Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to say a few words about the Society for Friends Against Family Violence. The Society for Friends Against Family Violence has been very active in the town of Inuvik. The society has been actively pursuing funds for programs to be delivered in Inuvik. The statistics show that services are badly needed in the area of family violence. There has been and is a definite requirement for services to be offered to individuals in the smaller communities, as well as Inuvik.
The society recognizes the need for services and has identified various programs once funding is acquired. The services they are looking at are: emergency houses; housing; crisis intervention and counselling; life skills counselling; legal advocacy; children's support group; public education; women's resource room; nutrition counselling; and parenting skills. Friends Against Family Violence is also planning to build a network with elders so that an intergenerational program can be delivered for children. Friends Against Family Violence is looking to other organizations, such as the Gwich'in Tribal Council and Inuvialuit Regional Council, for involvement in regard to providing additional funds for counsellors' positions. This will ensure that more aboriginal people are trained to work in this field. Aboriginal counsellors trained in this field will certainly benefit the programs' success.
Mr. Speaker, these programs are required to ensure that we have healthy communities with healthy individuals. We also need to promote programs that focus on family development. The programs that the Friends Against Family Violence are proposing to deliver will assist in providing a foundation for a healthy community and a healthy society. would like to commend the members of the society for the time and effort they have put into this important issue. I would also like to thank the Minister of Social Services for his support in being able to secure some funding for the society. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to speak on this important issue.
-Applause