Colleagues, thank you for being here today. We were scheduled for an extended adjournment on Friday of last week, and I know that we were all looking forward to returning to our constituencies over the weekend.
On Friday, I took the unusual step of recalling the House to sit today. This was not a decision that I made hastily, but with careful consideration following my discussions with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly.
The situation we are currently facing with the COVID-19 virus is very fluid. Each and every day we learn more about this virus.
Colleagues, following the passage of an interim appropriation bill today, this House will adjourn until May 26th, or an earlier date to be determined later, to complete the review of the government's proposed budget and continue the work of this House. This recess will free up government resources and personnel to focus on preparing for and responding to the potential spread of COVID-19 to the Northwest Territories. It will also help ensure that we do not expose Members, staff, Pages, and interpreters to unnecessary risk. I remain steadfast in my belief that this is in the best interest of all residents of the Northwest Territories.
Now, Colleagues, it is my duty to advise the House that I have received the following message from the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. It reads:
Dear Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories the passage of:
Interim Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures) 2020-2021
During the 2nd Session of the 19th Legislative Assembly. Yours Truly, Margaret M. Thom, Commissioner.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Members of this Assembly for taking the step of suspending its current sitting after today to allow Cabinet and the public service greater opportunity to prepare for the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Although there remains no reported cases in the NWT, our government continues to prepare for the impact of this pandemic. Hour to hour, we are monitoring the state of the COVID-19 situation as it continues to evolve. I want to share with this Assembly some of the actions and planning that is under way.
Our health system has been preparing over the last few months, as the concern over this new virus became known. This planning has included securing additional supplies and preparing staff and facilities to respond to an outbreak. Our health officials have also been working with our partners, including the Government of Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, to stay current with the most recent information and recommendations about this disease.
Of these discussions, our Chief Public Health Officer has been working tirelessly with her colleagues to provide the best available advice to officials and the public about how to identify and care for those infected and prevent the spread of this disease. One thing we know is that we can slow the spread of COVID-19 and mitigate its impact on our communities if everyone follows the advice of our Chief Public Health Officer and takes the necessary precautions to protect themselves and most importantly to safeguard those who may be more vulnerable, including our elders.
We are fortunate that our healthcare system has not yet had to face any confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the NWT, but we know that this virus is spreading and we all need to take personal steps to slow down the spread of this illness. By slowing the rate of infection, our health system will be better able to effectively respond to this pandemic.
On Friday, our Health and Social Services Minister thanked our many healthcare professionals for their dedication and service and, Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all of us here in this Assembly, and on behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories, I also want to thank them for their efforts to look after us all. We know their work will become more challenging as the COVID-19 virus continues to spread.
Over the weekend, we have also taken the extraordinary step of asking our healthcare professionals to avoid any unnecessary travel outside of the Northwest Territories. This will prevent exposure and help avoid the potential requirements for isolation and will require that the NWT health system can maintain as much operational readiness as possible to manage the spread of this disease.
Mr. Speaker, work to prepare for a COVID-19 pandemic in the Northwest Territories began even before the World Health Organization declared one. In addition to the measures our health system has put in place to identify, prevent, and control the spread of infectious disease, our government also has dedicated resources and procedures to manage emergencies.
Our Department of Municipal and Community Affairs includes the Emergency Management Organization established under the Emergency Management Act. Its role is, in part, to lead the Government of the Northwest Territories in the coordination of emergency management activities, support emergency management activities of local authorities, and coordinate and assist in the response of governments and public agencies. The head of the Emergency Management Office also chairs the Territorial Planning Committee, which works with community governments and other key partners to ensure readiness and to respond to emergencies.
Again, although we have yet to face a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the Northwest Territories, we have taken the proactive step of activating an Emergency Operations Centre under MACA's leadership, as of March 13, 2020, and work will continue to assist all communities in the Northwest Territories to help prevent or manage any COVID-19 outbreak.
Mr. Speaker, later this week, I will be convening a virtual meeting with community governments and Indigenous governments to share the latest information we have on our readiness and our plans. We will continue to meet regularly with them to work together to eliminate any gaps in our plans and to support our efforts.
We know that many communities and jurisdictions in Canada and throughout the world have made the decision to temporarily close schools as result of the pandemic. The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment has consulted with the Chief Public Health Officer on this and has received the advice today to close NWT schools until after Easter. Later today, the Minister will be convening a teleconference with all district education authorities to discuss this direction and how best to support school teachers, staff, and students as they return from spring break travel.
