Unprecedented times are being met with unprecedented measures as the Northwest Territories responds to COVID-19.
Premier Cochrane, Minister Thom, and NWT Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola today announced the formation of the NWT Compliance and Enforcement Taskforce with the mandate to strengthen the territory’s public health enforcement actions to protect the public health of all NWT residents.
Premier Caroline Cochrane announced that she will assume the portfolio of Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) effective today.
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) understands 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 (NWT) residents, families, businesses, Indigenous governments, and communities. In response to this, Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Finance, and Katrina Nokleby, Minister of Infrastructure and Industry, Tourism and Investment, are announcing additional support for people, businesses, and communities in response to COVID-19.
Everyone is urged to Protect Our Elders in two new campaigns to combat the spread of COVID-19.
The Northwest Territories Association of Communities (NWTAC), Music NWT, and the GNWT have teamed up to run these campaigns.
Our goal is to build solidarity during the COVID-19 crisis, and get residents to recognize that changing behaviors isn’t just about them – it’s about the people they love, and our most vulnerable community-members.
Protect Our Elders: A Community Campaign To Stop The Spread Of COVID-19
Today, Premier Caroline Cochrane announced the appointment of Mr. Russ Neudorf as the Associate Deputy Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA). This appointment has been made to support the ongoing work of the department and in particular the operations of the Emergency Management Organization as it leads activities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The attached is being released on behalf of Indigenous Services Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories.
Effective March 24, 2020, the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA), Paulie Chinna, declared a territory-wide State of Emergency under the Emergency Management Act to support ongoing efforts to protect public health in the Northwest Territories.
Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) R.J. Simpson met with Northwest Territories (NWT) Education Leaders and the Northwest Territories Teachers’ Association (NWTTA) via teleconference on Tuesday, March 24 to discuss the status of JK-12 education in the territory as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency.
Government of the Northwest Territories departments are working together with community governments and other organizations and agencies to monitor and respond to potential threats to public safety, communities and critical infrastructure in the Northwest Territories.
To that effect, an agreement aimed at providing reassurance to Northwest Territories (NWT) residents, and ensure there are no disruptions to electricity services in the North during the COVID-19 pandemic, was signed late last week.
The Minister of Health and Social Services, Diane Thom, is announcing the following adjustments to health and social services operations that create new pathways to access care, while also enhancing social distancing. These steps are being taken to ensure the health system can reserve and reallocate existing resources, protect our vulnerable populations, and reduce potential for spread and exposure for our staff and the public.
Starting immediately the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) will:
