YELLOWKNIFE (December 21, 2020 ) – The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) has waived tourism insurance requirements and licensing fees for the 2021-22 fiscal year as COVID-19 impacts on tourism operators continue.
Under the Tourism Act, all tourism operators providing tourism services in the NWT are required to have a valid Tourism Operator Licence (TOL) with prescribed support documents including proof of insurance.
Returning students and persons with specific legal situations requiring travel will continue to have their stays at regional isolation centres fully covered by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) in the New Year.
Changes to the GNWT’s Isolation Payment Policy were unveiled December 1 and take effect beginning January 5, 2021.
In an effort to ensure Santa Claus is able to safely and effectively deliver toys to children in the Northwest Territories (NWT) on December 25, the Government of the Northwest Territories has declared Mr. Claus a seasonal essential worker and granted a four-hour self-isolation exemption.
With the risk of COVID rising during the holiday season, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released Holiday Guidelines to help Northwest Territories (NWT) residents and communities celebrate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Guidelines are based on Public Health Orders and include best practices for making the season merry while protecting ourselves and each other.
Key guidance on celebrating this holiday season includes:
The attached is being distributed on behalf of the Government of Nunavut, the Government of Yukon, and the Government of the Northwest Territories.
Today, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) announced preliminary plans to roll out the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine between January and March 2021.
Once authorized for distribution by Health Canada, the NWT will receive enough of the Moderna vaccine to immunize 75% of NWT residents 18 years of age or older.
The Growth and Recovery by Investing in Tourism (GRIT) Fund will see approximately $3 million invested in the tourism industry in the NWT to help operators and businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funded in partnership with the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), the GRIT Fund was introduced in August 2020 to respond specifically to the needs of the tourism industry post COVID-19.
The fund was both extended and increased before closing in October.
The attached is being released on behalf of the Intergovernmental Council of the Northwest Territories
An additional $100K is being invested in four exploration projects supported by the Mining Incentive Program (MIP).
The new funding is consistent with the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT)’s commitment to increase mining incentive programs by 50% over the next four years in order to attract and support both early-stage and advanced exploration projects.
Along with the new funding, $20K from an earlier-funded project which did not proceed has also been re-distributed.
The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC) created the Community Housing Support program to support Indigenous and Community Governments to implement and innovative, community-driven housing projects. More affordable housing continues to be developed through the Community Housing Support program in partnership with communities. Today, the Minister Responsible for NWTHC, Paulie Chinna, is pleased to announce two new agreements under this program with two more communities, Nahanni Butte and Colville Lake.
