There are a variety of supports across the Government of the Northwest Territories that are available to all residents of the Northwest Territories in times of need. We have income support. We have housing that provides a number of different supports to residents of the Northwest Territories. I don't think we have enough time to list all of the things that they do, but I will say that part of the process of building stronger families is helping families connect with those resources that exist and helping identify the resources that will be appropriate for the times. Once again, I do want to say, we are halfway through implementation of Building Stronger Families. The first couple of years have really been focused on fixing the foundation, fixing the core, and we are starting to do some of these tests like we did with the Housing Corporation to explore these new ideas and new ways of doing business.
I will say, and I think it's good news, we have seen an increase in the number of Child and Family Services files over the last number of years, but what we have also seen is a larger increase of voluntary interactions with us rather than apprehension based activities, and more children staying with their families through voluntary service agreements and trying to find these creative ways to access programs. We still have children who are being apprehended. We want to see that number go down. We have seen that number going down in the last couple of years. We’ve seen the number of mediations rather than court activities start to take off. It didn't exist a couple of years ago. We have families that are providing supports through a foster program. We found a way to expedite the process for families so that they can get some resources. Things are going in the right direction. We have a long way to go. In my mind, one of the largest challenges we have is the fact that we have a lot of staff out there. We have been doing certain things in a certain way for a long time. It is hard to change attitudes, beliefs, and we are working to make those improvements, and I ask you to work with us as we continue to make these changes to keep families together rather than tearing them apart. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled "Main Estimates 2018-2019." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following two documents entitled "Follow-Up Letter for Oral Question 830-18(2): Small Community Employment Support Program," and "Follow-Up Letter for Oral Question 912-(2): Small Community Employment Support Program." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Tabling of documents. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. I have four documents to table. First is "Gwich'in Open to Discussion Consultation about Premier's 'Red Alert' Statement" dated November 3, 2017.
The next one is "News Release Premier 'Red Alert' Statement from Taicho Government" dated November 7, 2017.
The next one is "Reconciliation Efforts Welcomed by Inuvialuit Regional Corporation" dated November 6, 2017. The last one is Dene Nation News Release "We, the Dene, Need to Govern Ourselves as a Right to Self-Determination" dated November 2, 2017. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
I now call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of committee? Mr. Beaulieu.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I move that the chair of Committee of the Whole leave the chair and report progress. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. There is a motion to report progress. All those in favour? All those opposed?
---Carried
I will rise and report progress.
Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Member's Statement 1-18(3), North Slave Correctional Complex Inmate Concerns, and we would like to report progress; and, Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
Masi. Do I have a seconder? Member for Yellowknife Centre. The motion is in order. All those in favour? All those opposed?
---Carried
The orders of the day for Friday, February 9, 2017, at 10:00 a.m.:
Prayer
Ministers' Statements
Members' Statements
Returns to Oral Questions
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Acknowledgements
Oral Questions
Written Questions
Returns to Written Questions
Replies to Commissioner's Opening Address
Replies to Budget Address (Day 2 of 7)
Petitions
Reports of Standing and Special Committees
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills
Tabling of Documents
Notices of Motion
Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills
Motions
First Reading of Bills
Second Reading of Bills
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
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Minister's Statement 1-18(3), North Slave Correctional Complex Inmate Concerns
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Tabled Document 63-18(3), Main Estimates 2018-2019
Report of Committee of the Whole
Third Reading of Bills
Orders of the Day
Masi, Mr. Clerk. This House stands adjourned until Friday, February 9, 2018, at 10:00 a.m.
---ADJOURNMENT
The House adjourned at 4:37 p.m.
