NWT will get just under $600,000 of the $1 billion the federal government has earmarked for the COVID-19 response fund, Premier Caroline Cochrane told MLAs Monday.

She said so as some MLAs on Monday predicted hard economic times for Northern businesses as local consumers stay home and tourism dwindles. In response to their questions, Cochrane acknowledged that the federal money was inadequate. 

The health crisis would be dealt with first, followed by the economic impact, she said. 

SA国际影视传媒淲hen the economy comes, my instinct is telling me my first words will be: That is not enough," she told MLAs.

Finance minister Caroline Wawzonek was set to discuss possible support with the federal government on Monday afternoon, she said.

Much of the potential economic stimulus for the territory depends on Ottawa, Cochrane said. Adding that the current priority was on resident health and groceries, she also acknowledged NWT will take an economic hit.

SA国际影视传媒淲e do know there will be a downturn in our economy. We know that thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a downturn in our economy across Canada,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲e are trying to plan not only about the financial restitution of business, weSA国际影视传媒檙e also trying to plan about keeping our supply chain open.SA国际影视传媒�

Yellowknife Centre MLA Julie Green said business owners and their workers are SA国际影视传媒渟tressed.SA国际影视传媒� Facing a lack of generous sick leaves and contingency plans, she urged a recovery plan funded through federal money.

SA国际影视传媒淲hat ISA国际影视传媒檓 concerned about is we will have the health crisis, and then we will go into an economic crisis (as a result),SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Cochrane agreed all sectors will see an impact, not only tourism operators struggling with cancelled reservations and lost international customers. More businesses will see the economic realities of COVID-19 as the situation unfolds, she said.  

SA国际影视传媒淎t this point, it would be irresponsible for us to just start bailing out one or two businesses,SA国际影视传媒� Cochrane said, noting there will likely be more facing tough times.

MLAs set sights on evictions, utility limiters

Outside of federal support, Hay River South MLA Rocky Simpson pressed Cochrane on GNWT support for small business, outside of federal efforts. She said the government was looking at procurements, bill payments and easing loan access, but didnSA国际影视传媒檛 promise anything yet.

Simpson was also one of the MLAs, alongside Nunakput MLA Jackie Jacobson, that demanded the NWT Power Corporation scrap utility limiters. 

Simpson said he was SA国际影视传媒渄ismayedSA国际影视传媒� at power corp. Minister Shane ThompsonSA国际影视传媒檚 response, which didnSA国际影视传媒檛 commit to scrapping limiters.

SA国际影视传媒淣itpickingSA国际影视传媒� on limiters would lead to the same response on evictions and housing, Simpson said.  SA国际影视传媒淏oth those things have to be put aside at least for the next few months,SA国际影视传媒� he added. 

Cochrane said her cabinet would discuss evictions and power rates, but wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 commit to any specific solutions. SA国际影视传媒淲e canSA国际影视传媒檛 just shut down every collection, every business happening, or every bill out of speculation. But we will be having those discussions,SA国际影视传媒� she said. 

Those meetings will be happening daily, she said, in a planning environment that Cochrane has described as an hourly battle to keep on top of the rapidly evolving situation in a territory with limited health resources. 

SA国际影视传媒淭he federal government does know our needs, and weSA国际影视传媒檙e working as best we can with our limited resources,SA国际影视传媒� she said.