Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have heard a lot in regard to residential schools and the high number of children that were mentally and physically abused in residential schools.
The Auditor General of Canada reported on the high number of children on reserves that are in foster care and in permanent custody of the provincial government. Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories is no different. In 2002 in my constituency, there were 58 children in care in the three communities I represent. Compared to other jurisdictions in Canada and other groups in Canada, aboriginal people have the highest number of children in care.
This government is budgeting almost $11 million to deal with this matter in the Northwest Territories, which is a million dollar increase from last year.
In Fort McPherson alone — I checked in regard to government expenditures — they spend some $30,000 a month to deal with children in foster care, which is a cost of $360,000 a year.
We must move away from putting people and children in care, regardless of whether it is an institution or a home. What we have to do is remedy the situation by avoiding the situation that happened in the first place and working with families, children and the communities to find solutions on how to keep families together in their home communities and to be able to give those communities the tools they need to confront these problems.
One of the biggest drivers for children to be apprehended is alcohol abuse in the family. The communities have been looking at ways to deal with substance abuse in their communities by way of prohibition orders. By giving the communities the legal tools to take on these challenges and keep families together, keep communities together and, more importantly, to reinvest….
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, the communities need to be able to reinvest the $360,000 that’s presently expended on children in foster care to those types of programs and services that reunite the communities, reunite our families and bring the communities together to work to find solutions to the problems of children being apprehended.
At the appropriate time I will be having questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Members’ statements, the honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
