Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In recognition of National Foster Family Appreciation Week, October 15th to the 21st, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the contributions our foster families make in the lives of many children and families in the NWT.

For the past several years, over 400 foster families have provided a safe, caring home for over 600 of our most vulnerable children who require this service. Some of these foster families provide short-term care in emergency situations, while others have been providing a service to the same children for many years and thereby creating permanency and stability in the lives of those children.

I am pleased to report that the majority of foster homes in the Northwest Territories are either extended family or provisional homes that means that the foster families are known to the children and their families. It is our intention to continue to promote families helping families within their own communities.

Every day our foster parents provide safe and loving homes to help children and their families overcome hardships. Becoming a foster parent can be a sacrifice and an act of true selflessness. It is important to recognize that fostering involves the entire family and not just the parents. As such, I would like to say a special thank you to the children of our foster parents as they too open up their homes and hearts to other children in their community who require an alternate home during a period of crisis within their own family. The commitment and compassion shown by the foster parents and their families will not be forgotten, especially in the memories of the children they have touched.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to report that the Department of Health and Social Services, in consultation with key stakeholders, is currently reviewing foster care rates across the territory. We are currently finalizing recommendations that would allow for an equitable and standardized foster care rate system for all communities in the Northwest Territories.

Foster parent recruitment and retention continues to be a challenge in some communities. It is essential that our children be provided with services that they require while continuing to recognize the importance of family, community and culture in their lives. Our goal is to address these issues through continuing to provide support, to provide standardized training to all foster parents, and to adequately compensate foster families by recognizing regional cost of living differentials across the Northwest Territories.

This week, activities are happening all across this territory to recognize the contributions of foster families. Acknowledgement in local newspapers, radio stations, dinners and gifts of appreciation are some of the examples of how our regional authorities are demonstrating their appreciation to our foster families.

I would like to highlight that in one particular community, Aklavik, the community social services workers and community wellness workers hosted a community radio show with generous support from the community. The radio show was both informative and entertaining, with local musicians giving of their time to recognize the important contribution of foster families in that community.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, I wish to convey my appreciation to the foster families in the Northwest Territories for their continued dedication, commitment and compassion that they demonstrate in such practical ways to support the children, their families, their extended families and their communities. Thank you.

---Applause