Yes, Mr. Chairman, I have the Deputy Minister of Justice, Mr. Bickert, and the Acting Director of Finance, Mr. Rudolph.

Mr. Chairman, just to ask the Members of the Legislature, in the committee of the whole, if it is at all possible, to continue with the Department of Justice. If we could conclude it today, it would assist, as there is a regional workshop happening in Fort Simpson, for the Deh Cho region, and they have requested and planned for the Deputy Minister to attend, so just to keep it in mind, if that was possible. I was going to suggest that, in keeping with the Members comments, many times, that justice should be done, and it should be done today. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, what I understand about this content from one individual, according to my information, is that it has been largely addressed. There was a sense from one individual that earlier in the year, there was not enough commitment or cooperation from our officials, but in regard to the planning and the development of this particular workshop, to my knowledge, all the concerns that were expressed earlier in the year, have all been addressed. We have been fully involved in helping develop and plan for this workshop. We have committed some money, and we are, as I indicated earlier, participating fully in the conference, and that has been resolved.

There is another side issue, which was raised, which is in regard to trying to, on the short-term, get different types of commitment assurances to a project that has not been fully developed, or discussed. I think that, as well, is still being addressed. I think the concerns have been expressed a few months ago, and I think, on a large part, have been addressed. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, I was of the view, even a year ago, when the first workshop, or conference, was held on justice, that this department was fully involved and supportive, and helped organize that particular conference, and that this was a follow-up workshop to deal more fully with different aspects of questions or concerns on justice from the region, and that this, again, was something that we fully support, and are engaging in.

I think that all the Members will appreciate that it is a huge monumental undertaking, but one that deserves full support from all of us because it does signal that people are prepared to work together. To address how, as community people, different agencies in the community, and the government, can work together so that people understand what is entailed in the administration of justice, and how it could be, with the communities involvement and support, changed to make sure communities are involved in the administration of justice.

So, I understand the statement, but I believe it has worked out positively, and I think all the participants, including the government, are looking forward to a few very productive days in Fort Simpson starting tomorrow. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, the report, the Family Law Review Report, is now available, and as I said a few days ago, I reviewed it, and it is a very positive report that has had the full involvement of all the aboriginal organizations. We have put a great deal of hard work into the recommendations, and I think it reflects, in many cases, the views that many of the Members of this Legislature have expressed over the years, that the changes made in many areas of justice as they have been suggested, and the report will be made available to the Members informally, since it is not ready for tabling.

We will make it available immediately to the Members. I have no idea what the cost is, but I know following the completion of a contract a couple of years ago, it has been done with minimal costs since then to complete the report. Thank you.

The Member is correct, as I understand it. Some of the reductions that are in the budget are due to decisions of the management. They are all internal, and they are just flags, so that the Members can be aware of them, and debate them as they please. Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, when we were dealing with the Department of Education a few days ago, I noticed my friend was listening eagerly when I was making comments in regard to the current education system, that it was not meeting our needs, or the needs of the people of the territories. I think it is reflected in this department, too.

I just want to make a few comments about the justice system. In my view, Mr. Chairman, a lot of people are frustrated, and when you talk about justice system, it is not really serving the people to its fullest potential.

A lot of aboriginal people have begun to see the justice system as foreign, and I think that my colleague from Deh Cho has always made that reference. It is foreign and unresponsive to the needs of the Dene, and also to the Inuit. The system does not reflect our culture.

I must also say, as well, that there have been many concerns about the way that aboriginal offenders are dealt with in our territorial corrections system. I agree with my colleague, from the Keewatin central, when he made comments to that effect. The correctional system in the territories is not really working, and, in my view, it is because it is too institutionalized and there is not enough happening at the community level to rehabilitate the offenders, and also to prevent crime.

More important, however, there is a need to recognize that the long awaited changes in our national Constitution will finally mean that progress can be made, especially if aboriginal self-government is entrenched. The most awaited areas of self-government will be with respect to the making and enforcement of laws. This will be a challenge faced by our Department of Justice if this thing goes through in the Constitution.

We need to be getting the source in place and developing a framework that will allow this jurisdiction to move swiftly in the direction of true aboriginal self-government. I think that the department has to start looking at developing the framework now, because, in my view, if the referendum goes through, the department will have no choice but to start looking at that.

When I look at the departmental budget that is before us, I cannot see that need reflected in the way that the department is organized, nor the way the estimates are projected. I want to ask the Minister to comment on whether this is a budgetary framework that will allow us to participate fully in the constitutional transition that is in the horizon.