Good afternoon.
I want to begin by saying that our thoughts are with the people of Hay River who are facing flood risks alongside a pandemic.
We appreciate the work everyone is doing on the frontlines to keep people safe from the flood, and making sure good public health practices are followed as much as possible as the response unfolds.
R.J. Simpson, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) met with territorial education leaders and the Northwest Territories Teachers’ Association (NWTTA) during their biweekly teleconference on May 5, 2020 to further discuss continued learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on what is currently being done to support families and students with complex needs.
Today, the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE), R.J. Simpson announced the exemption of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) for Income Assistance (IA) clients. These benefits would normally be counted as unearned income and would affect a client’s IA benefit amount.
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) is contributing $86,000 to Northwest Territories (NWT) Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDC) to allow them to defer loan payments for their clients in the same way that the Business Development and Investment Corporation has done.
The one-time contribution by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) will cover the interest costs that would otherwise be incurred by these organizations.
During the current COVID-19 pandemic, it is particularly important that each one of us take all possible precautions to prevent wildfire. Limiting the number of human-caused or preventable fires helps reduce the risk of exposure to fire crews and the public. Wildfire prevention efforts can also increase public safety, reduce the impacts on values-at-risk and limit the cost of fire response.
Providing supports for those experiencing homelessness and addiction has been a focus throughout the COVID-19 response in the Northwest Territories.
Today those support options have grown with the opening of the new Yellowknife Women’s Centre individual housing suites and the return of regular programming at the Yellowknife Day and Sobering Centre.
Yellowknife Women’s Centre Transitional Housing
With most winter roads and ice crossings now closed, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT)
reminds drivers that it is unsafe and illegal to drive on closed winter roads.
Doing so can endanger your life, the lives of others, and your vehicle.
The GNWT understands that winter roads serve as an important access point to many cabins and other outdoor areas. However, safety is always
Minister Katrina Nokleby issued the following media statement today on doing business with the Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT):
“The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) continues to find ways to manage the impact of COVID-19 on the Northwest Territories’ (NWT) economy. We know businesses—big and small—are concerned about how they are being impacted.
Shane Thompson, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR), announced new funding today to support recycling depots and processing centres during the COVID-19 state of emergency.
This financial support will help offset costs directly associated with loss of income to operators since the closure of recycling depots on March 19, 2020 due to COVID-19.
For processing centres, a one-time payment of $5,000 will be provided while staff and operators explore federal funding opportunities.
As the spring melt and break-up approach so does flood season in the NWT. The best way to protect yourself and your family is to be prepared.
The communities of Hay River, Fort Simpson, Fort Liard, Nahanni Butte, Tulita, Fort Good Hope, Fort McPherson, Aklavik and Tuktoyaktuk are all in flood prone areas and residents in these communities are encouraged to take steps to ensure they are prepared and protected.
