Frieda Martselos

I expect a detailed accounting of the $23 million at some point during the time of our government. How is the Department of Health and Social Services preparing the regional centres and small communities for the second wave of COVID-19?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we move on from the first wave of the COVID-19, I can't help but wonder what the second wave of this pandemic might have in store for us later this year. Our territory has endured the first wave of COVID-19 with relatively good success, seeing as we have only had five cases, all of whom have recovered, and no community transmission. We are now about to enter phase 2 of our territory's Emerging Wisely plan of reopening the economy to regular life. However, Mr. Speaker, I remain concerned about our territory's level of preparedness for future waves of COVID-19, or even...

Does the Department of Health and Social Services have a plan to ensure that regional centres and small community nursing stations are considered in the master plan to ensure our residents are safe for both mental and physical health?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given the NWT has allocated $23 million from the federal government for the COVID-19 pandemic, I'd like to know in detail about how the allocated funds and expenditures were spent. Can the Minister provide some specific details in how this money was spent? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I have been going back and forth with the department, and I think that it has happened since I got elected in October, and I think that bureaucracy is slow. We have a member that had a very awful disaster in Fort Smith with the tornado. It is a big concern for myself and for the family involved in that community. A conclusion to this file is really important.

Mr. Speaker, as our government prepares for the second wave of COVID-19 and for future pandemics, will the Department of Human Resources commit to making a contingency plan for the future that is more mindful of summer student employment? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Would the Minister commit to prioritize the hiring of summer students wherever possible across the Government of the Northwest Territories?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In any normal given year, by this point in time, the Government of the Northwest Territories would have already hired hundreds of students within the Summer Student Employment Program, employing students from all across the territory from mid-April until the end of August. However, COVID-19 has derailed virtually all employment opportunities that would normally be afforded to our northern student population. Mr. Speaker, according to a News North article from May 18, 2020, the Government of the Northwest Territories has so far hired only 98 summer students for the 2020...

Maybe it would be a good idea if the Minister did a bit of research on the way the National Capital Commission handles monuments and designations. There are certain specifications that are required, and I think it's something that you could put toward your committee. I think it should be based here in the capital because this is where the government sits, and I think that acknowledgement of the missing and murdered women on this anniversary is extremely important. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I just want to make a couple of comments. You're talking about the missing and murdered women. I had a previous role when I sat on the national capital commission. We have some surplus here, and I'm wondering if a monumental plaque or place would come under the Victims Assistance Fund, if the missing and murdered women in the Northwest Territories were placed on a plaque and designated to the missing and murdered women. Is that possible? Is it something that has ever been thought about?