Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday my colleagues had the opportunity to speak about treatment centres and day shelters, homeless shelters here in Yellowknife. I do agree with them; Inuvik does have an issue and it’s something that needs be addressed. In Yellowknife here, you just need to walk down to the corner to see the issues that present themselves to the capital of the Northwest Territories. We all have to work together to find solutions to these problems of homelessness, addictions, mental health, but we can’t forget about the regional centres and we can’t forget about the communities.
I had the opportunity to attend a panel discussion here in Yellowknife about a month ago when we were going through our business sessions. Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to hear about all the services that are provided in Yellowknife. Although we have a big population here, the services that are provided here don’t exist in the small communities or the regions. I am just going to list off a few here; the YWCA at Rockhill, the Salvation Army, Centre for Northern Families, the John Howard Society, the youth centre ministries, also known as SideDoor Youth Centre, the Bailey House and the Betty House, just to name a few. I’m sure there’s more.
If we go to the communities, Fort Simpson, Hay River, Norman Wells, we don’t have those types of infrastructures or services to provide to our people that need it. We can’t forget about the communities or the regional centres who are dealing with issues like this.
Mr. Speaker, I made my statement today because it did sound like Yellowknife has a really big issue and they do and we need to find solutions and support them. But outside of Yellowknife, we have 32 other communities that do need the help too.
When it comes to implementing services such as detox centres, treatment centres and homeless shelters, service providers from the communities want to hear more of a commitment rather than a maybe yes, maybe no answer to these much needed services in the communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Moses. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
