Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I previously shared in this House how pleased we are that there is now an office in Hay River for persons with disabilities. Although this is a first step, there are many other things that need to be accomplished to truly make a positive impact on our citizens who have physical or intellectual disabilities. We have issues related to
transportation. We have needs with regard to respite for the caregivers of persons with disabilities. Without support, these caregivers can despair and the alternative to offering support becomes a much more costly solution for this government.
We also have quite a number of people in Hay River who, because of disabilities, cannot function in a regular workplace environment holding down a full-time job. However, they are quite capable of performing certain functions with limited hours, limited expectations or some additional support from a designated co-worker if they have questions or concerns.
Mr. Speaker, how many of our government or private sector offices could find duties that could be performed by a person with a disability if we turned our minds to creating that opportunity for them? Often there are tasks, many tasks, that don't require the skills of the highest paid person in the office. Here in Yellowknife, we often see the adults who participate in the Association for Community Living Program and are out and about in our community contributing through contracts that they secure to provide different types of services while employing their skills. On a government-wide basis I think there is a lot more opportunity for this type of accommodation of persons with disabilities if we choose to create it.
Later today, I'll have questions for the Minister responsible for Human Resources about what is in place now and what could be put in place to ensure our best efforts to fully integrate persons with disabilities in our workplaces and in our society in a meaningful way.
Mr. Speaker, I will also be asking the Minister questions on the September 2004 NWT action plan for persons with disabilities, which contains many excellent recommendations, but most of which, I'm sorry to say, have not been acted on. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause