Mr. Speaker, later today, I will table three documents. I am tabling them at the same time because they are all closely related.
The first is called "Building Strategy for Dealing with Violence in the Northwest Territories". The second is a proposed draft of a declaration by Legislative Assembly on family violence. The third is the response of the Department of Justice to the gender equality review report.
There's a growing awareness across the north and across this country, that violence against women and children is a plague in our society. In the north, the incidence is so high that it deserves to be recognized as one of the major barriers to building a healthy northern society.
The Standing Committee on Finance recognized the importance of this issue. That is why they recommended in their review of the 1992-93 estimates, that the Department of Justice, on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, seriously address the issue of violence in the north.
It is my hope that the document, Building a Strategy for Dealing with Violence, will encourage more discussion of this important issue in this Assembly. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss this matter at greater length.
The document looks at the extent and nature of violence in the north, and discusses elements of a broad approach to dealing with violence.
The document examines how violence can never be ended merely by escalating the response of the criminal justice system. The justice system can and must be improved, but one of the major points of this document is that response to violence requires the involvement of all members of society. Change will come about when all of us assume a degree of responsibility for this problem.
Leadership in assuming responsibility for facing this problem can be shown by Members of this House. In these days of increased public cynicism toward politicians and the political process, it is crucial that the public be able to look up to the Members of this House as individuals who are accountable, who take their responsibilities seriously and who provide a positive example. In short, that we, the Members of this House, demonstrate leadership.
This brings me to the second document to be tabled today. It is a proposed declaration of principle on family violence. We are asking each Member of the Legislative Assembly to consider formally adopting the principle of zero tolerance to violence and committing, personally, to getting rid of family violence by the year 2000. In addition, we suggest that leaders throughout all of northern society be invited then to make this commitment.
This declaration of commitment is particularly important because the majority of people in positions of power, authority and trust are men, and it is men, with rare exceptions, who are the abusers.
The declaration will provide this Assembly with a way of indicating that it is serious about family violence. We can lead the way, and we must, as leaders, encourage communities and other organizations to follow our example and embrace zero tolerance to violence.
The elimination of family violence requires a wide range of actions but at the end of the day, ending family violence requires changing our attitudes which allow it to continue.
The third document is a response to the report of the special advisor on gender equality. The report entitled, The Justice House, was submitted in May 1992, and tabled in the House the following month. It was discussed in committee of the whole last December.
The report contains 90 recommendations on how to improve the administration of justice to make it more responsive to the needs of women. As women come into contact with the justice system most often as victims of violence, this is the focus of many of the recommendations of the special advisor.
The document contains a general response and action plan and a listing of what is being done with each of the recommendations. Appendix B to this document contains a recommendation by recommendation response to the report.
Within the constraints imposed by the fiscal context in which we find ourselves, I am happy to say that we have made some headway in addressing the recommendations in the report.
Many of the recommendations concern matters that are beyond the responsibility of the Department of Justice and we continue to work with other agencies to encourage the implementation of the recommendations. Within the department, a number of legislative changes have been put on the table. In addition, the maintenance enforcement program is now better resourced. And we continue to look for ways to address the needs of victims by supporting the provision of services at the community level. For example, an interagency community-based victims' services group has recently set up shop in Iqaluit with assistance from the department.
Of course, much remains to be done, and we will continue our efforts to improve the administration of justice so that it better serves the needs of everyone.
Mr. Speaker, whether we are talking about a strategy to deal with violence or about making the justice system better, it comes down to a question of respect, respect for oneself and for others. Thank you.