Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker,

WHEREAS the Northwest Territories is facing an increase in drugs and related crime in the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS the drug trade in the Northwest Territories is taking advantage of vulnerable people;

AND WHEREAS illicit drugs in the Northwest Territories are largely coming from southern provinces;

AND WHEREAS profits from the drug trade in the Northwest Territories are primarily benefitting southern organized crime groups;

AND WHEREAS the Government of Canada has worked collaboratively with the United States on a cross-border crime forum since 1997 to improve response to the drug trade and the safety of communities;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Member for Mackenzie Delta, that the Government of the Northwest Territories initiate a Cross-Border Crime Reduction Forum that would involve the Governments of the Northwest Territories, Canada, Yukon, Alberta and British Columbia;

AND FURTHER, the focus of a cross-border forum will increase the response to violence and drug trafficking in rural and remote communities;

AND FURTHERMORE, the focus of the cross-border forum improve efforts to disrupt the illicit drug network and drug-related crime and violence in Northwest Territories communities;

AND FURTHERMORE, that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a response to this motion within 120 days.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.