Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have been reviewing the budget presented last week by the Finance Minister, and I am very happy about what is in the budget, but I do have some problems about what is not in the budget.
One of the main goals we set at the start of this Assembly was sustainable, vibrant and safe communities. Yet, once again, this budget leaves some small communities with poor basic services.
There is no RCMP detachment in Tsiigehtchic and police presence is not adequate. The officer assigned to the community is based in Fort McPherson. We all know that having police in the community helps deter crime. Police response to calls from Tsiigehtchic is slow. This results in crimes that could have been prevented. This year there will be more crimes that could have been prevented because this budget does not address the problem.
The situation is even more critical during freeze-up and breakup periods when the road traffic is interrupted. Over the years the community has suffered and it seems we are telling the people just go on suffering. There are many innocent victims of crime that could have been prevented. I know it will cost some money to put an RCMP detachment in Tsiigehtchic and that is the government’s excuse for compromising the safety of the community.
This government does not talk about the positive effects and even cost savings that come from a safer community. It is really sad that our smallest communities need police detachments. That says a lot about the times we’re living in. We are elected to do something about it. We are elected to make our communities safer and healthier and we all promised to do our best.
I will be asking the Justice Minister when we will do our best for the community of Tsiigehtchic. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.