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.

Mr. Speaker, our response to COVID-19 began well before the Public Health Emergency was called.

In early March, the Department of Health and Social Services and the Chief Public Health Officer activated the Emergency Operations Centre.  This allowed for rapid COVID-19 system planning and preparation.  We had also began enhanced testing of residents and visitors for COVID-19 who presented flu-like symptoms and had travelled outside of the Northwest Territories well before the pandemic was declared.  This allowed us to take quick action if a positive case was confirmed and ensure our testing capability was in place across the NWT.

The Chief Public Health Officer also issued guidance to all Long Term Care facilities to protect our elders against the spread of the virus.  Additionally, our health care system initiated enhanced infection control practices in all health care facilities to protect front-line health care workers. 

Our public outreach was also increased to provide residents with truthful, evidence-based information on the virus, and how to keep each other safe.

Mr. Speaker, as the situation in Southern Canada began to escalate it was apparent that stronger action was required.  I declared a Public Health Emergency on
March 18 on the recommendation of the Chief Public Health Officer.  This allowed the Chief Public Health Officer to issue the necessary public health orders to protect our territory.  These Orders prohibited non-resident travel within the territory, mandated two weeks of self-isolation for residents returning from anywhere outside our boundaries, and that Self-Isolation Plans be submitted in order to ensure compliance.

Mr. Speaker, as we began to get positive cases we made the difficult decision to close businesses where physical distancing could not be maintained.  At the same time, we provided the necessary advice for essential businesses and employers to stay open safely.

We also acted to limit the risks from essential workers entering into the NWT to play crucial roles in our society and our economy by getting measures in-place to track them, monitor their health, and have them self-isolate whenever possible.  

Mr. Speaker, a significant amount of work went on behind the scenes to build the necessary systems to fully implement the public health measures.

Within hours of restricting travel, our government instituted a public call centre, staffed check stops on our highways and airports, set up self-isolation hubs and implemented a self-isolation planning and assessment process.

The Chief Public Health Officer has also established a Compliance and Enforcement Taskforce trained to respond to public health risks in our communities.  This team is working across the NWT and has visited more than half of our communities to provide outreach events to educate residents about the public health measures as well as enforce.

Mr. Speaker, the results from our initial response has allowed us to contain the spread of COVID-19.  We currently have no active cases and no community spread. That is a testament to the effectiveness of the orders in keeping us safe.  And it is a credit to everyone in this territory who followed the orders and advice to contain this virus.

Mr. Speaker, while implementing timely and aggressive public health measures was necessary to contain the spread, the need to gradually and wisely ease our restrictions was always part of the overall plan.  We were just waiting until it was safe to do so.

Two weeks ago, the Chief Public Health Officer released Emerging Wisely, our path to emerging gradually, safely, and wisely from our strictest public health measures, and bringing some stability back to the territory.  It reflects the caution and care our residents expect in order to continue to protect our remote communities, and our healthcare system.

Through the four phases of easing, restrictions are gradually lifted to allow for residents to visit their friends, family, and neighbours; do more activities; and
re-open more businesses – and doing it all safely.

But we also made it clear that this is not a return to business-as-usual – and it will not be until this pandemic has run its course.  We are calling on residents to accept that some measures will be in place for a long time.

Travel into the territory will remain restricted, and self-isolation requirements will remain in place for residents who chose to travel outside of the NWT and for those entering on an essential or exceptional basis.

And until there is a vaccine, we must keep physical distance of two metres and continue to wash our hands more than we ever have; wear non-medical masks in crowded spaces; and keep our most vulnerable safe.  That is what will keep this territory strong and healthy.

Mr. Speaker, all Northwest Territories residents have a role to play.  We must remain mindful and use caution as our restrictions are lifted, because this pandemic will continue – and so will our response.

Lifting restrictions comes with some risks.  It is likely that we will get more cases and we may experience community spread.  And to rise to the challenge, we may need to call on everyone to make sacrifices again.

But with these months behind us, I am confident that Northerners have the strength and resiliency to do what is necessary to protect themselves, their family and friends and communities to remain healthy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.