Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the biggest difficulties we have in the Northwest Territories is the social challenges faced by our residents.

Sadly, some of the most present and visible manifestations of that take place every day, just a few blocks from this building. These problems are so prevalent that a major downtown landlord has recently issued a public appeal for action, citing daily incidents of many kinds.

Mr. Speaker, these are not new challenges and they are certainly not exclusive to Yellowknife. These are problems faced by every community, every family, and every individual. They are hard and difficult problems to resolve.

Another contributing factor to these problems is our relatively low levels of educational achievement and graduation rates. These in turn lead to under-employment, poor lifestyle choices, health problems, and general low standards of living. Add in a high cost of living and a narrow field of employment and vocational choices, and we wind up with these very difficult challenges.

Ultimately, the costs of these problems are borne by our social support systems, more stress on our legal system, and pressure on our correctional system. It's a steady drain on government resources, not to mention the economy. It limits our true capacity to serve ourselves as Northerners.

Mr. Speaker, in Yellowknife, I'm pleased to see that steps are being taken to combat some of these problems. The Homelessness Roadmap adopted by the city, along with the Housing First initiative, is an important first step. The extension of hours at the day shelter and the new street outreach program will be another step to reducing homelessness on our streets. The recently budgeted wet and dry centres are a step towards reducing public intoxication, and minimizing the impacts of addictions.

The challenge to us as leaders is to find solutions that will support long-term health and growth. We are taking positive steps on immediate issues, but how do we make sure our next generation finds itself in a healthier, safer space?

We must seek vision and innovation to inspire educational achievement, provide safe and secure housing, improve mental health, confront trauma, and support opportunities for growth and employment.

A healthier society will be a safer and more prosperous home for future generations; that must be our goal. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.