Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The community of Tsiigehtchic and its residents should not be treated any differently from those who live in regional centres or the city of Yellowknife because of the population. The residents from Tsiigehtchic pay taxes and therefore should be provided the essential services like those who live in large communities.
Mr. Speaker, the community and its residents have been requesting police services to be provided to their communities for decades. The status quo from this government and past government is no longer acceptable. With the high rate of crime throughout the NWT, especially in communities where the police presence is nowhere to be seen, the ongoing high rate of hard drugs entering our communities, police presence is more prevalent now than ever before.
Mr. Speaker, the First Nations and Inuit policing program that was initiated in other parts of the NWT would be a great starting point and bring security to the concerned residents of Tsiigehtchic. Fighting crime by civilians is no longer an option because of weapons and placing yourself in immediate danger or your life. It is time for this government and the Department of Justice to look at innovative solutions to bring relief to the community of Tsiigehtchic and its residents. We no longer need a band-aid solution. We need permanent policing in the community of Tsiigehtchic and other small communities throughout the NWT.
Mr. Speaker, I have stated numerous times before, echoing the concerns of my predecessors, Richard Nerysoo, David Krutko, more recently Fred Blake Junior. The time for action has passed. Let this government make the right decision and provide the much-needed services that the community of Tsiigehtchic and its residents fairly deserve. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.