Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today I am going to speak on a very sensitive issue, one which we are all aware of, yet rarely discuss; suicide. My decision to speak on this issue is made after careful consultation with many of my constituents, as it has directly affected them in recent weeks past. Residents of Coppermine have been undergoing particularly difficult and emotional times. Within the past three weeks, there has been a series of successful and unsuccessful suicide attempts by youth in the community.

Madam Speaker, my constituents and I are unaware of the reasons for this sudden outbreak of suicide attempts. We can only speculate on the reasons, as only the individuals attempting to take their own lives know or can give indications as to what issues caused them to take such drastic action. For two individuals, we will never know, as tragically their suicide attempts were successful.

Madam Speaker, the residents of Coppermine are requesting assistance before there are any escalations in suicide attempts. I call upon our government to immediately place a suicide specialist and other related support services into Coppermine to address and assist the community in dealing with the recent outbreak of suicide attempts. Mahsi.