Steve Norn

I do know that, also, we did have some online conversations about the fuel prices in Lutselk'e. I know that there was a point of contention, I guess, with the community, that their prices were so high like everybody else in the North and pay the lower price, and there are a lot of factors that go into that, and I know that they get fuel delivered once a year. Again, I just want to see if we get some commitment from the Minister and the department that we can see favourable change to these prices in the near future, I guess. Thank you.

Thank you. Nothing further.

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Through this pandemic, we have had a lot of people go to the hospital sick. It has raised a lot of very sad stories that came across my desk, my e-mails. We have heard some of these terrible stories on the news about people being sick and dying alone because of COVID, and I was just praying that it never did, and I'm hoping it doesn't go that route.

I still had to make a lot of calls for some of my constituents because, as I mentioned before in my Member's statement, we like to do things as groups with our loved ones. I know that, if I was sick, terminally ill, I wouldn...

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Just listening to some of the questions out there; I want to thank my colleagues from Kam Lake and Inuvik Twin Lakes for asking the questions. I was scratching out questions as I went along, here, but I did have one main question for the Premier: will the Premier advise if we will be distributing care packages for elders and those with mobility restrictions? What I mean by "care packages" is basically just dry goods, food, and supplies for elders, because it looks like this might be lasting a little longer than it should be. Marsi cho.

Marsi cho, Madam Chair. I move that consideration of Tabled Document 61-19(2), Interim Estimates (Operations Expenditures), April 1 to June 30, 2020, be now concluded, and that Tabled Document 61-19(2) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Marsi cho, Madam Chair.

Thank you for the response from the Premier. I have another question. With that in mind, I think that we need to be proactive here. There are still a lot of elders and mobility-restricted who are starting to be afraid to leave their homes now, so we need to start thinking about this. I am wondering if the Premier will be having these discussions and putting this in their emergency planning as they speak right now.

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I want to briefly address our government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We've seen a lot of good information from our Minister of Health and Social Services and the Chief Public Health Officer. They've been working really hard, lately, and I want to say thank you for that. However, I believe that is still a need for more preparatory work. My main worry right now, Mr. Speaker, is for our small communities. Many of our small communities don't have the resources, services, or capacity if the pandemic gets into the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, today we will be looking at passing...

Marsi cho, Madam Chair. I move that the chair rise and report progress.

Marsi, Madam Chair. Committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 61-19(2), Interim Estimates (Operations Expenditures), April 1 to June 30, 2020. Marsi cho.

Marsi cho, Madam Chair. I move that the chair rise and report progress. Marsi cho.