedule is accurate as of January 11, 2021

·       Shane Thompson will be attending a meeting with Norman Wells Mayor and Council on January 18 in Norman Wells.

Meetings and Appearances

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

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released its first progress reports on our territory-wide approach to climate change. 

Strengthening the government’s leadership and authority on climate change, ensuring climate change impacts are specifically considered when making government decisions as well as reducing the cost of power and increasing the use of alternative and renewable energy, are priorities of the Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2019-2023.

Premier Cochrane's Itinerary for the week of January 10, 2021.

Issued January 8, 2021. If there are any changes, an updated version of the itinerary will be provided on January 13, 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 11

The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre (PWNHC) is proud to present a new contemporary art exhibit showcasing two artists. Covered Ground brings together art by Tracey Bryant and Rhonda Harder Epp to depict northern lichen and landscapes.  

Bryant is a painter and art teacher from Yellowknife, NT who works in acrylic and encaustic media (a technique using melted wax). Her work includes detailed depictions of lichen and patterns found in the rocks of the Canadian Shield.

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: