Thank you. Your motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Members. Recommendation 21. The adequacy of our income support payments to elders should be reviewed. These payments should more accurately reflect the high cost of living in the North and the changing costs between communities. This review should examine the programs operated by the governments of both the Northwest Territories and Canada.

Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommends that the adequacy of income support payments to elders should be reviewed and the Government of Canada must be pressured to conduct a similar review of its own program payments.

To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Recommendation 22. The fuel or wood subsidy was developed to encourage elders to maintain an independent lifestyle in their own homes. But the interpretation of the rules governing the program is creating hardships for those who rely on this assistance. People told us that the amount of the subsidy is inadequate given the cost of fuel and the problem of heating substandard housing. This suggests that the program needs to be reviewed. This study should determine whether the original intent of the subsidy is reflected in the current program. The subsidy should then be revised as necessary. Seniors themselves should be given a role in this process.

Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommends that the fuel subsidy program should be reviewed and amended as required. The program objectives and purpose should be effectively communicated.

Thank you. Your motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Children And Youth

This Is What We Heard About Issues Affecting Children And Youth

More than half the residents of the Northwest Territories are under 18 years of age. Any review of our health and social services must take into account the particular issues facing

these important members of our community. Here is what we heard:

Child Sexual Abuse Is A Terrible Reality

Few things disturbed us more, during our entire review, than what we heard about the extent and devastating effects of child sexual abuse. According to some people, child sexual abuse is at the core of many of the social problems presently facing residents of the Northwest Territories. Attempted suicide, substance abuse and criminal behaviour are just some of the lasting consequences associated with the unresolved effects of child sexual abuse. Other concerns related to this problem include the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS, and girls becoming pregnant as early as the age of twelve.

People want greater recognition, prevention and community treatment of child sexual abuse and its effects on our young. At the same time, it is clear that there are obstacles in the way of such efforts.

These obstacles include: a shortage of community resources; ineffective public education; a lack of shelters in which children might find protection; the absence of therapy and follow-up care for victims and offenders; and what is perceived to be excessive leniency on the part of juries towards accused abusers.

We Need More Housing, Shelter And Recreational Facilities

We heard many requests for additional facilities in which children can seek emergency shelter and pursue safe recreational activity.

A troubled home creates a troubled social environment for many children. We were told that overcrowded housing takes a terrific toll on young people. A number of these effects were previously identified by the Legislative Assembly's Special Committee on Housing in 1985. These consequences include: a turbulent family life; poor parenting behaviour; fighting between parents; drunkenness by one or more family members; mental stress; overcrowded sleeping conditions; a lack of privacy; the neglect or abuse of children; poor study habits and absenteeism from school.

We heard that home life can be so difficult for children that they may be safer on the streets late at night, in violation of local curfews, than in their own homes. That is why people are calling for more shelters in which children can find respite for a few hours or overnight if conditions at home become unbearable.

Children told us that boredom caused by a lack of safe group activity was a major concern. We heard that better access to recreational facilities, including school gyms, would provide young people with something to do.

Several problems were identified around existing school policies in this area. These include the fact that schools are often closed after 5:00 pm, a lack of volunteers to supervise activity when school gyms are open and the need to pay fees in order to play many organized sports. People are also looking to other solutions, such as local drop-in centres and the use of camps on the land.

We Heard That Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effects Require Greater Attention

FAS/FAE were raised as particular health and social problems facing our children in many communities. We heard estimates that anywhere from 15 to 50 per cent of the students in a given school, and up to 25 per cent in one region, may show the effects of FAS/FAE, which are caused by women drinking during pregnancy.

It is difficult to determine just how widespread these ailments may be. We are disappointed and alarmed that the government has yet to respond to a recommendation in this area, contained in one of our Interim Reports to the Legislative Assembly. In March of 1993, we called on the government to undertake a clinical study to get an accurate picture of the incidence of FAS/FAE in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Chairman, the next speaker is Mr. Tony Whitford.

Mr. Whitford.

People Told Us That Child Care Must Be Improved

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

This Is What We Recommend Regarding Issues Which Affect Children And Youth

Mr. Chairman, young people should be given the opportunity to contribute their views within the community. They should have the chance to provide input to the process of developing policies and programs designed for them. These measures could help them to feel more involved, reflect their worth as individuals and help them to feel that they have a stake in the community. Our youth should also be provided with case studies of positive role models and local success stories as part of this process.

Government has a role to play if we are to more effectively integrate young people into the community. There must be far more cooperation and coordination between departments on matters that concern the health and quality of life of people aged 18 years and younger.

Shelter is one area in which more must be done. Local authorities should be encouraged and helped to provide temporary safe shelters or drop-in centres for young people. These shelters could offer companionship and a brief respite from a difficult home life.

Overcrowding in the home is another shelter-related issue that affects our youth. The scope of this problem needs to be determined and practical solutions need to be identified. At the same time, the government should more strongly oppose the Government of Canada's decision to practically eliminate federal funding of public housing in the North.

Communication with our youth must become a greater priority. Information dealing with a range of issues that concern young people must be provided. Communications should also be used to encourage young people, and especially aboriginal students, to pursue employment in the health and social service sectors. This would build upon other measures like the health careers material released by the Department of Health.

Mr. Chairman, these and other communication activities must be relevant to the young people they are supposed to serve. Conventional printed materials are not as effective as they once might have been. More use of film, videos and other media should be considered. Workshops and other groups activities should also be used. these may encourage participants to

discuss their questions, share their concerns and exchange information on issues that concern them.

Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommend that ways must be found to communicate more effectively with young people to raise their awareness of health and social issues that affect them. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Patterson. We don't have a quorum to deal with the motion. Would you ring the bell. We have a quorum. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Patterson.