Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the past 22 months, the 13th Assembly has had to deal with deficit reductions, division, transitional plans, housing shortages and a myriad of other issues. Mr. Speaker, the 13th Assembly has managed to get the deficit under control, the Student Job
Strategy this past summer, Project 2000, the Access to Information legislation and other initiatives have been successful to varying degrees.
However, we have not addressed the dilemma of population increase and forced growth. The Northwest Territories has the highest teenage birth rate per capita in the country. Inflationary factors of forced growth have caused increased spending within the social envelope to the point of sustainability. Mr. Speaker, we have to address this now. Other jurisdictions have implemented family planning programs and courses at the high school level. We need to begin these programs from the current drib-drab approach more pro-actively.
Mr. Speaker, family planning, high birth rates and teenage pregnancy are very delicate subjects to approach at the best of times. But something has to be done and it has to start now. Education of the implementation and ramifications of the continued teenage pregnancy and the impact socially, as well as monetarily, have to be explained.
Mr. Speaker, as an elected official over the past 22 months, I have tried to bring areas of constituency and territorial matters to this House. I have tried to provide constructive criticism as well as solutions to our problems. The legacy of the 13th Assembly will be of what we have accomplished, and not what we have pontificated on.
Later today I will ask the Minister of Health and Social Services about the issues surrounding family planning and strategies to address it.
Mr. Speaker, as I have said in this House before, a goal without a slogan is just a strategy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.