Thank you, Madam Chair. I, too, would like to thank the Member for the Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya, in bringing this private member’s bill forward. I spoke to a lot of residents in the Sahtu from a variety of the communities there. They, too, have told me about the increase in consumption, the increase in the cases with social services and also the policing. Through our committee business, we have seen an increase of over $2 million in the Sahtu region. That’s a clear indicator that there’s a lot more happening in that region. Some say it might be just because of development, but nonetheless, there’s a $2 million increase of alcohol that’s been bought in that region. It’s affecting the people, as you’ve heard very clearly from my colleagues from the committee.

One of our colleagues mentioned that he didn’t want to see this as a rippling affect. Madam Chair, I would like to see this as a rippling affect. People in the Beaufort-Delta also brought this same issue up, I believe four or five years ago, when I was in a different role in a leadership meeting. They wanted to see the same sort of thing happen in the Inuvik region. Because there’s no restriction on alcohol sales, that really affects the surrounding communities and I’ve seen it firsthand.

I’d really like to thank the Member for bringing this forward. I spoke to a number of leaders, also, that said something needs to be done in Norman Wells to help the communities. With that said, Madam Chair, I will be supporting this bill. Thank you.