Debates of March 10, 2005 (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, quite clearly we are developing a theme here but, if I may, I just would like to use my Member’s statement to speak about a very important program in Yellowknife. I support my colleagues in what they are saying about the other topic. But, Mr. Speaker, there is a very important program for women and children that is on the chopping block. I am hoping that, through this statement, the Minister of Health and Social Services will do everything in his power to make sure that this program not only survives but thrives.

Mr. Speaker, the program I am talking about is the Women and Children’s Healing and Recovery Program being administered by the YWCA in Yellowknife. This program is a product of years of effort on the part of the women’s community, started by the Status of Women with their document, Keeping Women and Communities Strong, where community women struggling with addictions ask for help with trauma, the root cause of many self-destructive behaviours. This eventually led to a pilot of three years which was recently evaluated, in July of 2003, by Four World Centres for Development Learning, a group that has evaluated many aboriginal healing programs.

Based on their recommendations, the YWCA changed the model of program delivery to give program control to aboriginal women so that the program could be truly culturally appropriate and the aboriginal staff at this program are now asking why is it that when all these improvements were made, the program is being considered for cutting.

Mr. Speaker, I could tell you that I had the privilege, by invitation, to visit the safe home where the women and children live while they undergo this program and treatment. I sat there and talked to a woman and her family over tea and bannock. They told me how this program is helping them heal and work out many issues that they have to deal with and they need to have a safe place to do it in. I could also tell you that, Mr. Speaker, women that come to this program come from all over the North, and the majority of the women are aboriginal. We know that we don’t have a program for women and especially not one where women can go with their children. We know that treatment works better when women and children stay together. So, Mr. Speaker, I am sure that the Minister agrees that this program is worth keeping and worth fighting for. I would like the Minister to reconsider funding for this program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Hear! Hear!

---Applause