Mr. Speaker, we recognize that supporting vulnerable residents in need of housing or at risk of homelessness across the Northwest Territories is an essential part of the overall response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation has been working to ensure that we meet the needs of our residents during this difficult and challenging time.
Mr. Speaker, I know that renewing our government’s relationship with Indigenous governments is important to all Members. That is why the 19th Legislative Assembly has established settling and implementing treaty, land, resources and self-government agreements as one of its priorities. We have also made it a priority to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.
On June 5th each year, we commemorate Inuvialuit Day to celebrate the signing of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement in 1984.
Check Against Delivery
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the one-year anniversary of the release of the Final Report of the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The previous Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, the Honourable Caroline Cochrane tabled that report entitled “Reclaiming Power and Place” in the Legislative Assembly on June 4th, 2019.
The Final Report is split into two volumes with three main sections:
Mr. Speaker, the wildfire season this year is off to a slow start thanks to cooler temperatures in May, right across the territory. It is only been in the last week or so that things are finally starting to warm up. Hot weather is predicted through June and July with temperatures well above normal. These are prime conditions for wildfire.
Mr. Speaker, the COVID-19 global pandemic has had profound effects on people around the world, including residents across the Northwest Territories (NWT). The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) has been working tirelessly to adapt its programs and services to help lighten the economic, social and emotional weights of the pandemic, and I would like to provide an update to the public about those efforts.
Check Against Delivery
Mr. Speaker, earlier I spoke about our public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today I would like to highlight how our health and social services system is responding to this unprecedented challenge.
Check Against Delivery
Mr. Speaker, businesses across the Northwest Territories have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but perhaps none more so than our tourism sector.
The tourism sector was one of the first hit by the pandemic and will likely be amongst the last to recover from its effects.
Northwest Territories tourism is reliant on national and international travel however for the time being our borders must remain closed to protect the health of our residents and our small and remote communities.
When the Legislative Assembly shut down in March due to the COVID Health State of Emergency, the Government of the Northwest Territories was well into its annual budgeting process. As we continue that discussion, we are also moving forward to other financial matters to be discussed during this sitting of the Legislative Assembly.
Check Against Delivery
Mr. Speaker, in the past few months, we have asked people to change the way we live, work and socialize in order to protect our territory against COVID-19. This is by far. the most significant public health crisis we have faced in decades.
Today, I would like to reflect on the public health measures we have put in place and how we will continue to protect our territory, while bringing some stability back to our lives.
