Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m honoured to second the motion today. As you’ve heard from the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake and his passion, many of us are very thankful that he spends a considerable amount of time doing a lot of research for a motion such of this.
The mover, Mr. Moses, has been a staunch advocate for issues surrounding coroner’s reports. I know he spends many hours reviewing these reports for recommendations, trends and insights and how to make NWT a better and safer place. So when the Member brought forward this motion for committee review, I was taken aback on the incredible amount of information that was available online on numerous jurisdictions already enjoying the benefits of such a domestic violence death review committee.
Unfortunately, learning from tragedies helps us break the vicious cycle of domestic abuse plaguing our society. These domestic violence death review committees undertake many meaningful approaches on recommended changes, and with the proper establishment of such measurement instruments, such as domestic violence risk management screening tools, many jurisdictions in Canada are benefitting and working towards awareness and the elimination of violence.
Although most of these domestic violence death review committees in Canada were established based on horrific findings, and as a result of extensive evidence pointing to systemic abuse and sexual violence and oppression, we have the opportunity to do something positive now, knowing full well our long-standing patterns of abuse in the Northwest Territories. In other words, Mr. Speaker, let’s not wait for a specific tragedy or tragedies
before we can act in this area. Let’s put the power of networking, partnerships and resource building in the hands of a coordinated community approach to domestic violence awareness.
I know funds are tight and I know time is limited in the House. As the motion points out, we are merely asking the Minister of Justice to undertake the investigation and feasibility of such a committee that gives back the basic human right of safety, dignity and social economic justice to society.
Again, I want to thank the hard work of Mr. Moses for raising awareness today on such an important opportunity for the people of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, if you’re not aware by now, I will be voting in favour of this motion. Thank you.