Mr. Speaker, during our pre-budget consultations, we heard from many communities that firmly believe that there is a need for regional treatment centres where there will be proper follow-up for clients. Many residents are saying that they need a regional treatment centre, whether they be on-the-land camps, or a facility in town. Why isn't this government listening to their concerns? They are not asking for multi-million dollar facilities, but either bush camps or well designed energy-efficient buildings, new or existing, that the programs can be run out of.
Mr. Speaker, more and more young people are drinking and doing drugs. When they cry out for help, we need to have the capacity to the system in the region and not have to send them away. By having them closer to home, they can have their family's support network when they need it, or want it. Mr. Speaker, some of the hardest working people I have ever met have now, unfortunately, become slaves to their addiction. If we have treatment camps in the regions, many of these people, and also our youth, can go out on the land and reconnect and see what they are missing, by the lifestyle that they have chosen or want to escape from. As a young man I knew once said, being on the land is very therapeutic.
This also brings me to my next point, which is, the people seeking help should be able to get it from someone who has lived in the region and has experienced the lifestyle. There are a lot of folks who might not have a degree this government recognizes, but who have a degree in life and can better relate to the problems facing recovering alcoholics.
Mr. Speaker, I urge this government to give people what they have said over and over again. We need to help people with addictions and not change this policy to the point to where they are phasing out people with degrees in life who have a ton of experience to offer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause