Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The residents of the Northwest Territories are wondering when this government is going to start looking after their interest in safety. The residents feel that this government is failing them in all aspects of services - in housing, in health care, in education, and the list goes on. During this past week, the Justice department has taken a different perspective in terms of protecting our residents of our communities. In my community of Tetlit Zheh, like all other communities within the NWT, they are dealing with a drug crisis. I've always stated that if alcohol and/or drugs takes over the lives of our residents, it will have a negative impact on all governmental departments.
Mr. Speaker, during the past week in my community of Tetlit Zheh, there was a serious crime committed by two local male persons. The two individuals forced themselves into a public housing unit and held the two adults hostage at knifepoint. The unit is occupied by two adults and their children. The crime in question is considered very serious in nature and is related to the drug trade. As of today, one of the accused has been apprehended and charged with multiple crimes. The other assailant is still at large.
Mr. Speaker, within a few days of being arrested and charged with some serious crimes, which includes placing a resident's life in danger with a weapon, the accused was free on bail and reportedly back in the community where these crimes were committed. When is this government going to start protecting the residents of their respective communities?
Mr. Speaker, the residents of our smaller communities are terrified and are looking at this government for protection. The RCMP has done their part with the investigation and charged one of the accused only to be let down by this government and the system. When can we start feeling safe within our communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will have questions for the justice Minister. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Mackenzie Delta. Members' statements. Member from the Deh Cho.
Member’s Statement 348-20(1):
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak about the ability of elders in our communities to age in place in their own homes for as long as they are able to do so. Many elders wish to remain in their home communities, in their own homes, as they age. To do so means they require the appropriate health and social supports to live safely and independently. Elders experience higher rates of social isolation, mobility issues, and health conditions that require particular attention as we support their wishes to age in place. Not all elders can rely on family to provide assistance, and we need to think about that in terms of the support we provide.
Mr. Speaker, in case of an elder aging in place at home, one large concern is what happens when there's an emergency and there's no one to reach out to help. In one of my communities, an elder had to call the RCMP to help her to get to the health centre because the nurse at the health centre said she could not leave the health centre. So my constituents have concerns that this is happening, that nurses are not able to leave the health centres to provide care for these elders when they're unable to get to the health centre on their own. Elders are asking who do they call for help in an urgent medical situation in small communities? They are being told the nurses cannot provide care off-site. With the aging population, it is expected that more and more services will be needed for elders in our communities, and we all don't have emergency services such as trained medics or ambulances in some of our small communities.
Mr. Speaker, a change in policy is required that ensures that services elders need are available so they can age safely in their homes which includes health care in urgent situations. With our aging population, this is an issue that needs to be addressed now. I will have questions for the Minister of health later. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from the Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member from Yellowknife North.
