Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of this motion on A New Day Men's Healing Program. The motion speaks clearly to the need for this program, Mr. Speaker. Taking steps to combat family and community violence are among the priorities identified by the 18th Assembly's mandate. Similarly, our mandate commits to implementing the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission especially related to violence against Indigenous women and girls.
These are among the most difficult and pervasive problems facing our communities. The impacts of violence are felt throughout the family and community and don’t just go away. Indeed these impacts can be multi-generational if they're not addressed. Most clients of A New Day are self-referred; they go to the program because they choose to. Many of them are residential school survivors. Colonization and residential schools are recognized contributing factors to intimate partner violence.
Family violence is well known to be cyclical, and only through active, directed intervention will the cycle be broken. So it is important that we take immediate steps to preserve this program. We must make sure that the service continues to be available to NWT men and their loved ones, and we must demonstrate clearly that this Assembly is dedicated and determined to confronting this issue.
In my view, the continuation of this program should not even be in question. When men choose to find help, confront issues within themselves and seek a path away from violence, there must be support available to them for that journey. Helping make sure that support exists may be among the most important steps we take as an Assembly. I offer this motion my strongest endorsement. Those are my comments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.