Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have actually constructed, built, and run four treatments in the Northwest Territories over the last 20-plus years. Where we have had capacity for 32-plus clients in these treatment facilities, at any given time, we might have had a dozen individuals in these facilities. Given the nature of these facilities, a real treatment facility has to be able to provide a wide range of programs, including psychiatric and psychological support, as well as dietary programs and other programs. In the Northwest Territories, we were never able to get a psychologist or psychiatrist to be permanently located in these facilities. There just was not the demand. Also, with an average of 12 people who are choosing, it is important to recognize that, for a treatment facility, you have to be ready. You have to choose to go to those things. We did not have the numbers to sustain them and keep them operating.
Meanwhile, we have entered into contracts with four incredible facilities in the South that provide a range of programming that has never been equalled here in the Northwest Territories with respect to treatment facilities, and we are getting really positive results. I have had an opportunity to meet individuals who have attended these facilities, who have indicated that they like the supports they are getting from these facilities. They appreciate the programming because it is meeting their needs. I even had some of them make reference to some of the treatment facilities that they attended here in the North, and their indication to me at the time was night and day as far as programming.
I am not saying that the Northwest Territories will never reach that point where we can actually fully fund and fully operate with psychologists and psychiatrists and a range of programs in the Northwest Territories, but at this point, the numbers do not work and make it very difficult to run something that will be successful. So we acknowledge what our residents have told us, which is options, Mr. Speaker. We have moved forward with more on-the-land programming, more counselling supports, facility-based mobile treatment options using existing facilities. We are looking at sobering centres. We are looking at a number of different options so our residents can choose which option works best for them. The feedback that I am getting from people who are actually suffering from addictions is that, when they are ready and they use these options, they are getting positive results. We always need to do more, Mr. Speaker, but right now, I do not think there is a justification for the construction of a dedicated treatment facility. It has not worked for the past, and I do not believe we have turned a corner, Mr. Speaker.