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Mr. Speaker, I wish to inform Members that the Chief Public Health Officer has released two public health advisories today.

The first indicates the two positive COVID-19 tests in Yellowknife first announced as presumptive cases on Friday have been confirmed. The individuals continue to safely isolate. We appreciate their cooperation with the investigation into contacts, and we wish them well.

A thorough contact investigation continues, initial signs are good.

Two new programs to support harvesters and families going out on the land in 2020-2021 are now taking applications.

·       The Take a Family on the Land Program provides up to $10,000 in funding to engage families in outdoor learning experiences that encompass northern perspectives, values and practices. Applications are being accepted from NWT Indigenous governments and organizations, community governments and not-for-profit associations.

Premier Cochrane's Itinerary for October 21, 2020

Issued October 20, 2020.

Public Events and Meetings

The Premier will be participating in a sitting of the Legislative Assembly.

Closed Events and Meetings

The following events are closed to the media

The Premier will be chairing a Cabinet House Strategy meeting. 

The Premier will be participating in a Financial Management Board meeting.

Internal Meetings

All meetings and events subject to change.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to update the Members on the progress we have made with our mandate commitment to reduce the municipal funding gap by $5 million in the life of this government.

We recognize the important role that community governments play in our economy and the provision of core programs and services. Community governments are essential partners in delivering programs and services to meet the need of NWT residents, and they require adequate resources for this important work.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is responsible for the implementation of the NWT Water Stewardship Strategy, including transboundary water management agreements and water monitoring throughout the Northwest Territories. Together with our partners, we track long-term trends and monitor changes in water quality, quantity and biology.

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment has released a comparison of the NWT’s mining regime against 21 Canadian and international jurisdictions.

The PricewaterhouseCoopers report Tax and royalty benchmark - Mining in the Northwest Territories marks the first post-Devolution review of the Northwest Territories (NWT) tax and royalty system and provides an up-to-date reference point on its ranking.

It highlights where the NWT’s industry is positioned in comparison to a decade ago.

Ministerial Activities Advisory for the week of October 20-26, 2020

Ministerial Travel

Please note that travel schedules may change with little or no notice. This schedule is accurate as of October 19, 2020

There is no travel scheduled for this time period

Meetings and Appearances

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

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Mr. Speaker, this government is committed to making its programs, services and functions accessible to people in as many ways as possible. We are also committed to keeping up with the worldwide shift towards online portals to access information and services of all kinds.

Our goal is that to the greatest extent possible, people should be able to access Government of the Northwest Territories’ programs and services how they want, where they want, and when they want.

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Mr. Speaker, despite the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Government of Northwest Territories has continued to roll out energy initiatives under the 2030 Energy Strategy Action Plan that will help ensure NWT residents, communities, businesses and industry have access to secure, affordable and sustainable energy.

Premier Cochrane's Itinerary for October 19, 2020

Issued October 16, 2020.

Public Events and Meetings

The Premier will be participating in a sitting of the Legislative Assembly.

Closed Events and Meetings

The following events are closed to the media

The Premier will be chairing a Cabinet House Strategy meeting. 

All meetings and events subject to change.

For Ministerial Media Requests, Contact:

Cabinet Communications

Government of the Northwest Territories