Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With regard to the issue at hand that we're debating, I too, would like to commend the Minister on the initiative that he's undertaken. It's a tall order. It's an issue that's not going to go away. It's an issue that's not going to be resolved overnight.

The document that the Minister has produced with regard to violence, building a strategy, the elements of that strategy I totally agree with. But one must not forget that our government is very limited, particularly with resources. We have our government priorities. As you are well-aware, Mr. Chairman, education and housing are the top two priorities of our government. But because a lot of factors are attributed to violence, it's very hard to pinpoint what we can do or how you're going to get it done. But the initiative that the government has undertaken, I agree with. Now that the issue is at hand, I think it has to be promoted in a certain way, particularly where we don't require resources. With a lot of the violence, not only family violence but violence in general, alcohol is a major factor. Only dealing with alcoholism is a big problem in the territories. We know that's not going to go away. We know that's a tough problem to get over, and it's a long-term issue.

We've been trying by implementing a number of measures, we're building more treatment centres, we're putting up more resources through programs at the community level and so forth. But in terms of violence, it affects everyone, the whole society, men, women, elders, disabled people, everybody, violence in general. It's a big issue, an issue that's not going to go away overnight.

But the elements that have been identified in the strategy put together by the Minister of Justice, I think are going in the right direction. If we do support those particular elements we must try to readjust our finances to help, particularly for the justice system. I think that is where more emphasis should be placed, in the justice system at the community level. Let the community get involved more. Get the elders involved more.

I've heard comments around this room that various organizations have to get involved. I totally agree. A strong message has to get out there. An institution like ours and other groups we fund, like the Status of Women and the Native Women's Association, should get involved. I think that municipalities and all of society has to get involved in order to combat this whole issue of violence. I think we're going in the right direction with the strategy that the Minister developed. It is going to be a slow process.

If you look at the big picture, we're strapped because of finances. Finances are going to be very hard to deal with. Dealing with only one element, alcohol, has been costing us a lot of money. We should be spending more money in that area but we don't have enough. All the other things that are identified within the strategy to deal with violence in the territories, like healing, treatment of offenders, services to victims, community-based justice, facilitating inter-agency cooperation, the justice system, youth, violence and so on, is going to require resources. In particular, a lot of human resources and money. That is going to be the toughest to get, the money, because of the financial situation we are in today.

But I commend the Minister for raising this issue and bringing it to light. I think it has been neglected for a number of years even though a number of groups have been pushing that it be dealt with. I'm proud to say that the 12th Assembly is dealing with this issue, but, it's not going to be an easy task. It is a long-term goal to have zero tolerance for violence. Let me just say that I'm in support of the strategy that the Minister has indicated. But I think the government, particularly the Minister of Justice, has to convince not only his own colleagues but also the federal government to get additional resources to combat this whole issue.

He has to get support from the communities and organizations and we have to join hands in order to seek all this funding to combat all the elements identified in the strategy the Minister developed. I just wanted to say, Mr. Chairman, that violence touches a lot of people in the territories and the factors that cause violence are very great. You can't just say that violence is because of one particular element. It is caused by everything. It could be due to lack of a job, or people abusing alcohol, or people being depressed, or poor housing. It could be almost anything that contributes to violence.

I think it's a big issue and the issue at hand is going to be a long-term affair. We can't do it overnight. We can't solve the whole issue of violence overnight. I totally agree with the conclusion of the strategy when it says there are no quick fixes or easy answers. But I think we have to start somewhere and by bringing the issue up front and making people more aware and promoting zero tolerance, I think we're moving in the right direction.

I'm in support of the declaration on family violence. But, as my colleague has indicated, I think that I support a declaration on violence in general. If it is geared to a particular group in society, I would say I have some reservations if that is going to be the case. Disabled people and elderly people are not involved in the zero tolerance declaration the Minister has produced. I understand that my colleague will be moving a motion, either today or tomorrow, which will include elders, disabled, men, women and children. If that is the case, Mr. Chairman, I will fully endorse this declaration on family violence. Mahsi.