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.

In an effort to ensure Santa Claus is able to safely and effectively deliver toys to children in the Northwest Territories (NWT) on December 25, the Government of the Northwest Territories has declared Mr. Claus a seasonal essential worker and granted a four-hour self-isolation exemption.

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 1, 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.

Today, the Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT) Department of Infrastructure (INF) has posted its presentation on the planned capital spending for the year ahead as part of its annual Industry Day.

Every year, INF hosts Industry Day, inviting potential contractors and people interested in doing business with the GNWT to attend a presentation on the planned capital spending for the upcoming fiscal year.

With the risk of COVID rising during the holiday season, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released Holiday Guidelines to help Northwest Territories (NWT) residents and communities celebrate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Guidelines are based on Public Health Orders and include best practices for making the season merry while protecting ourselves and each other.

Key guidance on celebrating this holiday season includes:

Check against delivery.

Good afternoon.

This is an exciting and long-anticipated day for our territory.

As our federal colleagues confirmed yesterday, I am pleased to confirm that the Northwest Territories expects to receive enough of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for 75% of eligible NWT adult residents, 18 years of age or older.