Health minister apologizes for obstetrics closure
NWT Health and Social Services Minister Julie Green publicly apologized on Dec. 1 for the closure of Stanton TerritorialSA国际影视传媒檚 obstetrics unit.
SA国际影视传媒淓ven with support and best efforts from NTHSSA (Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority), I know that these are not the circumstances that families wanted, and I am sorry we are not able to live up to their expectations,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
In a press conference later that day, NTHSSA CEO Kim Riles said Stanton was operating with a vacancy of 22 per cent for nursing positions.
GNWT, feds reach daycare deal
The Government of the Northwest Territories signed an agreement with the federal government to introduce $10-a-day daycare for children six-and-under within five years.
The agreement, which was announced on Dec. 15, will also create 300 new childcare spaces by 2026.
SA国际影视传媒淏efore there was a long waiting list,SA国际影视传媒� said Premier Caroline Cochrane. SA国际影视传媒淚t was a losing proposition, but this changes that.SA国际影视传媒�
Territorial employees lag on proof of vaccination
As the deadline for GNWT employees to present proof of vaccination passed on Nov. 30, nearly one in five territorial employees had still not complied.
These defiant employees were required to wear personal protective equipment and get tested regularly for the virus. Any government worker who refused those requirements would be forced to go on unpaid leave.
The only exception was staff of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, who had their deadline extended to Dec. 13.
Source of LA affidavit revealed
New details emerged about an affidavit from Nunakput MLA Jackie Jacobson criticizing the inquiry into JacobsonSA国际影视传媒檚 colleague, Steve Norn.
A letter written by Speaker of the House Frederick Blake Jr. revealed that the lawyer for the inquiry, Maurice Laprairie, had sent the affidavit to assembly law clerk Sheila MacPherson on Aug. 24.
It was previously not publicly known how the clerkSA国际影视传媒檚 office and Board of Management had obtained the affidavit.
In the legal document, Jacobson criticized the Norn inquiry as SA国际影视传媒渁 tool in the clerkSA国际影视传媒檚 arsenal to silence what he perceives as dissent in SA国际影视传媒榟isSA国际影视传媒� government.SA国际影视传媒�
Omicron variant postpones Vatican meeting
A planned meeting between Pope Francis and representatives of the First Nations, M茅tis and Inuit communities was postponed due to the emergence of the Omicron Covid-19 variant.
A Dec. 7 statement from the delegation announced that the meeting had been delayed until 2022 SA国际影视传媒渁fter careful assessment of the uncertainty and potential health risks surrounding international travel amid the recent spread of the Omicron variant.SA国际影视传媒�
The delegation will meet with the Pope to seek an apology for the Catholic ChurchSA国际影视传媒檚 role in CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 residential school system.
Gerald Antoine becomes leader of Dene Nation
Gerald Antoine was sworn in as Dene national chief on Dec. 9.
SA国际影视传媒淚 call on the Elders and encourage their continued guidance as it is importantly essential in our way of life,SA国际影视传媒� he said during the swearing-in ceremony.
Antoine, who was born in Fort Simpson, previously served as chief of the Liidlii Kue First Nation.
Compensation for healthcare workers
GNWT Health and Social Services Minister Julie Green announced additional compensation for the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 front-line healthcare workers in the form of a retroactive pay increase to help cover the cost of childcare.
Green said the CEO of the NTHSSA had also recommended other forms of compensation for employees.
The Union of Northern Workers, which represents GNWT employees at Stanton Territorial Hospital, said at the time that low morale and overworked staff were responsible for the staffing shortage that led to the closure of
StantonSA国际影视传媒檚 obstetrics unit in November.
Dettah ice road opens
The ice road linking Dettah and Yellowknife opened to traffic on Christmas Eve.
The territorySA国际影视传媒檚 Department of Infrastructure announced the opening of the bridge in a tweet on the morning of Dec. 24.
The 6.5-km highway that traverses Yellowknife Bay is expected to stay open until sometime in mid-April.
