Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to follow up on my Member’s statement, and I would address these questions to the Minister responsible for Women and the Executive.
I would like to, again, commend all my male colleagues for wearing a white ribbon today, and I would hope that you don’t just wear the white ribbon today but that you will continue to wear the white ribbon throughout the year as an indication of your pledge to actively work against violence against women.
The Coalition on Family Violence Action Plan 2 has certainly done a lot of work. It has increased the awareness and the prevention of family violence and abuse throughout the NWT but, as I said in my statement, we need to continue the work that the coalition has been doing. They’ve done a good job and I feel that we need to continue to support them. I would like to ask the Minister what consideration has the Minister and/or his staff given to the 19 recommendations in the Phase 3 action plan. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Premier, Mr. McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We, too, are very grateful for the work that has been done by the Status of Women Council and also the Native Women’s Association. With regard to the 19 recommendations on the Coalition Against Family Violence, we are just starting the process of reviewing them as we begin getting ready for the business planning process.
Thanks to the Minister for that response. We are probably entering into a time where the staff and Ministers are developing business plans for the 2012-13 year now and probably in early January. There’s a specific request from the coalition for core funding in three areas: one, to stabilize existing shelters; two, enhance community services related to family violence; and three, establish a program for men who use violence and abuse. I’d like to know from the Minister, relative to these three specific requests for core funding to continue the work that’s already been done and accomplished and that we recognize, I’d like to ask the Minister how this government will respond to that particular request for core funding. Thank you.
We will be responding to each of those three requests. On the first one, on the shelters, I believe we have responded in the affirmative, that as a government we will be continuing funding for the continuation of the shelter program. On the two other requests, we’re still reviewing on the training for prevention of violence for men. We are reviewing the proposed program to see if it meets the requirements of both the government and that they will be successful. On the other one, we’re also reviewing that specific request as well.
Thanks to the Premier. I’m really pleased to hear that these recommendations are being reviewed and I would hope that they are being seriously reviewed. The Minister mentioned that they will continue funding particularly in regard to stabilizing existing shelters. I would hope that that would be core funding and not just one-time funding, because that is the specific request of the coalition.
I’d like to know from the Minister, as they review these recommendations and as they consider additions or deletions or whatever to the business plans upcoming, how will the Minister, how will the Minister’s staff involve the coalition and their partners in the consideration of their requests. Thank you.
I believe that the coalition has provided a valuable service to the government and we will continue to involve them as we go through in reviewing these 19 recommendations.
Thank you, Mr. Premier. Your final, short supplementary.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks for the answer. I guess I would like to get a little more specific, and I appreciate that you’re going to involve them, but can the Premier tell me specifically how you will involve them. Will you bring them in for department discussions or consultation, or will you simply send them e-mails? Can I get an indication of what kind of involvement you’re referencing? Thank you.
We will be reviewing them and we will be involving them where it will make the most sense and where we will get the best advice for the amount of money that we spend on it.
Thank you, Mr. Premier. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
