My Voice, My Choice

Ministers' Statements and Speeches

December 15, 2011 - Mr. Speaker, in setting the priorities for this new government, we have placed an emphasis on education and prevention, and on mental health and addictions.  I am pleased to report that we are already moving forward with a new campaign in this area.

This morning, we launched the ‘My Voice, My Choice’ campaign to help young people and those who support them to speak up about addictions in the Northwest Territories.  We all know addictions are a destructive force in our territory that reaches beyond the individuals who are struggling with this problem. We see the effects in our communities, in the increased strain of our health and social services and justice systems, and through lost opportunities at work and home. The legacy of addiction is not something we want to leave for our future generations.

This campaign is about empowering young people to speak up about how addictions in their homes or communities affect them.  It is about providing them with healthy choices and information about where to go for help.  It is also about messages of hope, and working to inspire each other so we can stop the cycle of addiction.

The My Voice, My Choice campaign is part of the Healthy Choices Framework and our government’s Choose brand, and builds on the community-based ‘Not Us’ campaign.  Where ‘Not Us’ funds community-led projects, this new campaign facilitates discussion and messages at a personal level.

This project was developed through research about how to prevent addictions in youth and reflects current best practices.  Part of our launch celebration was the release of a number of strong videos that have already been created through workshops in Deline and Fort Simpson. At the launch, we were joined by some of the youth who have very bravely offered up their perspective, as well as Godson, who has taken on an exciting role in spreading the ‘My Voice, My Choice’ message.

Mr. Speaker, as leaders in our communities, we have an important role to play in speaking up about addictions and promoting healthier choices. I thank the youth that added their voices to My Voice, My Choice. Their messages are important for all NWT residents to hear.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.