North

N.W.T. unveils broad stroke economic and social COVID-19 recovery plan

The premier of the Northwest Territories says her government needs to prepare for a "new normal" as it looks for ways to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic that's strangled the economy and changed the way the territory delivers services to residents.

'The planning for this needs to be inclusive' says premier

N.W.T. Premier Caroline Cochrane unveiled an economic and social recovery plan for the territory to MLAs on Wednesday. (Mario De Ciccio/Radio-Canada)

 industry, tourism and investmenturing a virtual Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight. 

Three R plan

"We should not expect that we can simply return to the programs we had before and we need to be planning for continued and strengthened programs, services and supports ahead," she said.

The plan does not include a timeline.

Plan slim on specifics

Rylund Johnson, MLA for Yellowknife North, was concerned about the lack of detail in the plan.

"I'm concerned that this presentation has zero dollars attached to it," he said.

"When is the GNWT [Government of the Northwest Territories] going to spend some money?"

The territory's Minister of Finance Caroline Wawzonek said there have been a lot of economic announcements already, including through the federal government.

"We want to be a little bit careful before we commit to too many things in the sense that we need to make sure we have our own fiscal house in order before we start making those commitments," she said. 

"That is exactly why I think we're trying to put this plan before the MLAs right now."