Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to continue a discussion today on the downtown day shelter. Back in my December 13th Member’s statement and questions, I asked the government about its intention to extend the much needed services that are provided by the downtown day shelter to people who are homeless. In the Minister’s reply he talked about the department’s intention to continue that partnership with the City of Yellowknife, but he also continues to go on in the context of once the review is done, they will continue that funding.
It’s no surprise to anyone in this House, and certainly the community, that I’m a definite supporter of the downtown day shelter and I agree with the principles of why it exists. The department’s objectives of that contribution agreement were built around the fact that we should provide a warm place for clients to access washrooms, telephones, et cetera. It also provides support and referral information to other agencies and to operate between 7:00 in the morning and 7:00 at night seven days a week.
From the sounds of that, some if not most of those particular objectives are being met, but the sad case of the reality here is not all of them are being met. At the same time I’m hearing several complaints over the last couple of years regarding many serious issues, such as on-site drinking, substance abuse, abuse to staff, and quite frankly, I’ve heard other things I dare not say in this House.
With that being the case, I’d like to talk today about how we’re going to address some of these particular problems. I emphasize I am a supporter of the downtown day shelter, but it cannot exist in the same type of partnership that it’s existing in now.
It would be technically correct if the Minister of Health and Social Services says to me, oh, Mr. Hawkins, that’s a John Howard Society problem, they must deal with this; and he may be technically correct. However, as long as the GNWT’s money is going in as a partner, as a full partner, as a major partner in this objective, we do have a say as to what is happening down there. We should have a say before we renew this particular contract.
I will say without any hesitation that the environment there needs to be safe, respectable, positive and it must provide referrals to other agencies out there. We must create an environment that is safe, respectful and positive, I say again.
I will be asking questions to the Minister of Health and Social Services, because we must meet these mutually agreeable objectives. Because we care for these people, we wouldn’t waver on any of these.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