Mr. Speaker, as we prepare for this pandemic, the health and safety of our people is paramount. Every Government of the Northwest Territories department and agency has been tasked with identifying and planning for the continuation of essential services. If a large number of our employees are required to self-isolate to prevent the further spread of the virus, we know that government services may face a significant disruption. It is critical that key services remain supported, and we are taking the proper steps to deal with a scenario where we have dramatically fewer available employees.
All departments and agencies have been updating their business continuity plans, and later this week these plans will be finalized and validated with tabletop exercises to ensure potential gaps have been identified and can be addressed. We know that the work of our government touches upon the lives of the people we serve in important ways and that we need to make sure that there is as little disruption as possible should we find that many of our employees have to be isolated to care for themselves or others. Our planning will also consider how best to manage the NWT supply chain to help ensure that residents and businesses continue to receive essential services.
Mr. Speaker, it is important to state again that the NWT has no reported cases of COVID-19 and that the risk of contracting the disease in the NWT remains low today. This does not mean that we can rest easy. We must be prepared to take preventative actions now.
In recent days, we have seen many jurisdictions implement new measures in response to having the virus already spreading within their borders. We have the ability to take measures sooner than others, to better manage the risk. This will mean some disruption in travel for residents coming home, who will need to self-isolate, and tourists, who will have to postpone their visits the NWT.
It is critically important that all residents of and visitors to the NWT take precautions and follow the advice of our Chief Public Health Officer. As our preparations continue, it is also critical that our community partners work with MACA's Emergency Operations Centre to ensure plans are in place and that every effort is made to minimize the risk and manage the impacts of this pandemic.
We are implementing the best approaches available to slow and manage the spread of COVID-19. While we must not panic, we do have to take precautions.
I want to thank all residents of the Northwest Territories for their understanding as we direct more of the work of our government to managing this issue, we and acknowledge that some of this effort will necessarily come at the expense of other priorities. However, protecting our most vulnerable from this pandemic is our most important priority, and we are working closely with our service providers to develop plans.
Mr. Speaker, we know that the consequences of this pandemic are already having an impact on our economy and that many of our residents and businesses will need support. These concerns have been raised with the Prime Minister, and I am very encouraged that there is clearly recognition that new federal programs and investments will be required to protect our economy. Additional options to provide support to our residents and businesses are being actively considered.
Information on the spread of this new virus and knowledge of how best to manage its impacts have been changing rapidly. That is why we are working closely with our partners from across all jurisdictions to stay up to date on the latest information. We will be providing daily reports and have set up a single portal for more information at www.gov.nt.ca, and click on the "corona virus" feature box. This website is being updated as new information becomes available.
Mr. Speaker, we recognize that people are concerned, but I want to remind everyone that we can all take practical steps to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. We will continue to update our residents, our communities, and Indigenous government partners, and I strongly urge everyone to check our website frequently and heed the advice of the Chief Public Health Officer and our Emergency Management Office as we work together to safeguard our friends, families and our elders. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Honourable Premier. Ministers' statements. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to provide Members and the public with an update on Northwest Territories efforts in containing the spread of COVID-19 and assure everyone that their health and safety is the number one priority of our government.
Currently, we have zero cases confirmed in the Northwest Territories. Our Chief Public Health Officer remains confident our residents are currently at a low risk of infection. We also know that, world-wide, roughly 80 percent of people infected get only mild symptoms.
We are working very hard to slow the spread of the infection and know that everyone has a stake in doing their part. We have been promoting good respiratory practices. That means that you and your family members should stay home if you are sick and keep your distance from elders and people who may have underlying conditions that make them vulnerable to infection. Wash your hands frequently, turn and cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing with your elbow, and make sure that they are two metres apart in all social situations. This way, we can slow the spread together.
Mr. Speaker, the Chief Public Health Officer is leading our public health response planning while the GNWT's Territorial Planning Committee is leading the broader, all-of-government emergency response planning. Our health system's Emergency Operations Centre has been activated. This allows us to coordinate rapid COVID-19 system planning and preparation. A Northwest Territories COVID-19 Pandemic Planning Guide and Checklist is guiding our system preparations. We currently have a sufficient stockpile of personal protective equipment for frontline workers and will continue to track this. Community health centres and hospitals are completing their planning and preparations, and testing kits are in every community.
