Check against delivery 

Good morning and thank you, Premier Cochrane. I would like to begin with a brief update on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in the Northwest Territories.

As of February 15, we have delivered 13,578 first doses and fully vaccinated 579 residents against COVID-19.

The NWT is still leading the country in the delivery of first doses. These doses are already giving strong protection to 39% of the adult population.

Mr. Speaker, this Legislative Assembly has identified increasing the number and variety of culturally-respectful, community based mental health and addictions programs, including aftercare, as one of its priorities. The Department of Health and Social Services is improving services to individuals with addictions and I am committed to achieving this mandate commitment.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, R. J. Simpson, issued the following statement on the release of the first Aurora College Transformation Quarterly Report:

“When the GNWT committed to transforming Aurora College into a polytechnic university we did so with the promise that the process would be transparent.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Julie Green issued the following statement today:

“Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has been faced with finding unique ways to deal with the challenges presented to us. Most recently, our government has been tasked with finding creative ways to ensure the deliveries of COVID-19 vaccines are administered safely to Northwest Territories (NWT) residents in some of Canada’s most remote Northern communities.

Diane Archie, Minister of Infrastructure issued the following reaction on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories to news about Air Canada route changes:

“This morning, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) received notice that Air Canada is suspending all passenger operations to the Yellowknife Airport (YZF) until further notice. This change will take effect January 23, 2021.

YELLOWKNIFE, NT (December 23, 2020) – Julie Green, Minister of Health and Social Services, issued the following media statement today:

Paulie Chinna, Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC) issued the following statement today on the CMHC National Co-investment Fund $60 million allocation for the Northwest Territories (NWT).

“As the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, I would like to provide some clarity around the CMHC National Co-investment Fund $60 million allocation for the Northwest Territories.

Minister of Health and Social Services Julie Green issued the following statement today regarding the agreement with Alberta Health Services for Northwest Territories patients receiving services in Alberta:

“As cases of COVID-19 escalate in Alberta, it is not surprising that Northwest Territories (NWT) residents have become concerned that their required health care needs, usually addressed in Alberta, may change. I want to reassure residents that the NWT Health and Social Services system has been closely monitoring the situation in Alberta in recent weeks and days.

Premier Caroline Cochrane issued the following statement on Orange Shirt Day and the legacy of the Residential School system:

Phyllis Jack Webstat was six years old when she went to residential school in Mission, B.C. She lived with her grandmother who didn’t have very much money. Her grandmother spent what little she had to buy Phyllis a new outfit for school, one she got to pick out on her own.

Premier Caroline Cochrane issued the following statement on the passing of former Prime Minister John Turner:

It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of former Prime Minister John Turner over the weekend.