The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is pleased to announce new and enhanced programs to support harvesters and families going out on the land this fall. These programs reflect the importance of increasing food security through locally-harvested food and are a direct response to the challenges our communities are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Premier Caroline Cochrane released mandate letters for all members of Cabinet today.
Ministerial mandate letters provide more specific direction to each Minister on their individual responsibilities for carrying out the priorities of the 19th Legislative Assembly and the commitments identified in the Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories: 2019-2023.
The letters also set out the Premier’s expectations for how Ministers will conduct themselves as members of Cabinet and common direction on overall actions and priorities, including:
To enhance the Northwest Territories’ ability to detect and react to COVID-19, the Government of the Northwest Territories has expanded the number of in-territory rapid tests used for COVID-19, and procured additional equipment to expand this capacity further in the coming weeks.
Results of water quality monitoring conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in July indicate this year’s prolonged high water levels have resulted in more suspended sediment than usual in the Hay and Slave Rivers.
As a result of the increased sediment, many metals associated with silt and clay particles were also found at higher than usual concentrations in both rivers for July. In the Slave River, some concentrations of dissolved metals were also elevated, but most were within the range of what has been measured historically in the rivers.
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) announced today that it will allocate $20.145 million to support the Northwest Territories’ Aviation Sector to continue essential air services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This funding is part of the $75 million funding program announced by the Government of Canada to support essential air services to remote communities between July 1 and December 31, 2020. Transport Canada will provide $17.124 in new funding; while the GNWT will provide $3.021 million.
YELLOWKNIFE (September 10, 2020) – Regular surveillance to identify the presence or absence of COVID-19 will soon be possible because of a wastewater testing program initiated by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT).
This program will collect regular samples of wastewater (sewage) from Hay River, Yellowknife, Fort Smith, Inuvik, and Fort Simpson, which will be tested for COVID-19.
The Governments of Northwest Territories (GNWT) and Canada have resumed long-term water quality monitoring at two key sites in northern Alberta and two sites in the Northwest Territories (NWT). This collaboration reflects the ongoing commitment by both governments to conduct important water quality monitoring at long-term monitoring stations. The quality of water is important for NWT residents and for the sustainability of the Mackenzie River Basin.
YELLOWKNIFE (September 4, 2020) –Premier Caroline Cochrane announced the following portfolio assignments for Members of the Executive Council today:
Today the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC), announced that the Transitional Rent Supplement Program (TRSP) has been extended to November 30, 2020.
The NWTHC and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CHMC) continue to work collaboratively to implement the Canada Housing Benefit (CHB) and are currently finalizing the design elements. The CHB will be a cost-shared program that will work to provide residents the support they require to access affordable rental housing.
Today, Caroline Cochrane, Premier of the Northwest Territories, formally announced the creation of the COVID-19 Coordinating Secretariat. The Secretariat will be responsible for managing the Government of the Northwest Territories’ (GNWT) response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The GNWT’s COVID-19 response to date has been multifaceted and has involved many government departments, non-government agencies and organizations from across the territory.
