Marsi cho, Mr. Chair. When we did some of our committee deliberations and we heard some of the feedback from the public, one thing that was brought up was having some on-call interpreters. I think it's really important that we have a good pool to draw from and also make sure that the right training is provided, have those supports in place. I just thought I would speak to that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Marsi cho, Mr. Chair. I remember saying, when we first got elected about a year and a half ago, you try to figure out what our record, our proceedings, are going to look like way down the road when people look back through our archives and whatnot, what languages are being used. I am hoping down the road that our elders tell us to think ahead several generations. I think this is one of those things, as well. When we speak our language in here, we want to hear that echoed in history, no matter what language we speak in here. It could be French, English, Tlicho, Dene Suline, and so on. I think it is important that we always try to accommodate our listeners out there who don't have English as their first language.

I am hoping that we could move forward with this in a positive manner and really promote our languages. Our languages are powerful medicine. My great-grandmother, Setsune, she used to tell me [English translation not available]. It's like strong medicine. It echoes in history. I am hoping that, like I said before, we get some support here and support our interpreters. Kudos to all of our interpreters here in the booths right now doing this really, really important work. We can't function without them. I am hoping we can give them all the support that we can and give support to those who follow in their footsteps. That is all I have to say for now. I would love to open comments. Marsi cho.

Marsi cho, Mr. Chair. I move that consideration of Tabled Document 286-19(2), Main Estimates 2021-2022, be now concluded, and that Tabled Document 286-19(2) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Marsi cho, Mr. Chair.

Marsi cho, Mr. Chair. There was a lot of work that went into this. A lot of staff put a lot of time into this, and as the Minister mentioned, it was a collaborative effort, a lot of moving parts. Like I said, it wasn't just any one Member. It was all of us working together. I am very, very proud that we moved forward with this. Again, you always hear the media say things about backroom deals. There was nothing like that done here. It was all very open. We had a certain amount of commitment. Of course, there is always going to be compromise. Not everybody is going to get what they want. This job is very difficult. You can't make everybody happy. We're not dry meat. Going back, it was a collaborative effort. I am very proud. I don't have much else to say. I don't have anything prepared. I am speaking from the heart here. I am really, really proud of the work that we have done as a whole. Marsi cho, Mr. Chair.

Marsi cho, Mr. Chair. Committee wishes to consider the following documents: Tabled Document 286-19(2), Main Estimates 2021-2022, and Committee Report 8-19(2), Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on Motion 5-19(2), Referral of Point of Privilege Raised by Member for Monfwi on March 10, 2020. Marsi cho, Mr. Chair.

Just trying to get going in the right direction here, again listening to my colleagues here. Given everything that we've seen over the last year, does that mean we will have a new, updated Emerging Wisely document with a clear timeline to easing restrictions?

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I'll try to tease out the right information after listening to my colleagues from Kam Lake and Great Slave. I'm happy to hear that the Department of Health and Social Services, CPHO is going to review how we are guiding our restrictions. My first question to the Minister is: is the Department of Health and Social Services still using the Emerging Wisely plan to guide decisions around restrictions? Thank you,

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I want to talk about GNWT's Emerging Wisely Plan today. This document, which was released last spring in May, laid out the government's plan in how to deal with the pandemic response. First off, I want to say what a great job our medical teams have done in mitigating the spread of this virus and a big marsi cho to all our residents who have done their part by following all the current restrictions. At the moment, we have zero active cases, and this is definitely something to be very proud of.

Mr. Speaker, since last spring, a lot has happened. This pandemic is a fluid situation, and there are new developments happening daily. Over the last year, we have made some great strides in terms of vaccination development and delivery. However, we also now have to worry about the variant strains of this disease that emerged around the world.

Mr. Speaker, as of March 26^th, according to the Department of Health and Social Services, the NWT has now administered a total of 23,722 first doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Again, great job to the medical teams. That number, we're starting to closely creep up to that herd immunity number. I think one of my colleagues will be speaking pf that today later. The Emerging Wisely document released last year, simply says a vaccine needs to be available to the large portion of our residents. Northerners so far have done their part to battle this disease. With that, what is our direction moving forward in terms of relaxing restrictions? I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services at the appropriate time. Thank you.

Marsi cho, Madam Chair. I move that the chair rise and report progress. Thank you.