Check Against Delivery

Mr. Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic is a global crisis on a level the world has not seen in generations. Taking action to slow its spread and protect public health has required leadership from all levels of government.

Today I would like to highlight the work that has been done by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and the Emergency Management Organization in response to COVID-19.

Mr. Speaker, COVID-19 has affected all areas of social and economic activity in the Northwest Territories and around the world. As the pandemic has evolved and jurisdictions have been able to manage its spread, all governments are looking at the public health measures that have been put in place and are continuing to adjust them.

Caroline Cochrane, Premier of the Northwest Territories, Diane Thom, Minister of Health and Social Services, and Dr. Kami Kandola, Chief Public Health Officer issued the following joint statement today to clarify the existing Public Health Order – COVID-19 Travel Restrictions and Self-Isolation Protocol:

“Travel restrictions are a legitimate and necessary measure implemented by the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and mitigate its impact on Northwest Territories (NWT) residents, communities and the health care system.

The Department of Industry, Tourism, and Investment is providing increased safety funding to commercial fishers working on the Great Slave Lake, Tathlina Lake, or Kakisa Lake.

Up to $10,000 (based on 2019 production) will be made available to individual fishers under the Commercial Fisheries Industry Safety Support Program to equip their fishing vessels with the safety equipment needed to meet both COVID-19 protection measures and Transport Canada’s Fishing Vessel Safety Regulations.

Issued June 9, 2020.

Public Events and Meetings

The Premier will participate in the sitting of the Legislative Assembly

Closed Events and Meetings

The following events are closed to the media

The Premier will chair a Cabinet House Strategy meeting

The Premier will attend a meeting of the Economic Diversification and Growth and Environment Committee of Cabinet

The Premier will chair a meeting of Northern Premiers

Internal meetings.

All meetings and events subject to change.

The Department of Industry, Tourism, and Investment will be opening its Northwest Territories (NWT) Parks Reservation system on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 for campsite bookings beginning Friday (June 12, 2020) at 5pm.

This decision is being made in anticipation of a move to Phase II of the Emerging Wisely Plan, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) path forward to emerging safely and wisely from the current COVID-19 public health restrictions.

The territory-wide Public Health Emergency and State of Emergency have been extended in the Northwest Territories. Both extensions will take effect as of June 10, 2020 and expire on June 23, 2020.

Minister of Health and Social Services Diane Thom extended the territory-wide Public Health Emergency under the Northwest Territories’ Public Health Act on the recommendation of Chief Public Health Officer Kami Kandola.

Check Against Delivery

Mr. Speaker, when students at Aurora College left for March break they were unaware of the uncertainty that the pandemic would bring to so many aspects of their lives, including if they would remain on track to achieve their education and career goals. I would like to share with you today some of the challenges and innovative solutions that the team at Aurora College implemented to support their students and their communities.

Check Against Delivery

I would like to begin today, Mr. Speaker, by commending the courage and resolve of our front line staff responding to this unprecedented public health emergency.

Issued June 8, 2020.

Public Events and Meetings

The Premier will appear on CKLB radio at 7:45 a.m.

The Premier will participate in the sitting of the Legislative Assembly

Closed Events and Meetings

The following events are closed to the media

The Premier will chair a Cabinet House Strategy Meeting

The Premier will attend a meeting of Caucus

All meetings and events subject to change.

For Ministerial Media Requests, Contact:

Cabinet Communications