Mr. Chair, I am here to present Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures) No. 2, 2020-2021.
The Supplementary Estimates document proposes to add $88.7 million to the 2020-2021 operating budget, comprised of the following major items: $79 million to support the GNWT's health and economic response to COVID-19, including:
- $31.7 million under the umbrella of the COVID secretariat to protect the territory from COVID-19. Bringing existing functions together under the secretariat will help us better meet demand, ensure more efficient use of the GNWT's fiscal resources, and provide a clearer point of accountability for the ongoing implementation of the public health orders. The costs associated with the secretariat will be partially offset by funding received from Crown‐Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada under the first Northern Bundle.
- $29.1 million to support programs under the Canada-Northwest Territories Safe Restart Agreement and second Northern Bundle, including: $2.7 million to support childcare for returning workers; $9 million to support increased capacity in the health system; $3.6 million for personal protective equipment for health and non-health care workers; $3.5 million to support testing, contract tracing, and data management;
- $29.1 million to support programs under the Canada-Northwest Territories Safe Restart Agreement and second Northern Bundle, including: $2.7 million to support childcare for returning workers; $9 million to support increased capacity in the health system; $3.6 million for personal protective equipment for health and non-health care workers; $3.5 million to support testing, contact tracing, and data management; $5.6 million to support our vulnerable population; and $4.7 million to support communities. $26.7 million of these costs will be offset by funding from the Government of Canada.
- $23.2 million to support the NWT aviation sector, of which $17.1 million is offset by funding from Transport Canada.
- $9.7 million to support the safe re-opening of schools in the Northwest Territories, of which $4.8 million will be offset by funding from the Government of Canada.
- $3.9 million to establish the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund, which is fully offset by funding received from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.
- $1.6 million to support Northwest Territories sports organizations by providing relief under the COVID-19 Emergency Support for Sport Organizations agreement, which is fully offset by funding from the Government of Canada.
That concludes my opening remarks, Mr. Chair. I would be happy to answer any questions that Members might have. Thank you.