[Statement delivered in aboriginal language and then in English.]
Mr. Speaker, one long standing issue facing the community of Wrigley has been a lack of permanent nursing and policing services. The government’s position has been that until there are police stationed in Wrigley, Health and Social Services would not station a permanent nurse there.
The situation has changed, Mr. Speaker. There is now a guarantee that there will soon be policing services in that community, and I want to thank the Minister of Justice and the Government of the Northwest Territories for that.
On the same note, I do have to say that the Department of Health and Social Services has indicated that they will not be moving forward with placing a permanent nurse in that community. The funding is available to station a nurse in the community, so why the delay in meeting and agreeing to the commitment that was previously made?
Wrigley has been without permanent nursing services for many years. Communities with residents deserve some level of assurance that they can receive essential health care when they need it.
Mr. Speaker, one of the goals we established at the beginning of this Assembly was a commitment to help foster vibrant and healthy communities and individuals. How can we possibly meet that goal if our smallest communities are denied access to locally available, basic health services?
Wrigley and other small communities in the NWT deserve better from this government. I urge the government to live up to its commitment to the people of Wrigley and station a permanent nurse in that community. Mahsi cho.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.
