Thank you, Mr. Speaker and honourable Members. Mr. Speaker, when I confronted the regional superintendent of Social Services personally on January 9th, he indicated that this information -- this rumour -- had been the result of a conversation that took place between himself and the sergeant of the Fort Smith RCMP detachment in the local curling rink club bar. He indicated that the sergeant had suggested that there had been some pretty prominent names included in the alleged list. This, in turn, was information that the regional superintendent had chosen to share with others in my community.
Mr. Speaker, the clear connotation was that I had manufactured a list of alleged drug dealers in order to discredit certain prominent people in Fort Smith for political purposes. Again, I unequivocally deny this untrue rumour.
Indeed, I wish to inform the House that the "G" division of the RCMP has launched and has now completed a full investigation of this matter under section 45-4 of the RCMP Act. The investigation revealed that the RCMP officer in question had informed the regional superintendent that there was no list. Later today, I will be tabling the report of this investigation.
Mr. Speaker, I am concerned about this incident on a number of levels. First, I believe that the irresponsible action of taking, fabricating and circulating this vicious rumour had the potential to place my family at some risk of harm from lawbreakers wishing to respond to this account through intimidation. In fact, during the early week of January, when this rumour was passed, my vehicle was vandalized several times and was damaged as a result of a hit and run, causing about $2,000 damage.
At the same time, Mr. Speaker, I am dismayed and disappointed that this sort of tactic once again appeared with a northern political context. The regional superintendent of Social Services has indicated to a number of Fort Smith residents that he is interested in becoming a candidate for election in Thebacha during this fall's territorial election. I wish him luck and I advised him that everyone knew that. I also indicated to him that that is democracy.
Some of my constituents have suggested to me that this incident may have been motivated by political reasons. Mr. Speaker, I believe that voters all across Canada are simply tired of election tactics that rely on character assassination. They are tired of innuendo and untruth. This sort of conduct only serves to damage public confidence in our electoral process.
My main reason, Mr. Speaker, for raising this affair today is because I am concerned -- I am deeply concerned -- about what it suggests about public service administration within our government. Perhaps, especially, in the Department of Social Services. We all know that many Members, including the Minister herself, have risen in this House to comment on problems surrounding the illegal use of drugs and alcohol in the Northwest Territories. There is a move afoot to enhance law enforcement capabilities in this area, when you take into consideration the complete reform of our liquor legislation.
Who could blame individuals who might have drug evidence from experiencing second thoughts about coming forward, when this action is likely to make them the subject of rumours and victimization. Mr. Speaker, I find this entire situation absolutely unacceptable and, unfortunately, since the Minister of Social Services is not in the House, I will give her this as notice that I intend to pursue this issue upon her return to the House.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Inspector Roberts and Sergeant Douthwright for agreeing to meet with me on this important issue in the first place. I also appreciate the prompt action taken by the RCMP "G" division to act on my report of this incident. I sincerely regret any hardship or inconvenience that may have been caused for the Sergeant of the RCMP division of Fort Smith by this investigation, which became necessary as a result of conduct displayed by the GNWT officials. For complete clarification, I would like to emphasize that the investigation found Sergeant Douthwright's actions were proper and justified and that he did not violate RCMP policy.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to say that I hope the shameful actions of a single Social Services official will not discourage concerned members of my community and from all northern communities, from working together with law enforcement agencies; working together with parents and concerned citizens; with elected officials of this House; as well as locally to make a positive impact on the drug and alcohol problems that have been plaguing the Northwest Territories for too long. Thank you.