When the Legislative Assembly shut down in March due to the COVID Health State of Emergency, the Government of the Northwest Territories was well into its annual budgeting process. As we continue that discussion, we are also moving forward to other financial matters to be discussed during this sitting of the Legislative Assembly.
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.
Check Against Delivery
Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome all Members back to the continuation of our Second Sitting of the 19th Legislative Assembly.
Much has changed, in the Northwest Territories and around the world, since our sitting was interrupted by the declaration of a global COVID-19 pandemic this past March.
Governments across Canada, including our own, have had to take swift and strong action to protect the health and safety of Canadians from this disease.
Good morning everyone and thank you for joining us today for this announcement.
This morning I am here to talk a bit about some changes coming out of the Department of Lands, in response to the impacts of COVID-19.
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 residents, families, businesses, Indigenous governments and communities.
Check against delivery
Hello everyone and thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today.
I’d like to specifically thank Jenni for the invitation to address your membership. This is the first chance that I have had to do so since being elected, and though I wish we could have done it in person, I am glad all the same.
Outside of the immediate task of navigating the COVID-19 crisis, the Government of the Northwest Territories’ broad mandate is to improve the lives of the people it serves.
Good afternoon.
This week, we’ve been focused on planning for emerging gradually, and safely, from our current levels of public health restrictions.
The changes we’ve introduced to our Public Health Orders this week are allowing us to consider taking these first steps.
Because if we can track those entering our territory when they’re at highest-risk of transmission, and keep our boundaries strong, we can bring more freedom and stability to our residents as we continue our response to this virus.
Check against delivery
Good afternoon.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many challenges for our residents and communities as we take the necessary steps to protect each other by staying physically distant and self-isolating.
For residents with children, there are additional and significant challenges now that children are at home as a result of school closures and the cancellation of many child care programs.
Introduction
It is undoubtedly good news that at this time, our territory has no active cases of COVID-19, and our last confirmed case reported two-and-a-half weeks ago.
But as we respond to COVID-19, it’s important we both look at the facts, and remember our history.
We know that there are second and perhaps even third waves in Canada expected before we get a vaccine.
Check against delivery
Thank you Minister.
Let’s talk for a moment about what these orders actually mean, and how we’re going to implement them
The most important thing we all can to flatten the covid-19 curve is to practice physical distancing. This is something that Dr. Teresa Tam CPHO for Canada has recommended for all Canadians.
