Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, later today I will table the 1997-98 annual report of the Victims Assistance Committee, as required by the Victims of Crime Act. This committee administers the Victims Assistance Fund. The fund is generated from fine surcharges imposed for offenses under federal and territorial statutes. Last year, I approved committee recommendations for contributions to 14 territorial organizations and community agencies totalling $139,133. These contributions paid for victim related activities in training, direct service delivery and public education projects.
In particular, this year contributions were made to organizations to promote and provide direct service and healing to survivors of residential school abuse. Other contributions were made for community based support and assistance to victims of crime in the western Arctic and Nunavut. This year there was an increase in training and healing initiatives in the NWT, several of which were run by experienced northern trainers.
I find it encouraging to see the Victims Assistance Fund being used as one of many links to developing community based victim initiatives. I would like to thank all victim support workers for their service to victims of crime in the north. I
would like to send a special thanks to Gail Cyr of Yellowknife, Julia Putulik of Chesterfield Inlet, and Alphonsine McNeely of Fort Good Hope as Victims Assistance Committee members for their valued personal contributions. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
--Applause