Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in November 2021, the federal government implemented a mandatory vaccine policy that would impact employees and contractors working in federally-regulated sectors, as well as travelers in Canada. The two federal sectors that directly impact the NWT are air and marine transportations services.

Mr. Speaker, to enhance the safety of its residents, this government implemented vaccine policies of our own to public sector workers and contractors in the NWT. The policies are comparatively uniformed throughout departments, except for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation and marine transportation services. Due to the federal mandatory vaccine policies, both opted for stringent policies.

Mr. Speaker, there are limited exceptions to the vaccine requirements for travelers to address the realities of remote fly-in communities. However, the Government of Canada, in a backgrounder document dated October 6th, 2021, stated that this vaccination mandate will include specific accommodation to recognize the unique needs of travelers from small, remote communities, some of which are not accessible by road, to ensure they will be able to travel to obtain essential services in support of their medical health or social wellbeing.

It went further by committing to engaging with Indigenous groups and territories.

Mr. Speaker, in the Northwest Territories, communities outside Yellowknife rely on the knowledge, experience, supports, and multiple of services provided by public sector employees and contractors living throughout the NWT. Not all employees require access to the communities which is, in part, why there is the allowance for accommodation and enhanced use of PPE and testing.

Almost two years of operating without terminating or placing any employees on leave without pay, this has become a reality in the last month; in part, due to the mandatory federal vaccine requirements to board aircraft.

Mr. Speaker, I am concerned that we are not only losing long-term employee but we are placing our small communities at risk through the loss of northern expertise, knowledge, and experience.

I would ask those on the other side of this floor to actively lobby, based on our unique circumstances in the Northwest Territories, the federal government for relaxation of vaccine requirements for all air travel in the NWT or, in alternative, the charter flights. Mr. Speaker, I'll have questions for the Minister responsible for Human Resources. Thank you.