Premier Caroline Cochrane announced that she will assume the portfolio of Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) effective today.

Today the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Paulie Chinna extended the territory-wide state of emergency under the Emergency Management Act.

This extension has been made in order to ensure the Emergency Management Organization (EMO) continues to be in a position to support the orders issued by the Chief Public Health Officer. Extending the State of Emergency does not indicate a significant change in circumstances or an increased risk to the people of the NWT.

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Good morning, thank you for joining us today.

Earlier today I announced that I would be assuming responsibility for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, effective today.

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 requires personal attention and leadership from the highest levels of government.

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I want to echo the Premier’s comments that we all need to follow the advice and direction of the Chief Public Health Officer.

She is an expert in protecting public health and the decisions she is making are going to protect NWT residents in both large and small communities.

I understand that people are very concerned about their health and safety. The GNWT is very concerned too. That is why we have taken the steps we have to protect residents over the past three weeks.

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Thank you for joining us this morning.

Once again, we have some unhappy news that we’re here to discuss: the confirmation of two additional COVID-19 cases in the Northwest Territories, including our first case in a small community.

I know that people are concerned for their health, especially the people in small communities.

I also know that people are concerned to know if COVID-19 is in your community.

The Minister of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR), Shane Thompson, together with Tłı̨chǫ Grand Chief George Mackenzie, Łutsel Kʼe Dene First Nation Chief Darryl Marlowe, and other Indigenous regional leaders, issued a joint statement today to reinforce the need for responsible harvesting of caribou in this time of rapid herd decline:

ENR officers determined that more than 80 caribou were killed illegally within the Mobile Core Bathurst Caribou Management Zone over the past two weeks.

The Health Services Administration office in Inuvik is currently experiencing delays in processing health care card renewal forms. Due to these delays, NWT residents with recently expired health care cards will continue to receive physician and hospital services.

At this time, we advise that NWT residents continue to submit their health care card renewal forms as usual.

To submit a renewal form, the public can either:

• Any NWT driver’s licence or general identification card that expires during the period of March 31, 2020, to May 31, 2020, will remain valid until June 1, 2020.  

Minister of Health and Social Services Diane Thom extended the territory-wide Public Health Emergency on April 1, which was first declared 14 days prior under the Northwest Territories Public Health Act.

This extension is due to the continued need for response to the COVID-19 global pandemic to protect public health in the Northwest Territories.

The Public Health Emergency was extended upon the recommendation of Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT)recently made the announcement on the second wave of financial relief measures being put in place in response to COVID-19.

If you or a loved one has been affected by employment changes or need extra help during this rapidly changing time; the department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) has made changes to the Income Assistance and Seniors Benefits programs to help residents and their families.