PUBLICATIONS
COVID-19 Developments in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut
30-Mar-20By McLennan Ross Labour & Employment Team
Northwest Territories
Public Health
- On March 21, 2020, the Chief Public Health Officer issued a Public Health Order that:
- Closes the NWT border and prohibits everyone from entering the territory, except the following, among others:
- NWT residents returning home;
- Workers importing/exporting goods or providing supply chain services;
- Flight crews;
- Essential services workers or supporting workers;
- Medical travelers from Nunavut;
- Transient workers in the mineral and petroleum resources industry; and
- Workers involved in government capital infrastructure projects;
- Requires NWT residents to self-isolate for 14 days upon their return to the NWT in either Yellowknife, Inuvik, Hay River, or Fort Smith. A self-isolation plan must be completed and approved by a Public Health Officer;
- Requires import/export, supply chain, and flight crew workers to self-monitor and abide by social distancing guidelines established by the Chief Public Health Officer. These workers must immediately self-isolate and contact a Public Health Officer if they exhibit symptoms; and
- Requires essential services workers and their support staff to self-monitor and contact Public Health for directions.
- Closes the NWT border and prohibits everyone from entering the territory, except the following, among others:
- The Public Health Order remains in effect until further notice.
- More details on border closure
- More details for travelers
- More details on worker exemptions
Government Support for Businesses
- The Business Development and Investment Corporation (“BDIC”) is offering qualified small businesses in the NWT with loans up to $25,000 (or more) at a rate of 1.75%. Loans will be amortized for up to five years with options for payment deferment.
- Current clients of BDIC may apply for reduced or deferred payments of up to three months without penalty or additional interest.
- More details
Government
- The Government of the Northwest Territories (“GNWT”) has asked the majority of its employees to work from home beginning on March 19, 2020.
- Essential government operations and services to residents will continue.
- Many GNWT offices and facilities are closed, but online services are available. A full list of closures and affected services is available here.
- Land Titles Office, Corporate Registries, and Personal Property Registry are only available online until further notice.
- More details
Schools and Childcare
- All schools in the Northwest Territories will be closed for the remainder of the 2019/2020 academic year. (More details)
- Early learning and childcare programs will remain open, where possible. (More details)
Courts
- Court of Appeal for the Northwest Territories
- Sittings scheduled for April 21st will proceed by telephone or in writing only.
- Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories
- Regular Civil Chambers will proceed by way of teleconference only until further notice.
- Special Civil Chambers scheduled between now and May 1st that do not have testimony may proceed by telephone.
- All case management conferences will proceed by teleconference until further notice.
- All matters will proceed in Courtroom 201. Members of the public are not permitted to attend court until further notice.
- The Registry remains open for filing of documents.
- More details
- Territorial Court of the Northwest Territories
- All lawyers are to be appear by telephone only until further notice.
- All civil proceedings outside Yellowknife are cancelled until June 1st. Matters will be automatically rescheduled.
- All civil proceedings in Yellowknife will be automatically adjourned to the first Monday at 9:30 a.m. that follows a 12-week period from the previously scheduled court date.
- Only urgent interlocutory matters may proceed before June 1st.
- All civil mediations scheduled prior to June 1st will be rescheduled after May 31st, unless parties wish to proceed by way of teleconference.
- All matters will proceed in Courtroom 202. Members of the public are not permitted to attend court until further notice.
- The Registry remains open for filing of documents.
- More details
Nunavut
Public Health
- A public health emergency has been declared.
- Only Nunavut residents and critical workers will be allowed into the territory.
- Anyone traveling into Nunavut must self-isolate for 14 days in either Ottawa, Winnipeg, Edmonton, or Yellowknife before boarding the plane.
- Critical workers require written permission from the Chief Public Health Officer before flying into the territory.
- Critical workers traveling from international locations or high-risk areas are not allowed in Nunavut.
- More details
Government Support for Businesses
- The Government of Nunavut (“GN”) will provide a one-time grant of $5,000 to eligible small businesses through the Small Business Support Program.
- More details
Government
- All non-essential GN personnel will work from home.
- Residents should call and make appointments for services before attending in-person.
- Labour Standards Office is available to provide services.
- More details
Schools and Daycares
- Schools and daycares in Nunavut will be closed for three weeks beginning on March 17, 2020.
- More details
Courts
- Nunavut Court of Justice
- Regular operations have been suspended, including satellite court operations. The suspension will remain in effect until further notice.
- All civil matters have been adjourned sine die. After June 1, 2020, counsel will be asked to address all suspended civil matters.
- Emergency matters will proceed by telephone only.
- The Registry remains open for the filing of electronic documents only.
- The Courthouse in Iqaluit is closed to the public.
- More details
- Nunavut Sheriff’s Office
- The Nunavut Sheriff’s Office will be suspending all document service (current and new) for the time being.