Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my statement today deals with the social policy of this government. It is closely related to what Mr. Krutko is saying, where we put our commitment to resources as a government, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when we first got elected, we came up with a document called "Towards a Better Tomorrow", which speaks to improving the social well being of people of the Northwest Territories right across the board.
One of the areas that we talk about is a strong, family unit, and strong, healthy and educated children. I would like to speak to the fact, Mr. Speaker, that since we have been elected in 1999, our numbers of children in custody have gone up by 30, 35 percent by 250, Mr. Speaker. That does not speak too much to our policy of healthy communities, healthy families, healthy children. In fact, it is going the other way, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, since we as a government have committed to building the North Slave Correctional Centre, our programs and areas of alcohol treatment centres, the youth justice systems, et cetera, and bush camp justice systems, have gone right now. It seems like we tied all of our healing into one facility, and the government's message to the people of the Northwest Territories is wait until you become a criminal; only then will we deal with your social issues.
I am going to be asking the Minister of Health and Social Services why there is such an increase in child custody within the government programs and services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause