Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the 20th Assembly's priorities is talking about public safety, and we have four priorities. And we all know that we are in a drug crisis right now in our communities in the Northwest Territories, and that's something that we've never seen for a long time where I've been to so many funerals as the MLA and former chief and band councillor in my lifetime, and it's really hitting home. And this bill and second reading, it's something I support right from day one. It's to give the RCMP more tools needed to do their jobs in our communities. I know that we had problems -- big problems in public housing where drug dealers are coming into our community and taking over these units, and it's a scary situation, you know, where I hear firsthand from the RCMP, you know, the seriousness of these problems we're having in the community with drug activities and weapons and so on. It's a big problem. You know, like here in Yellowknife, when I think back going back to early 80s, we never thought about that, that we had a problem then. But when you look back now, it's a big problem in our community. So, you know, I know that we have drug problems in our public housing units and then RCMP will come in and, you know, evict -- or housing will come in and evict the individuals because of the drug activity. I know that there's still gaps in our system to address the housing crisis we have in our community as well but -- and to deal with homelessness, etcetera. But, Mr. Speaker, to this government and the 20th Assembly made public safety a top priority, one of their top four priorities. And so the way I look at it, this second reading it only gives more tools to the RCMP needed to do their job so therefore, Mr. Speaker, I will be supporting this second reading of this motion. Thank you.
Richard Edjericon on Bill 49: Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, Carried
In the Legislative Assembly on June 2nd, 2026. See this statement in context.
Bill 49: Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, Carried
Second Reading Of Bills
June 2nd, 2026
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