Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on January 30th the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police signed a three-year public safety cooperation protocol that will benefit communities throughout the Inuvialuit Settlement Region.
This protocol was created to establish a trusting relationship between the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the RCMP to support public safety initiatives in our communities.
Mr. Speaker, community policing is a demanding job. It takes special skill to work in remote Arctic communities. The Beaufort Delta has some of highest rates of family violence and suicide in the country. The future of children, youth, women, men, and elders requires safe, secure, and stable communities.
Mr. Speaker, this protocol was established to prevent situations and community crises and resolve problems at the earliest possible opportunity. It will help identify community liaison people to share information and suggestions to avoid or resolve conflict and crisis in Inuvialuit communities.
Mr. Speaker, detachment commanders will develop community plans, and officers will learn about the cultural values and sensitivities of people they work with. A joint training program will help both parties acquire knowledge and skills to apply lessons learned from past incidents to manage crises and prevent harm more effectively.
Mr. Speaker, respect for Indigenous people is essential to this protocol. It recognizes alternative justice processes that in some cases may be more meaningful to help people involved in an incident than the conventional criminal justice system.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the Inuvialuit and the RCMP have taken this important step in improving public safety in our communities. We hope it will serve as an example for other Indigenous governments and enhance future work between the parties. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.