Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to thank everybody who has appeared before us today. Your words were very important and very timely. I think MLAs were listening very carefully to what you all had to say. Progress in the area of family violence is painfully slow, as the representatives from the Status of Women Council, Pauktuutit, the Council for the Disabled, the Native Women's Association and the Senior Association have pointed out. I think you know all too well.

I remember Norma Wickler, who many of you may know, who is and was a pioneer in the field of gender equality in the American justice system. She likened progress to water wearing down a stone. Whenever she was discouraged, she could always give herself energy to fight again by realizing that as long as you are making progress, even if it is slow, it is really worth pursuing. Progress is also very controversial and I really commend Minister Kakfwi for a consistent approach in this area. I think his words and deeds have been consistent. It is not an easy area and it's not an area where you're going to win a lot of political points. It is a very difficult area.

Anyone who has worked in any of the initiatives over the last number of years, whether it is the Family Law Review, or the lead up to the report of the special advisor on gender equality, or even changing the system so that we had a victim surcharge. That was really difficult to get through the system. The problem is, there are so many different perceptions about what is right and what is wrong, what is real and what isn't real. Women and men often have different perceptions. Aboriginal men and aboriginal women have different perceptions. The people involved in the justice system, themselves, have their own view of the world. So, when you're trying to bring about change, you can be assured it will be difficult and controversial.

I think the most important thing is to put all the issues out on the table and work your way through them. There are no heroes in this. Everybody has to try their very best and expect that it is going to be a very difficult and, at times, a very frustrating process.

I'm happy to see that the Minister of Justice has treated the Justice House report seriously. I have a couple of comments about the whole justice field. I think it is key, and I've always thought this, that if we are going to have a holistic approach, in the justice system, to the problems, then our government has to take over the responsibility for prosecutions. We almost did it and then, for a number of unclear reasons, Kim Campbell decided that she wanted to keep it. That is what happened. I would strongly recommend that the Minister pursue that. I think it's very difficult to have a total approach to the legal system without having control over prosecution.

I think the area of victims' rights is an area in which we have made a start, but there is a long way to go. A legitimate concern, especially of many women's organizations, is that when we talk about rehabilitation and trying to help the perpetrator, that the focus on the victim will lessen. I think we have to understand that, ultimately, the victim is the innocent one in this kind of confrontation. Whatever we do, and everybody recognizes that we have to do a lot more than we've done as far as rehabilitating the perpetrators, let's never take away from the primary focus of support to the victim. I think that's very important to remember. Again, it is another example of how difficult this whole area can be.

At times in the past, we've kicked around the idea of a unified court here in the Northwest Territories. There are some positive aspects of efficiency and cost-savings. In a small jurisdiction, it is difficult to have a full court, but maybe a judge who specializes in the whole area of family law could be established. I think that is, again, something we should probably continue to pursue.

I've always felt very strongly that child sexual abuse is the single most difficult issue facing the people of the Northwest Territories. I think it is the most dangerous cancer eating away at the fabric of the Northwest Territories. With generation after generation of child sexual abuse, it multiplies at an alarming rate and destabilizes families and total communities. Sometimes, I think we talk about constitutional development and we talk about how we want to have control of our own land, if we don't deal with this part of the equation, what we'll have control of will be a total disaster. I think we have to always keep that balance.

Essentially, a society that can't protect its children is really a doomed society. It's a society that has no vitality and is heading for self-destruction, ultimately.

Over the years, we've heard demands by a lot of people, especially women in the community who have been abused and who have suffered rapes and sexual assaults, for stronger sentences. Everyone recognizes that the jails and the correctional institutes are not the total answer. There is no doubt in my mind that, especially for repeated violent sexual offenders against women and children, stronger sentences are a must. I believe that. I don't think you can get away from the responsibility of a society to say that under no circumstances will we condone violent sexual offences against women and children.

I am pleased with the strong stand taken by the Minister of Justice. I hope this Legislative Assembly will support the Minister in his approach. I think, as other people, Mr. Lewis and Mr. Dent have said, that when we talk about family violence we can't forget the seniors and the disabled. The seniors here in Yellowknife, in October, had a very productive workshop done by One Voice, the National Seniors' Network. The results of that workshop are available to Members, and I would urge Members to read that to get an idea of the problems facing seniors, not just here in the north but across the country.

I personally support the principle of zero tolerance. I support it very strongly. I think Mr. Kakfwi and Mr. Dent and his committee ought to be commended for bringing it forward. They've both said, and everyone who's talked about this, including the women's organizations, said it's a beginning. I think Lynn Brooks said today it's a very important beginning. I really have no problem, myself, with putting my money where my mouth is and saying we should put some legislation in, so that if a Member is convicted of family violence, they should lose their seat. I have no problem, whatsoever, doing that. I think, if we are to support a policy of zero tolerance, I think that would be an important part of it if we, as leaders, are to set an example.

I would like to finish by saying -- just to reiterate what Mr. Lewis said -- that a society that allows its weak and vulnerable people to be preyed upon is really not a society at all. I think if we are to have pride in our society, if we are to develop every aspect of our society, we have to make every effort possible to protect the vulnerable in our society. Thank you very much.