Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I stood up in the House and made a statement regarding lack of first responder services in our community. And I spoke about the past incidences where we counted on the nurses and the RCMP, and they did at that time help respond to serious incidents within the community, whether they were accidents or deaths. And I also spoke about lack of RCMP attention to assist our community members even though they were called yet the RCMP is noted in our community to attend to check on people on probation even, or they attend to accidents. So their service is pretty sketchy.
You know, our communities face numerous challenges on delivering these type of programs as we don't have the population or the funding levels that the larger centres receive. So we're really up against a brick wall. We don't have well, as I said, it's the funding or we don't have people that are trained. And, you know, when you take up the illicit drug trades and it's hitting my community, you know, Fort Providence too and many other small communities. And with that, there's always the fear, and it has happened that we're dealing with overdoses. You know, whether it be from poison or whatever, it's still an overdose. And it's becoming rampant. There's nothing that we you know, we can do as community members without the help of the RCMP services there and, also, they help out the nursing profession. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Mahsi.
Unanimous consent granted
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and mahsi, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, we're dealing with a policy with the health department, or I think it's across all GNWT departments because I notice other employees have a ball and chain that they're stuck to their desk. And it's happening with the health department. There was no consultation with the communities in the past about this situation, which is a very serious situation for our community. And we need to see that changed. We would like consultations with communities in addressing this issue. Let's meet facetoface with the community leaders and see what we can come or resolve. This is very important.
Another thing, too, we keep getting directed to MACA but it's going to be under the volunteer fire department, which is already stretched to its limits and very limited funding. We are asked to get a first responder from that department. We're not going to get that without serious funding, you know, and attention by this GNWT to assist us to get to that goal. There's nothing in this budget that's going to help to improve emergency services for our small communities. We require serious attention to these matters by this government and not the ongoing lip service as a way out of this situation. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.
