Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] INSERT* [Translation Ends]. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, mahsi.
Today my Member's statement is one of gratitude and commitment. I want to first and foremost thank the constituents of the Deh Cho for placing their continued trust in me. Mahsi. As their MLA, I will continue to bring forward the issues they raise, important issues like the economy, the environment, health, education, housing, and public safety. Additionally, I want to thank my family, especially my husband Norman, for their steadfast support. I would not be able to carry out my duties as MLA without their support.
Mr. Speaker, the needs in our communities are significant. For too long, the government has approached small communities with a top-down mindset, telling them how to live, what to prioritize, and how services should look. Unfortunately, this approach has not worked. We see the results of this in our health outcomes, our incarceration statistics, the growing impacts of addictions, and the raising rates of homelessness. Our communities know what they need, and they know what works for them. The government must create the conditions for small communities to flourish, starting with our youth.
We need our young people to graduate with both academic and practical life skills - how to cook, how to budget, prepare their own meals, and take care of themselves. They should be able to enter post-secondary education without years of upgrading. We need more housing, homes for people experiencing homelessness, homes that support independence and opportunities for homeownership that build pride and stability. We need culturally grounded addictions treatment centres that help people heal using traditional cultural practices found in our communities. We need accessible, reliable health care in every community to reduce medical travel and improve outcomes. And we must address the high cost of living in the North by supporting wage growth and encourage local food production, such as gardening and preservation.
Mr. Speaker, our needs are many, but so is our determination. I thank this Assembly for working to support our communities, and I look forward to continue this valuable work. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from the Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member from Frame Lake.
