Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. We now have even more proof that the old considered plan to relocate the Territorial Treatment Centre was purely politically motivated. Shame on this government, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause
The revelation about the TTC issue given to this House today by Mr. Ramsay is striking proof of nothing short of betrayal by this government; in fact, a series of betrayals, Mr. Speaker.
First of all, and most damning, is that this is a betrayal of the children, their families, the staff of the Territorial Treatment Centre, and many others across the community of Yellowknife. The department, the Minister, indeed the whole Cabinet, betrayed these people's trust in us to continue delivering the program they need so much in a community that has worked so hard for so long to make it available. Mr. Speaker, the evidence is overwhelming. The integrity and sustainability of the care of these kids with deep emotional and behavioural problems would be badly impaired, perhaps irreversibly, by this move.
Secondly, Mr. Speaker, this is a betrayal of a trust we MLAs must have in our Ministers and our Cabinet. We are trying to represent our communities, and our constituents, to the best of our ability every day. How can we do that when Ministers and Cabinet so blatantly and arrogantly disabuse the trust and the process conventions we must rely on?
Thirdly, it is a betrayal of what we stand for in this Legislative Assembly consensus. Over a year ago, through our regular process of consensus, we reached an agreement to fund $2.4 million for a much needed renovation to the TTC here in Yellowknife. Then, behind
our backs, this government deferred that project; decided to relocate it to another community; added another million dollars to the cost; and threw the work of 15 years of community cooperation and dedication out the window. A betrayal all for political reasons. But unlike the reputation of this government at this point, Mr. Speaker, this project can be salvaged. It requires the immediate reversal of the decision to relocate, and the immediate re-instatement of the renovations to the TTC. That is all. It is simple. That must be the next step, and it must be immediate. Enough politicizing the welfare of the children. For the children, Mr. Speaker...