Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Justice. Mr. Speaker, in framing these questions I want to advise you that I have been mindful of your ruling on February 23, which indicated we should take concern when asking questions about individuals. However, I seem to be getting some concerns expressed by my constituents on how this issue is addressed.
Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, February 18, my honourable colleague for Deh Cho asked a series of questions about services which are being provided to a particular inmate within the territorial correctional system. This particular inmate was previously one of the senior officials with the territorial government. During the sentence hearing of this inmate, the lawyers indicated there was a specific need for counselling which could be best through a continued contact in Toronto with a therapist. This is certainly on public record. It was also stated during the sentence hearing that special needs were so great that the sentence ought to take them into consideration.
Recognizing that the courts were told it was so necessary for this previous civil servant who had defrauded the government in excess of a quarter of a million dollars to be incarcerated in a location where she could be seen by her therapist. I would like to ask the Minister to explain why she has been retained in the Fort Smith correctional centre rather than being transferred to Ontario? Thank you.