Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [Translation unavailable] Mr. Speaker, today I want to speak about public health and safety resources for our residents produced by our government.
Mr. Speaker, in the past our government used to regularly produce and widely share high quality northern-based content in health and safety and education campaign to encourage positive healthy choices and keep residents informed through positive health promotion. Prior to being elected, there were numerous occasions of people coming to me in search of northern created materials they could use to access to educate themselves on certain health hazards for a general understanding of what resources are available to help them.
Mr. Speaker, there was one example last year where I called the government department on behalf of someone who was struggling who wanted some assistance to navigate their situation. I asked if there was any northern-based content produced by the government that I could use to share with the individual. And to my surprise, the government -- a worker said to me the government doesn't share those resources anymore.
Mr. Speaker, it is important that our government continue doing its part to safeguard the health and safety of our communities with positive health promotion and anti-smoking and drug campaigns, safety, sexual health resources, or even river and safety -- lake safety campaigns. It is vital that our government be proactive and carry out preventative measures by producing and promoting content that ensures our residents will be healthy and will make safe, informed decisions regarding their health and well-being.
Mr. Speaker, our government has lacked in this area in recent years, yet our communities continue to face many health and social issues such as alcohol and drug addiction, chronic disease like diabetes, cancer, the spread of sexual transmitted infections to name to a few.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, as a pillar of our public health system, our government must continue to produce northern content and engage in positive health promotion across the NWT. I will have questions for the Minister. Thank you.