Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, family violence and violence against women is rising at an alarming rate, and it's pretty logical and basic that the A New Day program is trying to curb and eradicate what we're facing here in the NWT and also our communities. Mr. Speaker, it's a very difficult personal matter to talk about and I did seek counsel with one of my aunts and she's advised me well, this matter, we need to talk about it; we need to bring it out in the open so that our families and our communities are not alone. We have to address these matters, and the A New Day program is trying to do that.
A New Day has been a pilot program. It's been in operation for some time and it's been a growing experience, you know, and we had staff. But the important thing is that it's provided opportunities for people, you know, to really examine themselves and work on themselves, you know, for the ultimate interest and well-being of their families, and that's what it's doing.
The evaluation process is more likely, as a colleague has stated, that it's almost like yardstick or a measurement tool that we use to almost analyze whether the program is sufficient or not. I'm quite concerned that the Minister states that, you know, close to 40 people have gone through the program since the program was first established in 2012. It's alarming to know that, you know, perhaps the students are being misguided.
The other point that I wanted to make is, okay, well we've got this program, A New Day, what are the options, what are the choices for people? We see it right across Canada in First Nations communities, a large number of our people, a majority of First Nations people live in the correctional system. We need to embrace these initiatives that are novel and innovative and touch the core of community, First Nations people, at the ground level. We need to ensure that these programs continue.
Mr. Speaker, simply, this motion asks for more time, an extension, that maybe it'll give an opportunity for the Department of Justice maybe to reach out with the Department of Health and Social Services to see how it is that, you know, we could do more to work with the federal government to ensure that, you know, the actions and recommendations of the truth and reconciliation report reaches us in the NWT, especially in the far reaches of the NWT so that our communities and our families are able to take advantage of programs such as A New Day program.
You know, all I can say at this point is I encourage my colleagues and I appreciate their stand but, you know, throughout this whole process I appreciate their support. Mr. Speaker, those are the remarks that I have at this time. I'll ask for a recorded vote. Mahsi.
Member for Deh Cho, Member for Nunakput, Member for Hay River North, Member for Mackenzie Delta, Member for Sahtu, Member for Yellowknife North, Member for Kam Lake, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh, Member for Nahendeh, Member for Frame Lake, Member for Yellowknife Centre.
All those opposed, please stand. All those abstained, please stand.
Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Member for Range Lake, Member for Great Slave, Member for Yellowknife South, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Member for Hay River South, Member for Thebacha.
Masi. All those in favour of the motion: 11. All those opposed: 0. All those abstained: 7.
---Carried
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South that Bill 14, Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2017-2018 be read for the third time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I request a recorded vote.
Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Member for Hay River South, Member for Thebacha, Member for Hay River North, Member for Mackenzie Delta, Member for Sahtu, Member for Yellowknife North, Member for Kam Lake, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh, Member for Nahendeh, Member for Frame Lake, Member for Yellowknife Centre, Member for Nunakput, Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Member for Range Lake, Member for Great Slave, Member for Yellowknife South.
For the record, Member for Deh Cho is also in support of the motion.
All those in favour of the motion: 18. All those opposed: 0. All those abstained: 0.
---Carried
Bill 14 has had third reading and is now ready for assent.
