Michael Nadli

Even so, although it may be a better option than regular courts, I am not convinced that wellness courts are the most suitable option for individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Wellness court could create demand that offenders accept responsibility for the crimes that they have been charged with, and "be ready to put in a lot of hard work." For many people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, this just may not be a fair expectation. How have our courts programs have been adapted to suit the unique needs of people with FASD?

Mr. Speaker, I admire this work greatly. Here in the NWT, our healthcare and education systems are taking some important steps to improve resources for people with FASD, but, unfortunately, these make the gaps in our justice system stand out even more. I am hopeful that one day soon our people can have access to supports like those offered in Manitoba. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

I think the department is on the right path. There is some innovation in terms of thinking, to try to decolonize the society here in the North, especially attitudes towards incarceration, and so can the Minister commit to considering the implementation of specialized courts programming for individuals with FASD in the NWT?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my statement, I talked about the fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, so my questions are to the Minister of Justice. Without a question here in the Northwest Territories, we have high rates of alcohol and drug abuse. My question is: the Northwest Territories Wellness Court is meant to support people with addictions or cognitive issues. Can the Minister tell me if our wellness courts currently support people with FASD? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today, I want to talk about FASD. FASD, or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, is what they call an umbrella term. It covers various possible diagnoses, each with potential physical and cognitive issues for someone who was exposed to alcohol in the womb.

In Canada, FASD is the leading known cause of preventable developmental disability. It is a lifelong disability, and it affects an estimated 1 in every 100 Canadians. That is about 330,000 people.

Through prevention activities, we can build a future without FASD, but, because FASD cannot be reversed or cured, prevention...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [No translation provided.] Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

No further questions.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I wanted to ask a question, and I don't know specifically where it might fall under, but it is in regard to the itinerant model for the pilots that ran in some communities in the Deh Cho. I could likely make reference to the community of Fort Providence, for it was a shift of resources of guidance counsellors to mental health workers who worked in schools, and in particular in Fort Providence, you know, the positions were created of child and youth care counsellors. I understand that, you know, it was a pilot. There is the move toward expanding upon that whole program...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is well known that Indigenous children and families are over-represented within CFS. Further, while the number of non-Indigenous children in care has declined over the past 10 years, the proportion of Indigenous children has remained roughly the same, approximately 95 percent. The committee is also aware that many residents have observed or experienced parallels between involvement with CFS and the residential school system, particularly the very real fear of having one's children removed from their home and community by government officials.

During the public hearing...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, that is the clarity I was seeking in terms of what could be the next stages of this initiative. I don't question the intent and spirit behind the initiatives that will ensure that our youth get the attention that they deserve, especially in terms of mental health counselling, so that was the purpose of my question.

I'm just trying to understand further whether there would be an opportunity to ensure that, other than the memorandum of understanding that has been struck between the department with the boards of education, but ensuring that the schools, you know, the...