Premier Caroline Cochrane today issued the following statement:

“It is with regret that I will not be in the House for the beginning of Session as I have tested positive for COVID-19. Per the Chief Public Health Officer’s current recommendations, I am staying home and limiting my contact with others. Attending Session would increase the chance of spreading illnesses to my colleagues and other community members, and I am not willing to take that risk.

Premier Caroline Cochrane and Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs and Environment and Climate Change Shane Thompson issued the following statement today regarding the evacuations of Hay River and the Kátł’odeeche First Nation due to an ongoing wildfire in the area:

“This weekend, an aggressive wildfire forced residents of Hay River and the Kátł’odeeche First Nation to evacuate their homes. The situation is evolving rapidly, and it is critical that residents not return to their communities at this time.

Minister of Health and Social Services Julie Green issued the following statement for Nursing Week:

“On Nursing Week, I want to celebrate and reflect on the central role nurses have in the delivery of healthcare in the Northwest Territories (NWT).

Caroline Wawzonek, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, provided the following statement for Red Dress Day:

“Today my thoughts are with the survivors and families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. Inspired by Jaime Black’s REDress art installation project, the empty red dresses symbolize the loss of thousands of lives and remind us of the injustices that still exist.

Today, the Honourable Shane Thompson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, issued the following statement on recent action taken to address two spills in Alberta:

“I acknowledge the commitments made by the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and the Honourable Sonya Savage, Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, following a series of spills at worksites in Alberta.

Premier Caroline Cochrane today issued the following statement:

“This afternoon, federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland unveiled the 2023 Federal Budget. I, like many Northerners, have been eagerly awaiting its release to learn how it will support residents of the Northwest Territories (NWT).

Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Shane Thompson today issued the following statement:

“I was shocked to learn that one of the largest oil sands spills in Alberta’s history was reported in early February and I am extremely frustrated that we were not informed.

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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the athletes, coaches, managers, and mission staff who represented Team Northwest Territories, better known as Team NT, at the 2023 Arctic Winter Games recently held in Wood Buffalo, Alberta. I also want to acknowledge those who are representing Team NT at the upcoming 2023 Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island, scheduled from February 18 to March 5.

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Mr. Speaker, today I would like to provide an update on Housing Northwest Territories’ Renewal, including some long-awaited changes we have made to programs and policies that are already improving housing supports for those most in need.

In June 2021, at the first meeting of the NWT Council of Leaders, I stood with my colleague, the Honourable Premier Cochrane, and committed to conducting a review of the former NWT Housing Corporation’s policies and programs with a working group identified by the Council.

Minister Responsible for Status of Women, Caroline Wawzonek provided the following statement on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada:

“On December 6th, 1989, a gunman murdered 14 women in Montreal. The anniversary of the massacre has been commemorated as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, ensuring we never forget about the gender-based violence that occurred on this day 33 years ago.