Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before I begin, I wish to acknowledge you as our incoming Speaker. And I also wish to take the opportunity to acknowledge the Premier and the incoming Cabinet. We have a lot of hopes and ambition for the 20th Assembly. I believe our trust is well placed, and I look forward to seeing how it rolls out. That said, I did want it officially on the record, Mr. Speaker, that no one could ever say I didn't say anything nice about this new Cabinet and leadership, so I truly do deeply wish them well.
Mr. Speaker, my comments will be today specifically about addictions and aftercare. The North is unfairly and disproportionately plagued with addictions, be it alcohol or drug problems. It has plagued our families. It's taking the souls of our loved ones. You know, some may say they're lost, frankly. We know where they are and many of them are in the ditches of emotion. They're trapped in these cycles and terribly in these spins of destruction. We must find a way to help and support them.
There's been numerous calls about addiction treatment programs. I have been one of those echos for years. I believe that we need to move forward.
We've heard countless calls from regions wanting to see regional programs in our communities. Indigenous governments want us to support them on these regional programs. And whether the treatment programs are on the land programs, we must do what we've been called to do, which is to help save and serve our people.
Mr. Speaker, we must not give up. And frankly, I will not give up on this issue until we find some more action.
Now, someone will always say we don't have any money for that and that may be a fact. But we should be finding money because we need to be making smarter choices. I'm prepared to give up one kilometre of highway or two kilometres of highway, or whatever it takes, to make a better choice by saving people and making sure they're healthy. But if we don't have the addictions aftercare, some of it, not all of it, is for not. And to me, it would be a misstep to go halfway. We need to follow through on the full process by helping people by providing an opportunity. Again, programs and aftercare, whether it's on the land or certainly the right support system so we can complete the package.
And lastly, Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the constituents of Yellowknife Centre. I wish to thank my wife, her wise counsel constantly, my children, and all the people, including my new family here in the Assembly. I have no doubt that we will be working hard and well for each of us and our communities and our regions for the betterment of people of the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
