The federal government announced $500 million, and I think what the Member is asking is: how much of this money will we receive here in the Northwest Territories and the provinces, and is this amount sufficient? We are pleased that the federal government has announced this funding. We have heard from the federal Minister of Health that this funding is just the beginning of support which is great because that is not a lot of money. We are currently working to identify areas where funding can support us and how much we will need to do this. Officials in my department are working to prepare a list of our needs and finalizing proposals, and we are expected to complete this by tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am sincere with the Member's concerns. I am from a small community, as well, and in preparation for our week coming up, we will be going home. This is fairly new, and we have been planning and planning. There are measures being taken within our departments to ensure that we have safeguards in all of our communities, all 33 communities in the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Yes, the departments are working together, and there was a meeting yesterday, my colleagues here have just informed me. Plans are underway, and our departments and the Northwest Territories, we take this seriously. We are all working together as a department to ensure that messaging and information to our communities is done, and it's immediate.

The Departments of Health and Social Services and Municipal and Community Affairs are providing information, guidance, and support to community and Indigenous governments. The department will continue to share information necessary for their planning efforts. The local and regional authorities, governments, agencies, and businesses should be finalizing emergency readiness plans in light of the potential for a COVID-19 outbreak. An outbreak in the Northwest Territories could impact community services and may increase the need for basic supplies, as well as water delivery, sewage pump-out, and facilities to the homes. Organizers of these events and gatherings should assess their plans, recognizing that this is an evolving situation that may require rapid decisions to protect the health and well-being of our residents here in the Northwest Territories. We know that community members will band together and support each other in the event that COVID-19 reaches their community.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared, as we are aware, a pandemic by the World Health Organization, and requires enhanced public health and emergency preparedness. The Member is asking: what is the government doing to prepare? The GNWT has a territorial planning committee which is leading a broader, all-of-government approach emergency response planning to address potential disruptions and essential community, regional, and territorial services and support.

The Health and Social Services emergency operations centre has been fully activated to permit the Health and Social Services system to coordinate rapid planning in advance of a Northwest Territories outbreak. The chief medical public health officer is leading the public health preparations and surveillance and providing subject matter expertise to the Health and Social Services system and the GNWT on pandemic planning requirements. The NWT COVID-19 pandemic planning guide and checklist is guiding the Health and Social Services system preparations. The Health and Social Services authorities are planning for a surge in cases that may affect regular delivery of health services. Decisions around deferring the delivery of non-essential health services may be made as necessary. Staff have received fresher training on infectious disease protocols. The Northwest Territories receives routine updates from the Canadian public health office officials on suspected and confirmed cases reported in other parts of Canada and the world. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to table the following two documents, "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 88-19(2), Alcohol Strategy;" and "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 105-19(2), Medical Travel Claim Forms." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

In the next couple of weeks, we'll be coming to committee to review our budget items, and, in my briefings, I've gone through my department's budget items. You know, we have a big budget, and I understand the Member is asking for the total amount. I've seen the amount; I just can't recall it offhand. I can have a look at it and get back to the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I think that is kind of the same question that was asked. Let me just re-answer it to say that I will get back to the Member. Repatriation is, again, important. The reason why we send some of our patients out is because we don't have the complex services that other provinces are able to offer. That is why we send them out. If there is ability to bring them back, then, absolutely, our department will look into that.

Repatriarchy is very important to our department. If and where necessary, if we can provide services closer to home and bring our patients back to the Northwest Territories, that is very important to us. It is also a cost saving. I can have a look to see what's in the report again just to refresh my memory and get back to the Member.