Question 339-19(2): Emerging Wisely Plan  Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As part of the public health risk assessment framework that is included in the Emerging Wisely Plan, the Chief Public Health Officer has publicly stated what might take a community or the Northwest Territories back a phase or back into containment is the m

Question 338-19(2): Managed Alcohol and Medical Detoxification Programs  Right now, we are in the process of hiring staff. We have got a whole other government department, departments working together. Here in the Northwest Territories, we always reach out to partnerships. We work together. It's not just a GNWT problem. It's substance abuse and alcoho

Question 338-19(2): Managed Alcohol and Medical Detoxification Programs  I just want to put this in perspective just to let people know that we are serious about this and this is a big issue. We referenced earlier about the CAPE report, and the Northwest Territories is a little low in some of the indicators. I want to say that we've received some fund

Question 338-19(2): Managed Alcohol and Medical Detoxification Programs  Going forward, using insights that we have gained from this COVID experience, we have been able to work with partners to make this type of harm-reduction program a permanent part of addiction services here in the Northwest Territories. However, it's a little too early to say what

Question 338-19(2): Managed Alcohol and Medical Detoxification Programs  Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The establishment of a managed alcohol program is a commitment of the mandate of this Assembly. Research into what a managed alcohol program could look like in the Northwest Territories is something our department has done a fair bit of work at. The COVID-

Question 332-19(2): Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on Seniors  Like I mentioned, we are still in the first wave. We are looking forward to a second wave. We're easing up wisely. We're loosening some of the things. We'll do a big announcement tomorrow that some folks might be happy with, some folks might not be happy with. Can't please everyo

Question 332-19(2): Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on Seniors  We watched what was happening across Canada and where seniors were passing on as a result of not tightening up rules. That really sent a message to us here in the Northwest Territories, so we acted really quick to make sure that we restricted some of the access to our long-term c

Question 332-19(2): Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on Seniors  Another absolutely. It is important that our home and community care workers work hard in the communities. We are looking at extending hours. We will be talking about the home and community care review after rise of the House today. There are some recommendations in the review th

Question 332-19(2): Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on Seniors  Absolutely. Right now, we are going through this first wave of COVID. We are learning from some of the things that we are doing, therefore, allows us to better inform residents of the Northwest Territories. It is important and communication is key. Especially if we are moving int

Question 331-19(2): Family Reunification During COVID-19 Pandemic  Absolutely. As things change and as things develop within this COVID-19, our department is frequently updating our website. We are providing information through media, through a variety of radio, the list continues. Our department continuously provides communication as things com

Question 331-19(2): Family Reunification During COVID-19 Pandemic  It varies. I talked in the House this week about how busy our Protect NWT is, and how busy our 8-1-1 is. We are getting to the tune of 1,600. I can't remember, but we are getting a lot of requests for exemptions, for complaints, for enforcement, border control. Our Chief Public H

Question 331-19(2): Family Reunification During COVID-19 Pandemic  There are two public health officers to put orders in place, however, within the orders, there are exemptions. One of the exemptions is to make an application to Protect NWT or call 8-1-1 and request the exemption for families to be able to reunite, especially in the situation of

Question 331-19(2): Family Reunification During COVID-19 Pandemic  Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the COVID virus came, when it started happening all over the world, the GNWT took extreme measures to ensure that we restricted a lot of things, and that meant closing down some of our long-term care centres, and that meant putting restrictions in pla

Question 330-19(2): Creating Safe Communities for Older Adults  In addition to the work that is specific to seniors, the department is also taking steps to address and reduce the family violence in general. The department has looked at the strategy. It is coming up for expiry, and I did mention that we are looking to work together, and that i

Question 330-19(2): Creating Safe Communities for Older Adults  The GNWT is committed to supporting the ongoing work to protect seniors from abuse and providing, again, ongoing funding to support this network. We are committed to working actively as members of this NWT network so that we can continue to prevent the abuse of elders, and also l