Thank you. Of course, that was well known. The motion passed in the House was well after 2008, so the Minister will be aware of that. I’m talking about a veterinarian seat here, not a veterinarian’s assistant. So whilst this student assistance review is underway and will be considered in next year’s budget, this candidate has given us three years’ advanced notice to come up with this support, and there’s obviously a desperate need for a veterinarian across the NWT and it’s been well established. So I guess I’d like to just start by asking the Minister if he does agree that there is a desperate...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is indeed a great pleasure to have young people in the House today. An extra energy to enjoy here. I’d like to recognize a couple of Weledeh residents. Miss Aurora Nind – Aurora, if you could stand up – and Miss Thea Guy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I moved this motion because I believe the program described is too good an idea to ignore. Debates in this Assembly in recent days, throughout our term to date, and throughout the previous term indicated the priority placed upon effectively treating the plague of substance abuse that causes such sorrow to our people and harm to our economy and cultures.

Combating addictions is a specific action item in the Believing in People and Building on the Strength of Northerners priorities adopted by the 17th Assembly. This program approach appears to offer an opportunity to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to deal with Motion 4-17(2), which I gave notice of yesterday. Mahsi.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to table two documents. The first is entitled, “Letters and E-Mails Received in Support of the Need for Urgent Action on Climate Change.” The second one is entitled, “Proposal for Substance Abuse Pre-Treatment/Aftercare and Counselling.” Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to return to item 9, written questions, on the Order Paper.

---Unanimous consent granted

I appreciate those perspectives from the Minister. I’ve repeatedly asked whether there have been other veterinarian students and the only information I’ve ever been given by the department was on veterinarian assistants. So I’d be happy to have that information confirmed, but of course we’re not talking about many seats. It’s rare that we have students come forward with the qualifications for going after a veterinarian degree, and recognizing the need and the interest from the Sahtu for example, recently, I think we need to get this done. So I’d ask the Minister, will he go after this so that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask questions of the Minister of ECE today. A motion was passed in the Assembly, a previous Assembly, calling on the Minister of ECE to reinstate the policy of sponsoring a placement in the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine. As I explained at that time, we have an ideal NWT-born, trained and committed candidate coming forward for application to that program. The Minister said he would ensure consideration of reinstatement of this sponsorship in the current review of the Student Financial Assistance Program. I’d just like to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the House considers the issue of bullying, I want to ensure we consider the postnatal, the preschool and early childhood development aspects of prevention. Based on evolving studies, educators strongly urge that bullying and peer-directed aggression be tackled early in the child’s life. The suggestions make sense. Home life, child care and preschool set the tone to a child’s future perception of school and community, one that can persist throughout the child’s entire school career and life.

Bullying can be aggravated if a disconnection occurs between home and school...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the comments from all Members of the Legislative Assembly here today. Basically in summary, we have exceptionally high rates of addictions in the Northwest Territories. Our current programs have stagnated, but we need a practical approach. This program draws on the tried and true buddy system, it’s community-based, it allows us to work together, it recognizes the high costs of addictions in terms of human health, correctional and community costs and so on. It’s a priority of this Assembly and it’s a step toward addictions-free communities. This is only one...