Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The motion is in order. The motion is being distributed. To the motion. Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I think everyone is aware that we have very serious issues of mental health and addictions in the Northwest Territories, some of the highest rates in the country by far. We also have very, very high rates of recidivism, and in our corrections these are obviously the results of our history and some of the major events there. Some examples of that are residential schools and the trauma that that entailed and still does to this day, a lack of early childhood development. As a result of these sorts of things, many people are still struggling and, unfortunately, we currently have a system that simply dumps many of these people into our jails.

It’s well recognized, and I think supported by our government, that we need to do something about that, and that there are demonstrated models out across Canada and North America and now the world, often termed mental health courts or wellness courts. We’re aware that the feasibility study being done by the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Social Services will be done the end of next month, and committee wants a wellness court or the equivalent mental health court on the ground and operational for our people sooner rather than later. This is particularly so in light of the federal legislation that is causing more and more people to be jailed as it slowly gets implemented. There has been some assessment work done on that that demonstrates there is very serious and significant costs associated with that and prevention is the way to go.

So a major consideration that enables a wellness or mental health court to be in place is the astute observation of our justices, that we need the assurance of mental health and wellness services to be in place so that such a court can be enabled. This motion is meant to highlight that and to demand a timely action on it. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. To the motion.

Question has been called.

---Carried

Mr. Yakeleya.