Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Whereas the Department of Health and Social Services and the regional health and social services authorities currently provide respite care services;

AND WHEREAS respite care services support the goal of keeping families together by relieving stress on primary caregivers;

AND WHEREAS the cost of these respite care services is much less than the cost of institutional care for disabled children and adults;

AND WHEREAS without respite care services some of these individuals with disabilities might become institutionalized and the responsibility of the Department of Health and Social Services;

AND WHEREAS without respite care services these families may have to rely on more costly programs, such as Income Support, foster care, health care and programs offered through child and family services;

AND WHEREAS the Minister of Health and Social Services stated in her report, “Foundation for Change,” that respite care services for families with special needs and disabled children would be expanded;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Weledeh, that this Legislative Assembly recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories commit permanent funding for respite care services across the Northwest Territories before the cancellation of any existing services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.