Mr. Speaker, NWT health professionals are testing residents and visitors for COVID-19 who present flu-like symptoms and who have travelled outside the NWT recently, regardless of where they have travelled. This action permits us to take prompt action should a positive COVID-19 case be confirmed. We began this enhanced testing before coronavirus was declared a pandemic, and this is helping us.
The Chief Public Health Officer issues regular public health alerts to frontline health professionals. These alerts reinforce the need for heightened awareness and the use of best practices for communicable disease control at the local level. Frontline staff and management are also ensuring protections and protocols are in place for workers and others within health facilities to reduce the spread of the virus in those settings.
The Chief Public Health Officer has communicated to all NWT schools and daycares, advising on travel outside the Northwest Territories, planned international travel, and general advice to prevent infection. These letters were sent to parents and caregivers and are being updated.
Long-term care facilities have been provided information on precautions, protections, and protocols from the Chief Public Health Officer via our health authorities, to all healthcare facilities and healthcare professionals. This advice includes following usual flu-season-visitors' hand-washing protocols and staying away if sick.
The Chief Public Health Officer is also assessing all mass gatherings to determine if they should proceed. Most large indoor events have been cancelled, and non-essential travel and attendance at conferences by GNWT employees has been suspended.
Over the weekend, the Chief Public Health Officer issued new advice to our residents, in keeping with the latest guidance from the federal government. We are strongly advising all travellers who have arrived or are arriving from international destinations to now self-isolate for 14 days. These measures are necessary to combat the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.
Mr. Speaker, I know there is a lot of uncertainty and anxiety among us all. There is no denying that COVID-19 is a significant challenge around the world and in the Northwest Territories, but it is important to remember that, by following advice and working together, we can manage this together.
The Chief Public Health Officer and the department are committed to providing residents with up-to-date information and will advise the public when confirmed cases have been identified in the Northwest Territories. They are using every available means to communicate with residents, in all official languages, to provide the most current information so you know what is going on and what you need to do.
Mr. Speaker, Northerners are known for their strength, resiliency, and strong sense of family and community. I know that it is those qualities that we can draw on to keep our communities and our territory healthy. Staying informed and following the advice provided by our health officials will help us all manage this unprecedented situation together.
Mr. Speaker, I want to speak directly to all of our healthcare workers across our system. Thank you for your hard work and dedication in making sure we are in the best place possible to respond to COVID-19. I recognize that there are many challenges ahead and know that you will continue to serve our residents, as you always have, with professionalism, compassion, and commitment.
For more information on COVID-19, please refer to the Government of the Northwest Territories website. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I stand today to first thank Health and Social Services Department and authorities staff for the endless hours they have put in to protect the North from COVID-19. In addition, I would like to thank the other departments that have worked all weekend long to ensure that we have plans in place and continuity of service. Second, I would also like to thank northern businesses who are doing their part to keep Northerners safe while trying to keep businesses running as normally as possible.
I say "normal," Mr. Speaker, but these are not normal times. While businesses and public places have changed the way they operate, closed their doors, increased cleaning routines, and offered to help in any way possible, we as Northerners are being asked to do things a little differently than what we are used to. We are being asked to self-quarantine if we have been away or have flu-like symptoms; to buy only what we need and not stockpile, since stockpiling is a privilege not everyone can afford; to support friends in quarantine by staying away and making sure they have what they need; to check on our elderly and friends with compromised immune systems; and to self-police. While healthcare professionals are giving us the information we need to contain this pandemic and protect Northerners from it, they will be working flat out. This means that ensuring we are sharing accurate information, responsibly following quarantine direction, and supporting one another will be up to all Northerners.
Mr. Speaker, I have said before that the North is an incredible place. Following devastating events like deaths of loved ones, car accidents, house fires, and plane crashes, I have watched Northerners pull together and wrap themselves around one another like a warm blanket. I call it "muskoxing," where we take our most vulnerable and rally around them, protecting them until they are ready to stand with us. In essence, this is no different. Now is when we come together to inform ourselves with accurate information, support one another, and be thankful to be part of this northern family. Not only am I thankful to the incredible dedication of public servants and businesses, I am thankful to Northerners because protecting ourselves will require the diligence and collaboration of every single one of us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Members' statements. Member for Hay River South.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is times like this when we reflect on what it means to be healthy and to be safe, what it means to move freely throughout our communities, to move freely throughout our country and throughout the world.
It is times like this that we reflect on the what-ifs and the should-haves. It is our responsibility to always do the right thing. It is our responsibility to help our family, friends, and neighbours in these trying times. Most importantly, with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is everyone's responsibility to listen to the advice of our NWT Chief Public Health Officer and healthcare professionals and act on their advice. At times, we take things too lightly. We sometimes underestimate the circumstances. Sometimes information received from the Internet may get confused with the truth or fact, something we want to avoid with COVID-19 or any other potentially deadly virus.
Mr. Speaker, along with our healthcare professionals, I know that our Chief Public Health Officer is working diligently to keep the residents of the NWT as safe as possible. It is the healthcare professionals and support workers who are the front line in this battle against COVID-19. We must make certain that they are afforded the time and resources required to effectively and efficiently carry out their duties. They do not need the additional stress of public chaos or panic. What they do require is our calm and support.
Mr. Speaker, the more support we provide to the healthcare professionals by not interfering in the work they are doing or generating unwanted fear, the earlier the action plan they have developed will be in place and the safer we will all be. We know the best-laid plans can change, and we must expect and welcome that change without criticism. Everything is moving quickly and being done in the best interests of our health.
Together, let us confront the situation the world is facing. Let us show respect, support, and applaud those on the front lines, the scientists, the medical officers, the doctors, the nurses, and all the support staff, something we never do enough and should do more of.
Mr. Speaker, I will not have questions for the Minister for health, as we need her out working and consulting with her department to ensure plans are in place to keep the NWT residents free from COVID-19. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The coronavirus pandemic is swiftly moving and unpredictable. A little more than a month ago, I spoke about the effect of coronavirus on tourism in the NWT, based on the Chinese government directive to halt group travel. Now, travel by almost everyone in the northern hemisphere to almost anywhere in the world is not advised by public health officials. Of course, that includes travel to and from the NWT from outside of Canada. New arrivals will be asked to self-quarantine for two weeks.
Mr. Speaker, visitors are listening to the call to stay home. They have cancelled hotels and car rentals, especially in Yellowknife. Meanwhile there is less to do here as festival planners heed the call of social distancing and cancel their events. We are looking at significant losses to non-profits, such as the Snowking Festival and the Long John Jamboree, and to businesses of all sizes because of this disruption. There are indirect effects as well; a loss of business for day-tour operators, restaurants, and stores. Given what we know about this public health emergency, things are going to get worse before they get better.
Mr. Speaker, some tourism operators in the NWT are waving the white flag. They are worried whether their businesses will also become casualties of the pandemic. The chair of NWT Tourism is asking government for help. Among his requests is stimulus funding to help the tourism industry once the pandemic is over, support for employers with staff using immigration programs to earn permanent residency status, and support for seasonal workers who earn most of their income in the summer.
Mr. Speaker, when I last raised this issue, a month ago, the Minister of Industry Tourism and Investment said it would be fall before she had a clear picture of the season. It is clear now that that response is totally inadequate. Last year, the NWT earned $210 million in tourism revenue, with about a third of that coming from aurora tourism. Assistance to tour operators and efforts to market the NWT as a destination will have to kick in much sooner. I will have questions for the Premier. Mahsi.
Thank you, Member for Yellowknife Centre. Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On Friday, I asked about what the plan is for our families and teachers returning to Inuvik after they've been out of the country, and we've gotten a lot of information over the weekend and from our Minister and from our Premier today. Thankfully, we do not have any confirmed cases in the NWT, but, like the Premier stated, it's not a matter of if it hits; it's a matter of when it hits. Already, we're starting to hear a lot of people who are nervous and scared.
One of the things that I've been wanting to talk about is what it means to self-isolate. It means to stay home and, if you go outside, be by yourself. It means to avoid having visitors or visiting anybody. You can have people drop off or deliver things that you may need. It means to keep your distance in your home if you have somebody in your home who is under self-isolation. This is very important. I will have questions later for the Minister to ensure that our elders and those who do not have Internet are being provided with all the information paper form and in the proper language, if needed, as well as providing information packages to the community and Indigenous governments to have the most current and recent information to provide their residents because, in the small communities, that's who people turn to.
