Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to follow up on my questions earlier this week on the impacts of COVID vaccination policies on employees and contractors who may be unvaccinated if they're working for the GNWT in areas that are under federal regulation. I have additional questions for the Minister of Infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell this Assembly what the impacts of federal and territorial COVID vaccination policies will be on employees, contractors, and users of the marine service ferries. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Minister responsible for Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I thank the Member for his questions for further clarification and I hope that, you know, the line of questions actually provide clarification and information for his constituents.
So the GNWT ferries are federally regulated but do not meet the criteria established by Transport Canada. Current federal regulations apply only to vessels that have over 12 staff members onboard the vessel. Currently the GNWT ferry employees and contractors have to follow the GNWT COVID policy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, under the airports division, can the Minister please tell this Assembly what the impacts of federal and territorial COVID vaccination policies will be on employees and contractors at the Yellowknife gateway airport, the regional airports in the larger centres and the smaller community aerodromes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's our understanding that the federal vaccination requirement currently impacts only the Yellowknife airport. It is an evolving process and we continue to seek clarification and understanding of the regulations at our community airports and ferries. Nonetheless, all operations continue to be subject to GNWT requirements. Effective November 15th, 2021, all federally regulated employees, contractors, and other entities at the Yellowknife airport are required to be vaccinated. The federal policy does not allow for accommodations such as wearing PPE and submit to testing. It is anticipated that Transport Canada will announce rules that apply to remote airports. All airports in the Northwest Territories, other than YZF, once they complete consultation and engagements with remote communities and Indigenous governments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, barging is very important to the economy and wellbeing of the NWT. Particularly in Hay River, the community that I, along with the Member for Hay River North, represent. Can the Minister tell this Assembly how the crews working on the tugs and barges will be impacted by federal and territorial COVID vaccination policies. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, ORC has developed an internal policy adhering to the requirements of Transport Canada. Only vaccinated employees will be hired. This covers all three unions PSAC, SEY and Guild.
Effective November 30th, only vaccinated personnel will be hired for the next shipping season. Southern workers are required to board an airplane. Based on the information gained from the 2021 season, Mr. Speaker, over 90 percent of ORC hires are double vaccinated. Northern workers are required to be vaccinated to gain access to our facilities.
Based on information gained from the 2021 season, like I said we have 90 percent that are double vaccinated. So Mr. Speaker, that's really good news because we've got a lot of work to do in the next sailing season. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Hay River South.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And prior to my question, I would just like to ask, you know, people in the NWT that aren't vaccinated to consider getting vaccinated as soon as possible. You know, it will save a lot of headaches for them and allow them to, you know, get on with life in some way.
So, and for the question, Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell us what the impact on employees and contractors working at the MTS shipyard yard in Hay River will be if they are not vaccinated. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, based on the federal regulation requirement, unvaccinated employees will not be hired. This affects northern and southern hires equally.
I do want to add, Mr. Speaker, that COVID19 has greatly affected our lives, our work, and our activities. Getting fully vaccinated as soon as possible is the best thing you can do to protect yourself, the people around you, and help us to get back to a life more like we remember before the pandemic began. Vaccination gives us all an added layer of protection against the virus and helps build our community immunity. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you Minister. Oral questions. Member of Great Slave.
