Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Preparing for the coronavirus in small communities. Mr. Speaker, I'm reluctant to talk about the coronavirus a the second day in a row because it is important to let the people know not to panic, but knowing that good plans are in place to help reduce panic, so that's what I want to focus on today. Knowing that yesterday, the World Health Organization confirmed that the coronavirus outbreak is a pandemic. There's 149 cases in Canada today. There is no universal definition. There are three general criteria of the pandemic, Mr. Speaker. A virus that can cause illness or death, sustain person-to-person transmission, and evidence of spread throughout the world.

Yesterday's announcement sent a signal to many countries to shift focus on trying to stop the spread of the virus, trying to slow it down. In some countries, containment is not realistic in point, however, the remote location where our communities could take advantage of that, Mr. Speaker, in stopping the spread. We need to be clear communication from this government today about the illnesses. What are we doing? Is the NWT to confront this illness, Mr. Speaker? My phone is blowing up from my mayors regarding when are we going to start hearing from our Municipal and Community Affairs?

I want to know: where are they going to put all the people if there's illness in the communities, Mr. Speaker? What is the government considering on closing the highways or halting travel or checking people at the main airport in Edmonton or here in Yellowknife before they go north? Will there be more healthcare providers put in the community, and when? How is Health and Social Services marshalling respirators to send into our communities? How will the food supplies to get into our communities if there's a sustained outbreak, Mr. Speaker? They also need to know, when can we trigger the emergency plans? Can we do that now, or do we have to wait until people are getting sick? We have to be proactive, not reactive, Mr. Speaker. We need emergency plans that have to get acted on. As I said, because of the remote location, we might still be able to stop the spread of the virus in or communities, but we'll have to take action fast, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted