Good afternoon.

As the Premier said, these are unprecedented times.

We put a name on it three weeks ago when we called a Public Health Emergency.

In declaring this emergency, we empowered the Northwest Territories Chief Public Health Officer to take the necessary extraordinary steps to meet this challenge, and protect our territory.

We’ve restricted entry in our territory, mandated self-isolation for residents returning to the NWT, and moved aggressively to educate people on behaviors they should practice and why we all must be in this together.

Good Afternoon.

Today we’re here to talk to media and residents about how the Government of the Northwest Territories will enforce orders made by the Chief Public Health Officer to protect NWT residents and communities.

For weeks now, responding to the impacts of COVID-19 has been the top priority for government officials all across this country and across the world.

COVID-19 is a global pandemic, a public health emergency that needs to be taken seriously.  In the Northwest Territories, we are taking this very seriously, and our decisions reflect that.

Unprecedented times are being met with unprecedented measures as the Northwest Territories responds to COVID-19.

Premier Cochrane, Minister Thom, and NWT Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola today announced the formation of the NWT Compliance and Enforcement Taskforce with the mandate to strengthen the territory’s public health enforcement actions to protect the public health of all NWT residents.

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.

Check against delivery

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.

Check against delivery

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.

Check against delivery 

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: