Good Afternoon.

Today we’re here to talk to media and residents about how the Government of the Northwest Territories will enforce orders made by the Chief Public Health Officer to protect NWT residents and communities.

For weeks now, responding to the impacts of COVID-19 has been the top priority for government officials all across this country and across the world.

COVID-19 is a global pandemic, a public health emergency that needs to be taken seriously.  In the Northwest Territories, we are taking this very seriously, and our decisions reflect that.

For nearly a month now, the Chief Public Health Officer has been issuing advice and direction to protect the health and safety of our residents.

During this time, returning residents have been required to self-isolate in regional centres and file self-isolation plans. All residents have also been asked to stay home, to stop planning or participating in mass gatherings, to cancel their parties and trips, and to adhere to social distancing precautions.

In a short amount of time, these measures have had a tremendous impact on our territory. I know our economy is suffering and people want to go back to work and normal life, but these measures have also proven to be successful in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in our territory – for now.

Now is not the time to loosen the measures set in place by the Chief Public Health Officer, but rather to emphasize their importance and be extra diligent.

This virus is a threat to the health of all NWT residents and our government is committed to taking strong action to protect our people and communities, as reflected in the orders of the Chief Public Health Officer

While we expect all residents to do the responsible thing and follow the directions of Dr. Kandola, we also need to be prepared to enforce those orders when it is necessary.

The formation of the NWT Compliance and Enforcement Taskforce being announced today will strengthen the territory’s ability to enforce the measures put in place to protect the public health of all NWT residents.

We all want the same thing – to protect our families and loved ones from the threat of COVID-19. We all have to do our part, even when that means cancelling our plans and giving up our usual activities.

That may not be easy, but it is the right thing to do and I’m calling on all NWT residents to do it for the people they love. Do it for your grandparents, do it for your mom and dad, do it for your kids or your nieces and nephews.

The decisions we make now, will impact the decisions we have to make in the days and weeks that follow.

The Government of the Northwest Territories has been preparing for this pandemic for weeks now and making sure it has all the tools it needs to protect the health of our residents. The taskforce being announced today is another important tool that will ensure we are able to enforce the orders that our Chief Public Health Officer has made to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and lessen its impact on our people and communities.

I am pleased to welcome this new team and offer them my full support.

Thank you.