Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have two things to say. First, it has been pointed out to me that I said "health and social services" when I was making the motion. It should read "...health and social service front line workers." I don't know if it will make a significant difference, but I just wanted to correct it, for the record.
Speaking to the motion, I think Mr. Dent said exactly what I was going to say. The problems that front line workers face are not just alcohol related. It is certainly one of the most stressful jobs of any employee in this government. I know many social workers personally and speak primarily from that perspective. It is a very stressful job. You are, in fact, taking on many of the social ills in trying to deal with clients and, inevitably, some of it rubs off and you take them home with you.
It is not an 8:00 to 5:00 job, by any means, in the smaller communities. In the larger communities, it is a little bit different, they can get away from it. But, in the smaller communities, they cannot. I guess the question is, who do they talk to and who do they look to for help? One of the greatest shortcomings that social workers feel, next to the lack of training, is the ability to attend workshops and have a program where they can have their batteries recharged, so to speak.
I think this is one area that -- if the committee's recommendations are looked at, and I certainly hope they seriously are -- must be higher on the priority list. I certainly encourage Members to support this. We also heard from the health people -- the nurses -- in communities that they never get away from their job. They can't even go out fishing or hiking because they are always on call. The things that they see and have to do are quite difficult. I would encourage Members to support this. Thank you.