Another question that has come up over and over again, and it was nice about the education part, so we know that the schools are closed, but what about the daycares? We have concerns from my community about the daycares. Mr. Speaker, March and April is Jamboree season, also, in my region, and we are happy to get together after a long, dark winter. There are many events every evening over the next few weeks with 200 to 300 who will be gathering. Who is talking to these event coordinators, and has the Chief Public Health Officer reached out to them, and what is the recommendation for these events? I'll be heading home tomorrow to be in my community for my community and, in order for me to provide up-to-date and accurate information, MLAs need each department involved updating us with pertinent information daily, even if it says "no changes today." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This weekend, starting Saturday night, 10:00 o'clock, I got a call: winds are hitting at 108 kilometres in my home community of Tuktoyaktuk, and we had a blow of the same weather up in Sachs Harbour. I put a note yesterday, I was so happy that the power was back on in my home community of Tuktoyaktuk and in Sachs Harbour, too; it was restored yesterday. Even waiting for the weather to improve and the delays that we had, we all pulled together through as a community, and a big thank you to my mayor, Erwin Elias. A special thank you to our Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation, Mr. Thompson; staff Richard Cockney who drove out to the plant from the community at 100-kilometre winds with a snowmobile to try to get the plant up and running for the community. Thank you, Richard, and Mason, and the line crew, when they did arrive into the community. I'd also like to thank Meeka Steen for text messages.
I'd like to thank the DEA chair, Darlene Gruben, who I called at 1:30 in the morning to see if we could get the school opened up, which they gladly did, and they were starting to help people at the Mangilaluk School starting at 8:00 in the morning. Thank you, Ephraim Warren, the principal; Audrey Walker, for cooking for the people. The EGT workers who opened up the runway; Gus Gruben, Kenny Lucas, and Doug Saunders, for getting the runway open, and thank Fraser Pingo at Alkak Air for the work that you did yesterday.
I'd also like to thank Mr. Marius Driscoll of Tuktoyaktuk Stanton; the Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk staff; Davey Krengnektak, Wayne Cockney, and Bruce Noksana. I'd like to thank, for free transportation, Tuk Taxi, Eileen Jacobson, who provided rides to the community, and also Steen Services, Joanne Edwards-Steen, who gave free rides, as well, to and from the shelter. They needed, the community, the rides to get them to the emergency shelters. Also, a thank you to Noe Cockney, Mr. Speaker, our elders Roy Cockney, David Noksana, and the family members who helped in any way. Thank you for all they've done for our community, working together in a crisis that needed the school, anyone involved.
Together, they did this outstanding job. They cooked for over 200 people, Mr. Speaker, and I really want to thank them for keeping them fed and warm. They enjoyed each other's company, because I saw it on Facebook live. I'm really proud of all of them, the community pulling together for the safety of our people, especially with the time that is coming in front of us. I also want to thank my wife because, at 10:00 at night, I never slept until 6:00 Sunday, so we were up for 20-plus hours. I thank the Minister again for all the hard work he's done. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
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 our interim appropriation that is necessary to have a functioning government in these trying times. This will really test our resolve, but, as some of the other Members have mentioned, we are a really strong collection of communities and we will get through this. We are being told to practice social distancing, we need to keep our vulnerable populations in mind. We still need to be compassionate, though, and help each other out while using common sense and best practices while doing so. I recently had a constituent who had a great idea to get care packages out for our elders and those with mobility restrictions if this crisis does carry out for a longer period of time, and I thought that was a great idea.
I also want to address the issue of communications to some of our elders and those who don't use cell phones, computers, and the like, and social media, because we need to get the message out there for people in the Indigenous languages, so I'm hoping we can address that today. I know that a lot of our elders listen to community radio, CKLB, and they are really are dependent on it to get their news. Some of them are still not sure what's going on, and we need to really reach out to them and let them know that we care and we're doing something to assists them.
That being said, we are really strong as a territory, a network of communities. We've got through other scourges and other scares like this in the past, because we worked together, we communicated with each other, and this is no different. Marsi Cho, Mr. Speaker. I will have some questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services later on. Marsi cho.
Thank you, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. I will confess, on the weekend, I was scrambling to try to find something to talk about today, and I have to go back to do my regular job as an MLA and hold the government accountable. One of the promises of devolution was that GNWT and it's peoples would have a made-in-the-North approach to resource development decisions and we would do things better than the federal government.
