Check Against Delivery 

Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome all Members back to the continuation of our Second Sitting of the 19^th Legislative Assembly.

Much has changed, in the Northwest Territories and around the world, since our sitting was interrupted by the declaration of a global COVID-19 pandemic this past March.

Governments across Canada, including our own, have had to take swift and strong action to protect the health and safety of Canadians from this disease.

Good morning everyone and thank you for joining us today for this announcement.

This morning I am here to talk a bit about some changes coming out of the Department of Lands, in response to the impacts of COVID-19.

The physical distancing and isolation measures used to combat the spread of COVID-19 have created new and very real economic stress on Northwest Territories residents, families, businesses, Indigenous governments and communities.

Check against delivery 

Hello everyone and thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today.

I’d like to specifically thank Jenni for the invitation to address your membership.  This is the first chance that I have had to do so since being elected, and though I wish we could have done it in person, I am glad all the same.

Outside of the immediate task of navigating the COVID-19 crisis, the Government of the Northwest Territories’ broad mandate is to improve the lives of the people it serves.

Good afternoon.

This week, we’ve been focused on planning for emerging gradually, and safely, from our current levels of public health restrictions.

The changes we’ve introduced to our Public Health Orders this week are allowing us to consider taking these first steps.

Because if we can track those entering our territory when they’re at highest-risk of transmission, and keep our boundaries strong, we can bring more freedom and stability to our residents as we continue our response to this virus.

Check against delivery 

Good afternoon.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many challenges for our residents and communities as we take the necessary steps to protect each other by staying physically distant and self-isolating.

For residents with children, there are additional and significant challenges now that children are at home as a result of school closures and the cancellation of many child care programs.

Introduction

It is undoubtedly good news that at this time, our territory has no active cases of COVID-19, and our last confirmed case reported two-and-a-half weeks ago.

But as we respond to COVID-19, it’s important we both look at the facts, and remember our history.

We know that there are second and perhaps even third waves in Canada expected before we get a vaccine.

Check against delivery 

Thank you Minister.

Let’s talk for a moment about what these orders actually mean, and how we’re going to implement them

The most important thing we all can to flatten the covid-19 curve is to practice physical distancing. This is something that Dr. Teresa Tam  CPHO for Canada has recommended for all Canadians.

Check against delivery 

Good afternoon.

As the spread of COVID-19 crossed our nation and touched our communities, our message has always been that our public health measures will get stronger before they let up.

And with the leadership of our Chief Public Health Officer, we have moved forward with some of the most aggressive policies in the country.

We closed our boundaries before almost anyone else.

We mandated isolation near hospitals to protect our remote communities.

We test those without connections to travel.

First of all I want to recognize what you all already know, that all Northwest Territories businesses are making difficult decisions as they implement what is being asked of them to limit the spread of COVID-19 across our territory.

The Government of the Northwest Territories recognize this.  

We acknowledge that it is happening at a cost to business owners and entrepreneurs in the North; and we will continue to seek out, identify, and facilitate ways to support your efforts and address these challenges.