Mr. Chairman, I agree with the Member. The statistics that we have show the highest level of the population of the Northwest Territories growing the fastest, is the age group between 12 and 25. Statistics across this country show that there is an increasing number of youth that are committing more and more offences and the incidence of violent crime in that age group is escalating. For instance, the number of sexual assaults has increased across this country by 20 per cent in the last five years, or something like that.

I think the managers and staff of these facilities are keeping an eye on these trends, and it is telling us something about the condition of society in the north. Our incidence of incarceration is the highest in the country. Everything about the north points to the fact that we need to do something different. The idea of giving responsibility for youth and adults back to the communities and back to their own people, is one avenue that we all agree should be pursued, so it is the way we are going to proceed.

We should recognize that the Young Offenders Act of Canada, for instance, says you can only keep them for a maximum of three years. There are adult offenders who commit violent crimes, such as homicides, and...Would you lend me your ear, please? It is discouraging, Jeannie, when you ask me a question and I try to answer and you're talking to Mr. Dent. I'm not sure who you are listening to.