The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE), the Premiers of Canada Council of the Federation, and the NWT Literacy Council are pleased to be accepting nominations for the annual NWT Literacy Awards. These annual awards provide an opportunity to honour the literacy achievements of youth and adult learners, exceptional educators, and organizations and businesses across the territory. 

Up to nine literacy awards may be given each year, including eight Ministerial Literacy Awards and the Premiers of Canada Council of the Federation of Literacy Award for the NWT.

The GNWT has established a new funding program to provide non-profit organizations and Indigenous governments with funding for infrastructure repairs and retrofits to support the creation of new centre-based child care spaces in communities.

Following the reopening of Driver and Motor Vehicle (DMV) offices, the Government of Northwest Territories’ (GNWT) has extended expiration dates on Northwest Territories (NWT) driver’s licences, general identification cards and motor vehicle certificates of registration.

As Emerging Wisely moves forward, Public Health officials are working closely with businesses and organizations to alter their standard practices to get activities ahead more.

Last week, return-to-play plans for some high-profile organizations were approved after submission to the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer.

These approvals are provided as Exceptional Circumstances Exemptions under the public health orders on Phase 2 of Emerging Wisely. In these instances, activities were moved from Phase 3 to Phase 2.

As the Department of Industry, Tourism, and Investment (ITI) continues to adjust its program delivery to reflect the COVID-19 environment, the Tourism Business Mentorships will be delivered virtually this year.

The Tourism Business Mentorship Program provides opportunities and resources for interested NWT tourism operators (Mentees) to learn and benefit from experienced industry professionals (Mentors). 

Changes to two laws governing activities in the oil and gas sector in the Northwest Territories are now in force.

Amendments to the Petroleum Resources Act and Oil and Gas Operations Act, including stronger transparency and accountability provisions, were passed in August 2019 by the 18^th Legislative Assembly after an extensive public consultation process.

With guidelines and communications materials now in place, these best-practice amendments took effect on July 23, 2020.

Today, Minister of Finance Caroline Wawzonek announced that the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) will extend the wage top-up program for an additional eight weeks to match the federal extension of the Canada Emergency Relief Benefit (CERB) to October 3, 2020.

Premier Cochrane's Itinerary for July 27, 2020

Issued July 24, 2020.

Public Events and Meetings

No public events are scheduled

Closed Events and Meetings

The following events are closed to the media

The Premier will chair a meeting of the COVID-19 Committee of Cabinet

Internal meetings

All meetings and events subject to change.

For Ministerial Media Requests, Contact:

Cabinet Communications

Government of the Northwest Territories

Premier Cochrane's Itinerary for July 24, 2020

Issued July 23, 2020.

Internal meetings

All meetings and events subject to change.

For Ministerial Media Requests, Contact:

Cabinet Communications

Government of the Northwest Territories

presssecretary@gov.nt.ca

Premier Caroline Cochrane announced the following changes to the Executive Council today: