Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker National Foster Family Week runs from October 20 to October 26.
In recognition of this week, the Department of Health and Social Services, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the people of the north would like to extend their gratitude to foster families.
Foster families care for children in need and contribute to protecting our children and our future.
Fostering is a challenging and demanding responsibility, and requires great courage and energy from those involved.
Communities and the child welfare system depend on foster families, whose services allow children to remain in their community when they cannot live with their own families.
It is also important that children be placed with foster families from the same cultural background wherever possible.
Although every community needs foster families, some communities do not have enough families willing to perform this important service. This means that some children will have to leave their own community to get the care they need, disrupting their school and support system.
I hope more families will join the fostering program so children in need can have a better chance at success as they will receive quality care in a stable environment until they can return to their family home.
Mr. Speaker, I call on the Members of this House to join with me in recognizing foster families for their efforts, diligence, and tireless caring. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.