Currently, the Minister of Lands coordinates and signs off on full government responses to reports from the independent Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board. Our Minister of Environment and Natural Resources is responsible for signing Class A water licences. There is a section in the devolution agreement, 3.18, that requires a five-year review of the delegated authority to the GNWT under the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act. The parties to the devolution agreement are to negotiate terms for the review of the delegated authority to GNWT. This may include a review by an independent third party mutually agreeable to everyone. This process was supposed to start on April 1, 2019.
GNWT has a mixed track record in terms of our performance with its delegated authority under the MVRMA, and I will give some examples:
Cameron Hills and Cantung went into receivership under GNWT's watch without full and liquid financial security in place;
The mandatory financial security provisions under the Commissioner's Land Act are to be replaced with discretionary measures under the Public Land Act.
In an unprecedented move, a water licence amendment for Diavik was sent back to the Wek'eezhii Land and Water Board after the company wrote twice to the Minister after the closure of the public hearing;
The infrastructure project manager on the Tlicho All-Season Road wrote to the Minister of Lands during the consult to modify process, stating that there would be no project if the review board's recommended measures were adopted;
The review boards severely criticized GNWT's whole-of-government approach on the Tlicho All-Season Road environment assessment; and
GNWT's project assessment policy continue to state that "technical advice and evidence provided to boards is in line with Cabinet direction."
While it's true GNWT has continued to learn and grow, we can and should be doing a much better job, Mr. Speaker, and I'll have questions later today for the Minister of Executive and Indigenous Affairs. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you. Member for Frame Lake. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, I think it's important to situate ourselves in the global context. We have seen what being unprepared looks like. We have seen the data from Italy, China, South Korea, the United States, and other jurisdictions in Canada. I think we all recognize that, in the Northwest Territories, we are fortunate that we are seeing this pandemic reach us last; however, we also recognize we are one of the most vulnerable jurisdictions.
Over the coming months, I'm sure we will hear the term "flatten the curve" multiple times. This refers to making sure that we can slow the pandemic to allow our healthcare system to respond. However, I would like to think about this more as a wave, Mr. Speaker. It's a wave that can potentially come crashing down on a healthcare system.
We have seen in Italy nurses who have tested positive for COVID-19 treating others. We have seen in the United States. Today, New York closed all its bars, its restaurants, its gymnasiums. It is banning public gatherings, Mr. Speaker. We are seeing the experts project an economic recession similar to 2008.
Nunavut's Baffin Island Mine has told its workers not to attend. It is likely we will see the same with our mines in due course. I think it's important that we all recognize this is not a normal state of affairs. There have been many jokes about the run on toilet paper and people not getting toilet paper, but we're also seeing a global run on medical supplies, including oxygen and ventilators.
Mr. Speaker, I think it's very important to recognize that we, the territorial government, do not have the resources to respond to a pandemic. Ultimately, we must be coordinating daily and working with the federal government to make sure that our healthcare system maintains capacity and builds capacity to address this pandemic.
Once again, I want to assure everyone to follow the advice of our public health officer and our professionals. It is important that we all remember the basic things like practising social distancing, washing your hands. This will take an entire territorial effort to make sure we can make sure that wave does not come crashing down on our healthcare system. I will have questions for the Premier in making sure that we are in connection with our federal government, and that Canada gets this pandemic right. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Members' statements. Member for Monfwi.
Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] We know that this is a very serious illness, the COVID-19. Even though it's not here yet, but it will eventually be here, so at this time what we're talking about, there are a lot of people who are tourists. Some people are overseas. Some people are coming from overseas. They still continue. When you talk about self-isolation, once they come here, will they be self-isolated. Not only that but, Mr. Speaker, we're talking about the elders. We want our elders to be really well taken care of, like in my community for the last two weeks, there's been two weeks off. The school has been shut down; not shut down, but spring break. The parents, once they go to Edmonton or wherever, once they get back, will they be self-isolated? Are we prepared for it? Now, we are hearing that they are going to shut the school down for a while. What about the seniors' homes? We want to make sure that our elders are well taken care of.
Mr. Speaker, not only that, but we have some mines in our community. We have three major diamond mines, and also a lot of our people who are working at the mine. They are at the mine for two weeks, and also home for two weeks. There are all kinds of mixtures of people, like Baffin Island Mine in Nunavut. This time, in Baffin Island, that mine is shut down, but our mines in our area are still running. It's something we should look into, Mr. Speaker.
