Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My statement today will focus on policing, especially in our smaller communities like Tsiigehtchic.

Mr. Speaker, and Members of the Assembly, it is crucial that the RCMP be seen and heard in our communities. It is crucial for our community members to build a relationship with the RCMP in order to have a safe neighbourhood and safer communities. Back in the day, Tsiigehtchic, known then as Arctic Red River, had one of the strongest detachments in the Delta right up until 1969. Arctic Red River had two members stationed in the community, along with a special constable.

These members used to patrol the Delta with their dog team. Two or three dog teams used to travel to Fort McPherson, visiting people and checking to see if everything was alright. These dog teams then travelled throughout the Delta, visiting families who were at their traplines. Many people remember these old stories of when we had RCMP in Tsiigehtchic.

After 1969 we have had no one stationed in Tsiigehtchic. Members from the detachment in Fort McPherson do come over to Tsiigehtchic to patrol when they can, but there is a need for law and order right now in Tsiigehtchic. People have to phone to Fort McPherson, and in most cases, they get the station here in Yellowknife. They then need to explain what the emergency is and then wait an hour or more for the RCMP to show up in Tsiigehtchic. If there was a family dispute, can you imagine what the consequences would be?

I’m speaking for the people of Tsiigehtchic when we ask, time and time again, to have RCMP posted in the community. Special constables were a common practice in the past. Special constables were the lifeline to RCMP members. They were translators, guides and more or less introduced them to the Delta. Thank you.