Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) Minister R.J. Simpson met via videoconference with Northwest Territories (NWT) Education Leaders, and the NWT Teachers’ Association (NWTTA) on September 15, 2020 to resume in-depth planning for the school year. 

The leaders discussed progress that has been achieved thus far in the school year and planned for further provisions of personal protective equipment and supplies for schools related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is pleased to announce new and enhanced programs to support harvesters and families going out on the land this fall. These programs reflect the importance of increasing food security through locally-harvested food and are a direct response to the challenges our communities are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Premier Caroline Cochrane released mandate letters for all members of Cabinet today.

Ministerial mandate letters provide more specific direction to each Minister on their individual responsibilities for carrying out the priorities of the 19th Legislative Assembly and the commitments identified in the Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories: 2019-2023.

The letters also set out the Premier’s expectations for how Ministers will conduct themselves as members of Cabinet and common direction on overall actions and priorities, including:

Premier Cochrane's Itinerary for September 17, 2020

 Issued September 16, 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 Cabinet

Internal meetings

All meetings and events subject to change.

For Ministerial Media Requests, Contact:

Cabinet Communications

Government of the Northwest Territories

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) is pleased to be accepting applications for the 2020-2021 Early Childhood Development scholarships. The scholarships valued at $5000 each will be awarded to eligible Northwest Territories (NWT) students attending accredited post-secondary institutions to complete Diploma or Degree programs with a direct focus in Early Learning and Child Care/Early Childhood Development studies during the 2020-2021 academic year.

To enhance the Northwest Territories’ ability to detect and react to COVID-19, the Government of the Northwest Territories has expanded the number of in-territory rapid tests used for COVID-19, and procured additional equipment to expand this capacity further in the coming weeks.

Premier Cochrane's Itinerary for September 16, 2020

 Issued September 15, 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 participate in a meeting of the Economic Growth and Diversification and Environment Committee-of-Cabinet

Internal meetings

All meetings and events subject to change.

For Ministerial Media Requests, Contact:

Cabinet Communications

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 September 29, 2020. 

With record levels of COVID-19 transmission being reported in neighbouring jurisdictions, the risk to the Northwest Territories is increased. The extension of the Public Health Emergency is necessary in order to respond decisively to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Premier Cochrane's Itinerary for September 14, 2020

 Issued September 11, 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

The Premier will chair a meeting of Cabinet

Internal meetings

All meetings and events subject to change.

For Ministerial Media Requests, Contact:

Cabinet Communications

Results of water quality monitoring conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in July indicate this year’s prolonged high water levels have resulted in more suspended sediment than usual in the Hay and Slave Rivers.

As a result of the increased sediment, many metals associated with silt and clay particles were also found at higher than usual concentrations in both rivers for July. In the Slave River, some concentrations of dissolved metals were also elevated, but most were within the range of what has been measured historically in the rivers.