Nunavut’s members of the legislative assembly will return to the House on Sept. 21, marking the first sitting since February and the first since Covid-19 emerged in Canada.
The focus of the upcoming meetings will be to consider territorial government expenses related to the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as other business, according to Speaker Paul Quassa.
The assembly’s spring sitting, scheduled for May 26-June 4, was cancelled due to Covid-19.
“Because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, there is a need to follow physical distancing guidelines and avoid non-essential travel. Consequently, public access to the foyer and visitors’ gallery of the legislative assembly chamber will be restricted as of Sept. 14, and this year’s Youth Parliament is cancelled,” Quassa stated.
The two newest members to join the assembly – Baker Lake’s Craig Simailak and Kugluktuk’s Calvin Pedersen, both via acclimation in byelections – will assume their sits during this sitting.