Thank you. Mr.
Speaker, today
I would like to talk about access to education,
health and social services for the residents in the small communities. For us in the larger centres, when we require medical attention, we pick up the phone, make an appointment and see a doctor, or if we need emergency care, we can be in a hospital in a matter of minutes.
However, for residents in Lutselk’e and Fort Resolution access to the doctor is limited to once every two weeks if they are lucky. If they find themselves in an emergency situation, they are medevaced out of the community. This also means huge disruption in lifestyle for them, and if they have to stay for an extended period, it also impacts their friends and family. To visit your friend or relative, you have to take time off work or school, leave the community and incur unplanned expenses.
Mr. Speaker, for what many take for granted in larger centres, many residents in the smaller communities must endure disruption in lifestyle, incur expenses, and leave their homes.
Attending school in a larger centre means a wider selection of education options, better programming, better facilities and specialized teachers. Because of lower enrolment levels, school budgets in smaller communities have fewer resources, which relates to limited or no classes in home economics, physical education and trade-related courses.
As well, Mr. Speaker, in smaller communities there are constant teacher issues, with a basic need for housing meaning a regular turnover of teaching staff, which ultimately impacts the quality of school programming.
What we take for granted here in the larger centres, with many education options for our students, those in smaller communities are continually asking the local district education authorities and the territorial government to improve school programming, to address enrolment and budget issues, and to resolve teacher housing issues. Mr. Speaker, for our smaller communities this is the norm.
Mr.
Speaker, unfortunately, in our smaller
communities we see higher rates of incarceration, higher rates of youth crime and higher rates of suicide. Also, the impact of substance abuse is more evident.
Access to needed professional counselling in smaller communities is limited and often not available due to constant challenges of attracting, hiring and retaining qualified professionals. Not having a system that attracts….