Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, the RCMP detained a number of people, made arrests and confiscated alcohol and drugs from adults and minors in downtown Yellowknife. I would like to thank the RCMP for taking action. This kind of operation is necessary to ensure the safety of Yellowknife residents and to protect property in the area. Without such an RCMP crackdown, it would be like turning a blind eye. We would be saying to people that bad behaviour is okay, but Mr. Speaker, it really isn't. We must send the message that crime, violence and substance abuse is not acceptable behaviour.

Mr. Speaker, the problem will not go away with one weekend of action. So I welcome the RCMP commitment to continue this kind of enforcement because the problem downtown has gotten out of hand.

For over a decade, there's been no increase in the number of officers in the Yellowknife detachment. In a community of nearly 20,000, we have 30 officers. The RCMP says we need another nine. Like nearly all communities in the North, we are suffering because there hasn't been enough money put into policing to keep up with growing populations and crime rates.

Beyond funding for policing, Mr. Speaker, this government has another area of responsibility. The problems we see downtown and more and more in other northern communities are usually the result of social causes. While local communities have some responsibilities, the root causes are a direct responsibility of this government and need more attention. We must look at what causes violence, crime and substance abuse and provide support to our community residents and the agencies that help them.

In the midst of incredible prosperity, there are people in despair. We cannot just sweep them under the rug or into jail cells. That only puts the problem out of sight for a short time. Mr. Speaker, we need to bring more focus on preventing the causes of these dangerous behaviours. We need more support for families living with poverty. We need more programs and funding for community-based family literacy. We must provide more training opportunities for our residents to become part of this great economic boom we are experiencing.

Mr. Speaker, there is nothing new here. We've known all this for quite some time. We know it because people have told us this over and over again. At the founding conference for the social agenda in Hay River, people from across the Territories came with their hearts and minds open and are willing to work with the government to improve social conditions.

However, Mr. Speaker, the government's only real action in response to community concerns outlined in the social agenda today has been to fund demonstration projects. Mr. Speaker, I doubt that any of those enthusiastic participants from the Social Agenda conference have much faith left in the commitment of this government to the Social Agenda. Their efforts, experience and commitments have largely been ignored.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.