Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to talk about the Minister's Forum on Health and Social Services. First, I would like to say it is nice to see some young people here today with some interest in the proceedings. I think it helps remind us all what we are doing here. Thank you for coming out.
Today, I will have some questions for the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services on the Minister's Forum, specifically in the area of addictions. The forum recommended increased spending on addictions treatment. I think this is a very worthwhile recommendation and it must become a priority for this government. I think it is also important to remember that one of our goals should be to have people treated in their home communities. We have heard Mr. Lafferty lobby time and again for a wellness centre in his community, which would be an envelope for drug and alcohol and social service responsibilities and treatments.
This is a very important request for a couple of reasons. I think we all know it is very disruptive for patients to be moved out of their home communities for treatment in larger centres. The incidents of relapse after taking a person out of their community for treatment is much higher than if they were treated in their home communities.
I am very familiar with the tax on the situation in Yellowknife. I think our dollars are stretched to the limit. As a magnet community, we deal with an influx of patients from smaller communities. It is very difficult for us. For these two reasons, especially the benefit of our citizens to be treated in their home communities, it is important this government make this a priority. Today, I will have questions for the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services specifically on the issue of addictions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.