Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Premier of the Northwest Territories regarding my Member's statement on mandatory vaccinations.
I spoke at length on what the mandatory vaccinations has caused in the communities across the Northwest Territories. It has marginalized residents into categories of vaccinated versus unvaccinated. Can the Premier explain to the unvaccinated residents as to why the need to take away their right to choose what is right for them and categorically marginalize them from mainstream society? Mahsi.
Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Honourable Premier.
Mr. Speaker, vaccinations are within the Department of Health and Social Services. I'd like to defer it to Minister Green. Thank you.
Thank you, Honourable Premier. Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Member for Deh Cho for his questions.
I just want to begin by clarifying that there are no mandatory vaccinations in the NWT. It is, in fact, a personal choice. There are some businesses, municipalities, and other entities who have decided that in order to increase their gathering limits, they would ask for proof of vaccination from people who are using their services. So that's the proof of vaccine credential, which has been in place since the end of last year.
It is, in fact, a personal choice to get vaccinated. I do recommend it. It decreases the impact of COVID, even in the Omicron variant, particularly if you have a booster as well.
And so, as I say, we promote vaccines, but the ultimate choice is to the resident to decide. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and mahsi for that answer there. Mr. Speaker, the Omicron variant has opened our eyes as to what it can do and who it can affect. Obviously, the Omicron variant does not distinguish between the vaccinated nor the unvaccinated. Can the Premier explain what this predicament does to the mandatory vaccinations policy? Mahsi.
Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Member for that question. Just to reiterate, there is no mandatory vaccine policy.
We did see people who were vaccinated contract Omicron variant and, in some cases, those people have been hospitalized and in some cases they have been part of the unfortunate number of people who have died. But generally speaking, the vaccine presents greater protection for the severity of illness and outcomes to people who choose to take it, particularly if they take the booster shot as well. And vaccination is an important tool that we consider in making decisions about whether it's time to reopen the territory. The higher the rate the better. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi to the Minister for that. It's the second time she said there is no vaccination policy, mandatory one. But the thing I've been reading in several documents is all the employees of the GNWT are being forced, you know, into losing their jobs and they have to take the vaccination, which is mandatory. So that's where I'm getting that from.
Mr. Speaker, for us that live in small communities, we don't distinguish between vaccinated and the unvaccinated. We go about our daily lives. Kids go to school. Residents go to work. Residents do their shopping. Residents are eating in restaurants, and everyone is mingling with each other. This is like it was before the virus. Can the Premier explain what this situation does to the mandatory vaccinations policy? Mahsi.
Mr. Speaker, point of order.
Raising a point of order.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A number of times the Member has stated that the government has a mandatory vaccination policy and has stated that GNWT employees are being required to get vaccinated or being laid off, and both of those are false. The Member is uttering falsehoods about the government and its policies. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. There is no point of order. Sorry, I'll allow it. Member for Deh Cho.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I suppose there's a point of order on the floor.
There's no point of order. You may continue.
All right. Thank you. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, removing the mandatory and the continuance of encouraging the vaccinations may be a winwin for all, especially the ones who choose not to take the vaccinations. This has given the rights and freedoms we have all come to enjoy back to the residents of the Northwest Territories, especially the unvaccinated.
Will the Premier give consideration to removing "mandatory" and encourage residents of the availability of the vaccinations? Mahsi.
Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is no mandatory vaccine policy. Not for the public, not for the public service. People have a choice to make here. We are promoting a socially responsible place so that we can offer a safe workplace and a safe environment for the people of the NWT. That can be accomplished primarily by being vaccinated. It reduces transmission, and it reduces the severity of the illness.
So for further information on the government public service vaccine mandate, I recommend that the Member direct his questions to the Minister of Finance responsible for Human Resources. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Deh Cho. Okay. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.
