Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the last three and a half years, I have been listening to this government provide reasons as to why we are not willing to move towards an addiction treatment centre specifically for the NWT.
Mr. Speaker, this, and previous governments, continually commit to doing better. Indigenous people are asking them to do better. Yet we continue to receive independent audits that say better is not happening. The Auditor General of Canada in its report on addictions, prevention, and recovery services in the Northwest Territories stated the following: "We found concerning shortcomings in the provision of addiction services, from ensuring equitable access to services for all residents to ensuring that services are culturally safe for Indigenous clients, and that aftercare services are sufficient to support client's recovery goals."
Mr. Speaker, it is important that we continue to strive for equitable access to culturally appropriate southern facilities, local outpatient services, on the land programs, and aftercare. We also need to understand that southern facilities provide mainstream colonial type treatment or that based on southern Indigenous culture. Does this work for Indigenous persons from the NWT? According to the auditor general's report, there's a lack of tracking on patient success so we may never know.
Mr. Speaker, while we are willing to send residents to southern Canada for alcohol and drug treatment, then why is it that we are not willing to entertain setting up a standalone inpatient alcohol and drug treatment centre in the NWT? We often hear the department referencing the treatment centre which was once located on the lands of the K'atlodeeche First Nation and how it did not work. It is time to put that excuse to rest and move forward with an evaluation to determine the feasibility of having an inpatient treatment centre in the NWT.
Mr. Speaker, we know that this government sends approximately 200 persons per year to southern treatment centres which confirms the need for such a facility. It is important for those that wish to be closer to home and closer to family to have access to a culturally appropriate treatment facility. The reality is that though we have access to cultural expertise, we are missing the licensed health component which is required in the treatment process.
Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister of health to consider a NWT culturally appropriate treatment centre be established, if not on the ground in the NWT then in Edmonton or Calgary where staff are willing to reside and recruitment may be easier. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Members' statements. Member for Thebacha.
