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Mr. Speaker, I wish to inform Members that the Chief Public Health Officer has released two public health advisories today.

The first indicates the two positive COVID-19 tests in Yellowknife first announced as presumptive cases on Friday have been confirmed. The individuals continue to safely isolate. We appreciate their cooperation with the investigation into contacts, and we wish them well.

A thorough contact investigation continues, initial signs are good.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to update the Members on the progress we have made with our mandate commitment to reduce the municipal funding gap by $5 million in the life of this government.

We recognize the important role that community governments play in our economy and the provision of core programs and services. Community governments are essential partners in delivering programs and services to meet the need of NWT residents, and they require adequate resources for this important work.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is responsible for the implementation of the NWT Water Stewardship Strategy, including transboundary water management agreements and water monitoring throughout the Northwest Territories. Together with our partners, we track long-term trends and monitor changes in water quality, quantity and biology.

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Mr. Speaker, this government is committed to making its programs, services and functions accessible to people in as many ways as possible. We are also committed to keeping up with the worldwide shift towards online portals to access information and services of all kinds.

Our goal is that to the greatest extent possible, people should be able to access Government of the Northwest Territories’ programs and services how they want, where they want, and when they want.

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Mr. Speaker, despite the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Government of Northwest Territories has continued to roll out energy initiatives under the 2030 Energy Strategy Action Plan that will help ensure NWT residents, communities, businesses and industry have access to secure, affordable and sustainable energy.

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Good afternoon everyone.

I would like to begin with an update on the presumptive tests received by two people in Yellowknife.

Both individuals are part of the same household. One had traveled, while one had not. All isolation protocols seem to have been followed. The individual who had traveled isolated. The individual who had not traveled kept their distance in the home. And they isolated as soon as the other individual developed symptoms as-required.

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Good afternoon.

First, I’d like to acknowledge that those residents who received the presumptive positive COVID-19 tests are recovering with close monitoring from public health. Our thoughts are with them.

We recognize that we are not immune to COVID-19 in the NWT.  That is why we have worked hard over the past several months to build capacity to manage the risk and be as responsive as possible when we have positive cases.

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Good afternoon, and thank you for being here today.

As you are aware, the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer announced three presumptive cases today – one case in Inuvik, and two cases in Yellowknife.

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I rise today to provide a fiscal update but in doing so, I want also to speak about one of the most valuable economic resources that exists across the whole of the Northwest Territories: resiliency.

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Mr. Speaker, I want to welcome Members back to the Legislative Assembly as we resume the Second Session.  I look forward to working together as we endeavor to keep residents safe from COVID-19, support industry and residents, and make progress on our mandate commitments.