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Mr. Speaker, approximately one year ago, I stood in this Assembly and introduced Budget 2020 as part of a journey. I described it as a foundation from which we could build a positive fiscal path towards long term economic growth and stability. There were already negative economic indicators but I said that we should not describe our circumstances as a crisis. I said that I was cautiously optimistic that achieving our priorities and building from a solid foundation was possible with discipline and planning.

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Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will deliver the Budget Address on Thursday, February 4, 2021.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Mr. Speaker, I want to welcome everyone back to the Chamber for the resumption of the Second Session of the 19th Legislative Assembly. We have a lot of work ahead of us over the next two months, and I look forward to working in close collaboration and partnership with both sides of this House. We all have the best interests of the Northwest Territories and its people in mind, and as we make progress on the priorities of this Legislative Assembly, it will be for the benefit of current and future generations of NWT residents.

Good morning and thank you for being here this morning for our regular bi-weekly COVID-19 update.

With me here today are Health and Social Services Minister Julie Green and Chief Public Health Officer for the Northwest Territories, Dr. Kami Kandola.

Good morning and thank you, Premier Cochrane.

I would like to begin today’s briefing by thanking all of our frontline staff who are working to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine to our residents and to provide COVID-19 testing in each of our communities. The hours are long and the job is difficult, and I applaud everyone who is a part of it.

Before I provide an update on vaccine delivery, I would like to speak to the Report on Social Indicators: COVID-19 Pandemic that was released yesterday.

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Good afternoon.

This is an exciting and long-anticipated day for our territory.

As our federal colleagues confirmed yesterday, I am pleased to confirm that the Northwest Territories expects to receive enough of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for 75% of eligible NWT adult residents, 18 years of age or older.

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Good afternoon and thank you for being here on such short notice for this important announcement.

As the new Minister of Health and Social Services I’ve got leadership responsibility for the well-being of all residents of the NWT. There are many issues that keep me awake and most recently, it has been how to keep the vulnerable population safe from the cold as winter approaches.

​​​​​​Good afternoon. Thank you for being here today.

I would like to thank Minister Green, and Mayor Alty from the City of Yellowknife for also joining us.

Today I am here to announce that I have made the decision to enact a State of Emergency for the City of Yellowknife, for the purpose of addressing the emergency faced by the homeless residents of Yellowknife, and the need to provide them with temporary shelter.

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Madam Speaker, we know that family violence continues to be a serious issue across Canada. The Northwest Territories consistently records among the highest rates of violence against women in Canada, as reported by Statistics Canada. Two women have been murdered in the last two months. This violence is as heartbreaking as it is unacceptable. As a Territory, we need to do better.

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Madam Speaker, today I am pleased to announce the successful distribution of $1.583 million in COVID-19 emergency support funding for sport organizations. This funding has been provided by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations.