Thank you. As I stated, I have asked in private a few times for this report and I did indicate to the Minister that I had been waiting for his report. Although, Mr. Speaker, I am convinced I am right in stating in this House that the Minister made the wrong decision to triple designate, I can wait no longer for this report and I want to tell the Members why.
First of all, last summer one of my constituents was held hostage at gunpoint by two young offenders who had escaped from the River Ridge facility. It was demanded of my constituent, at the time, to take these young offenders to Hay River, which they did. I recognize the courts addressed this matter and these young offenders received a lengthy sentence. However, again, my constituent's concern is an issue here.
Mr. Speaker, now I hear last night quite a few young offenders escaped. But before they did escape, I hear they attempted to beat up the young officers. I don't know whether or not they were successful, but I do know they did take one of the vehicles of a worker and totalled the vehicle. Mr. Speaker, this is a very dangerous situation to place our youth workers in and it is due to keeping such a facility as an open custody facility, which was initially intended as a secure custody facility, these types of incidents are happening.
Mr. Speaker, it is my concern as Member for Thebacha to wonder what would it take for this ill-advised decision to be reversed? Do one of my constituents have to be killed before this government will consider and realize the mistake they made? I hope not. Mr. Speaker, since there is time to correct such an ill-advised decision, I urge this government to recognize what serious impact this mistake could have on my constituency and to correct this matter and avoid tragedy in the future. Thank you.
---Applause