The way to look at it, this COVID-19, before we get this epidemic, let's prepare ourselves and be proactive instead of reactive. Let's put r a plan in place. At this time, there is no COVID-19 here now, and if we get the COVID-19, let's not do something.
Mr. Speaker, I'm just talking about the elders and also the kids who are in school, once the teachers come back from two weeks of holiday; and I also talk about the people who work in the mines. To me, I'm very concerned. A lot of my people or my constituents are phoning me on behalf of that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [Translation ends]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have questions today for the Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation on being proactive and not reactive, Mr. Speaker, in supporting our communities' action plan with regard to safety of lines, power lines that are in the communities that need to be redone before this COVID-19 our communities. Because I really worry about, if a blizzard hits and a lineman being sick and come to attend to our community, how do we fix that, Mr. Speaker? Will the Minister commit today to make sure that all the Nunakput communities, the line crews go in and then start working and making sure that the lines are properly fixed and ready for the next blizzard? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, I'd like to thank my colleague from Nunakput for actually phoning and working with me this past weekend to help his residents. He was very diligent in working for his residents. In regard to his concern, our staff have been out there working hard to make sure we had proper power installed, getting it back in place, and that we're also working to ensure it doesn't happen again, but with weather, we can't predict it. We are working with it, and there is a strategic plan moving forward to work with all residents of the Northwest Territories to ensure these things don't happen again.
I want to thank the Minister for that. In regard to the power limiters, no. Power limiters in our communities right now through this COVID-19 state of emergency in regard to our communities. Would the Minister commit today that we shut down all power limiters until we get through to May/June for our residents so they don't have to worry about it?
I apologize to my colleagues. I'm going to read this. It's going to be a little bit longer, but I just want to get the information out there.
The Power Corporation recognizes many of our customers will be facing financial impacts by the effects of the COVID-19 virus. We will adjust our policy on load limiters and disconnect as follows:
customers experiencing financial hardship and who are having difficulties in paying their power bills, NTPC will provide customers with the option to further bill payment or enter into a flexible payment plan without penalty; and
NTPC will not, I repeat, will not disconnect any customers. NTPC will limit customers who are in arrears but will adjust the approach to acknowledge that the current challenge exists.
Our limited policy will be adjusted as follows:
If people haven't gone in and set up payment plans in the communities with smart meters, our load limit policy will be changed from 15 minutes on / 15 minutes off to 15 minutes on / 5 minutes off to ensure the homes are safe and kept warm;
In communities that have manual meters, consumers may exceed the 15 amps usage will continue to have their powers undisturbed until the meter is manually reset. The meters can be reset by the customers; and
If COVID-19 is identified in the community, all limiters, and I repeat, all limiters, will be removed until the pandemic declaration is over.
I'm encouraged to hear that. You know, it's coming. I'm really worried about our communities, our elders, people who we represent in our communities, because we know all of them. I really think that we really should think about this, from now until June, take all limiters off. The Minister could make that happen. Would the Minister commit to me today to getting that done?
I can't make that commitment. The commitment we've made is we'll reach out and work with these individuals to come up with payment plans. If they've fallen in payment plans, limiters will not be installed. If people don't come up with payment plans, then we will install the new process of 15 minutes on / 5 minutes off, and then, for people who don't have smart meters, that have 15 amps, then they would have to reset manually. We are working with the residents; however, we also have to be diligent in us moving forward so I think this is a good option.
Final supplementary, Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The payment plans, I guess, for all our riding of Nunakput would have to go through Inuvik because we don't have any Power Corporation offices and that would be basically for the whole Delta. Would the Minister provide numbers for the people for our ridings of the whole Beaufort Delta in regard to if they're in arrears with the power corporation, to make sure that his staff know in Inuvik that the payment plan will be signed, and they don't have to worry about it, so the limiters will be not put on? That's the worst thing that we need, because it's still cold weather back in the Delta and we don't need this. Would the Minister commit today to making sure that happens?
I'm willing to work with all colleagues to get this information out there in the Beaufort-Delta. He's explained that it's through Inuvik. We will make sure numbers are given to his constituents who are in arrears, are having these challenges, and as well as other Members should they wish this information. I will make sure we get that information to him as soon as the end of this day. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Premier. A month is obviously a long time in the life of the coronavirus outbreak. It has now become a pandemic and there are more cases in Europe than China. Can the Minister update us now on the impact of the coronavirus health crisis on the tourism industry in the NWT? Thank you.
