Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, this Legislative Assembly took a very big and a very important step when it adopted a policy of zero tolerance towards violence. People of the Northwest Territories are now looking to us to provide such leadership. They want more than words or policies. They want to see concrete action.
Family violence is a very real problem in the Northwest Territories, one we must deal with as a priority in any strategy towards zero tolerance towards violence. Key in dealing with this problem are the workers in the 12 family violence prevention projects across the Northwest Territories. About 94 full and part-time staff are employed in these projects and in 1993 they offered shelter and support services to 2,541 people.
Madam Speaker, given the importance of the work of family violence workers and the stress of the job, it would reasonable to assume that these workers would be very well paid. Sadly, this is not the case. Many of these dedicated individuals are earning as little as half of what comparable staff in government positions earn. On top of that, few have any housing or settlement allowances.
Madam Speaker, I understand that there has been no increase in funding for agencies such as the women's shelter in Yellowknife, the Alison McAteer House, since the program started in 1986-87. This means that, in order to allow for inflationary staff increments, just to keep salaries comparable to the insufficient level they've started at, cuts have had to be made to programs.
In other centres across the territories, shelters are having trouble meeting their rent obligations or purchasing groceries. If stopping violence in our communities is truly a priority, we must ensure front-line workers are compensated in a way which is consistent with their skills and the important service they bring to communities. We need continuity and workers who are committed to working against violence, rather than being tempted to move on to better paying government jobs.
Madam Speaker, I urge the government and the Minister of Health and Social Services to find a way to address this salary and benefits concern as part of the government's response to the family violence problem. In March, representatives from every family violence prevention project will be meeting in Yellowknife. I hope before then, Madam Speaker, the concern about wages for these workers will be dealt with...