Mr. Speaker, today I would like to continue a discussion that we have had in this House before. The issue of funding for youth centres in smaller communities is a growing concern.

We all know the issues before us. Youth in the NWT face many challenges. They are torn between modern and traditional way of life. They are expected to succeed in school, at work, and become our future leaders. We also know that the mental, emotional and physical health of many NWT youth is poor, Mr. Speaker. We agree that we have to promote youth involvement in positive lifestyle choices. This will help our youth to have a vision for the future. It will also help them to stay in school instead of using drugs and alcohol as escapes. It will help them stay out of trouble, Mr. Speaker.

Several years ago, the social envelope department started an NWT youth initiative and recently, the Northern Youth Program. We now have a Minister responsible for Youth. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has three policies that are directed towards youth. None of these programs provide funding for youth centres, Mr. Speaker. All they do is construct and renovate buildings. How can that be? What use is a building if there is no program dollars attached to it or no money for a qualified person to run the programs, Mr. Speaker?

Even Minister McLeod has acknowledged that the lack of operating funds is a gap that is creating problems for our youth centres in the smaller communities. I am asking this government, what are we doing about this problem? For example, Behchoko is the capital of the Tlicho Government and region, the largest aboriginal community in the Northwest Territories. Many people from the Tlicho communities come to Behchoko to work or to use the central services provided to our population. There are approximately 3,000 people living in the community, half are 25 years of age.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Lafferty.

Jackson Lafferty

Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, there is no youth centre in operation in my riding. There is a building, but there is no funding for the operation of the youth centre. Behchoko needs a youth centre with meaningful activities to engage our youth. It will be wise for this government to invest in these young people now. Funding for operation of the youth centre is cheaper than picking up the cost for when kids have gotten into trouble, Mr. Speaker. This is not only a question of money, it is a question of healthy choice to support our youth who are facing the challenges that surround them. We can give them a positive experience that can make them our leaders in the years to come. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause