Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I propose legislation that will allow the territorial government to recover funds from the federal government which have been spent in order to implement the Young Offenders Act. When the federal government legislated the Young Offenders Act, there was an agreement that the cost of implementation would be cost-sharable at a rate of 50 per cent. In order for costs of accommodation to be shared, the place of residence of a young offender had to be designated by the Commissioner of the NWT.
A number of facilities were used that were not designated before use, usually due to an urgent need for placement. By the time that these facilities were later designated, costs had been incurred that could not be shared. Once retroactive designation occurs, the cost for these non-designated facilities may be recovered.
After the cost-sharing agreement was reached, the federal government placed a cap on the amount that could be recovered. That cap was limited by how much had been spent during a previous year of expenditure. The base year was 1988-89. Should we be successful in obtaining this amendment, discussions will commence with the federal government to provide retroactive payment for claims which have been rejected thus far. If successful, this will also increase the ceiling which has been imposed based upon the 1988-89 expenditures.
A second part of the proposed amendment will allow the Minister of the department responsible for the care of young offenders to designate residences. This will significantly strengthen ministerial accountability by bringing the authority to designate closer to the Department of Social Services, and the department's ability to respond to the unique circumstances of the North will be increased. Outpost camps and alternative placements can be utilized so that young offenders can be kept closer to their home community. It will also give the Department of Social Services the flexibility to move quickly to designate a facility and will avoid the use of non-designated facilities in the future. The federal government has been consulted on this amendment and is in agreement. Those end my comments. Thank you.