Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Sunday, December 1st is World Aids Day. An international event to expand and strengthen the world wide effort to stop the spread of HIV and AIDS. This year the theme is One World, One Hope. People from all countries hope for a cure, a vaccine, an end to discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS and an end to denial. As you are aware the Department of Health and Social Services recently released four documents which make up the HIV/AIDS framework for the Northwest Territories. These resources are new tools that communities and governments can use to deal with HIV/AIDS as the development community wellness plans.
Communities, regions and organizations can use these documents to develop their strategies to focus on: stopping the spread of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases through education and prevention; providing information about HIV and sexually transmitted diseases, testing to those who want it and counselling and treatment services to northerners living with HIV and AIDS; and providing community-based care and support for HIV-infected people and their families, caregivers and friends.
As part of the implementation plan for the HIV/AIDS framework, next week the department, in partnership with Health Canada and the Canadian Association for Community Care, will hold a two-day train-the-trainer workshop for home care coordinators and home support workers. The workshop will enhance the skills of home care workers and prepare them for caring for HIV-infected northerners in their homes.
Mr. Speaker, we know some northerners take risks with their health. As individuals, families, communities and governments, we all have a role to play in solving the problems we face. We can share information, ideas and experiences to develop our plans to address community problems. We can help ourselves.
World AIDS Day gives us the chance to talk and learn about HIV infection and ways to prevent it, such as practising safer sex, show compassion and understanding for people living with HIV and AIDS, and remember those northerners who have already died from AIDS-related illnesses. Mr. Speaker, the red ribbon we wear is a symbol of our hope, our compassion and our support as we raise awareness about this devastating disease. Thank you.