Thank you. Mr. Minister.
Debates of March 2nd, 1993
Topics
Committee Motion 77-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 14
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 708
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Committee Motion 77-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 14
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 708
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Yes, Mr. Chairman, the department is looking at ways in which to take a coordinated approach to the needs of the existing institutions, the type of programming and support that is required there, the requirements of the open custody facilities that we have, as well as linking that with the more land-based, community-based initiatives that we hope to be supporting in the next year. We are looking at how we can use the scarce resources to support the different levels we are required to and interested in working on.
Committee Motion 77-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 14
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 708
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you. Are there any general comments? Mr. Patterson.
Committee Motion 77-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 14
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 708
Dennis Patterson Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am also pleased to hear that response. Mr. Chairman, I do not want to monopolize this discussion, but I have one further question for the Minister. It is my sense from my community and region that taking care of young offenders, and particularly having aboriginal people look after their own children, seems to be a priority with the community justice meetings and initiatives that I have heard about. Am I correct that this seems to be a theme that is emerging throughout the territories? I know he has participated in many more meetings and consultations than I have. Am I correct when I say looking after youth is a pattern that is appearing as a priority in many parts of the territories? If so, can we expect this to be a priority of the department in its community justice initiatives? Will youth be a focus? Thank you.
Committee Motion 77-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 14
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 708
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you. Mr. Minister.
Committee Motion 77-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 14
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 708
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Mr. Chairman, it seems to be a general sentiment as most communities have expressed an interest in getting involved in trying to do something meaningful with the justice system by initiating change or trying to provide some real alternatives for young offenders. The general sentiment is that we should do something centred around
providing support and alternatives for young offenders, with an extension to adult offenders. It is a general sentiment that all solutions and proposals should be community-based. The present justice system is not adequate and does not meet the needs. The communities feel also the challenge of trying to come up with some real alternatives and real proposals to deal with that predicament.
Committee Motion 77-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 14
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 709
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Are there any further general comments from the committee? Will we go page by page?
Committee Motion 77-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 14
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 709
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Directorate
Committee Motion 77-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 14
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 709
The Chair Ludy Pudluk
Thank you. Page 06-10 of the Justice directorate, total O and M, $3.017 million. Mr. Minister.
Committee Motion 77-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 14
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 709
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Mr. Chairman, could I ask another witness to join me and let Mr. Dillon be excused?
Committee Motion 77-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 14
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 709
The Chair John Ningark
Is the committee agreed?
Committee Motion 77-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 14
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 709
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Committee Motion 77-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 14
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 709
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Sergeant-at-Arms, escort the witness please.
Thank you. Honourable Minister, would you introduce the witness please, for the record.
Committee Motion 77-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 14
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 709
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Mike Rudolph is the director of finance and administration for the Department of Justice.
Committee Motion 77-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 14
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 709
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Patterson.
Committee Motion 77-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 14
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 709
Dennis Patterson Iqaluit
Mr. Chairman, in this area without asking for too much detail, could the Minister let me know how the department is progressing on recruiting an assistant deputy minister who will be in charge of corrections? Could the committee have an idea when this person might be in place? I recognize that the department has recently lost a very capable ADM to the Workers' Compensation Board, but it is the ADM of corrections which I am particularly interested in. Is recruitment under way for that position?
Committee Motion 77-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 14
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 709
The Chair John Ningark
Qujannamiik. Mr. Minister.
Committee Motion 77-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 14
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 709
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Mr. Chairman, I will hopefully be able to make an announcement about the two assistant deputy minister positions within one week, perhaps sooner. I will be making some recommendations to Cabinet perhaps as early as this week.
Committee Motion 77-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 14
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 709
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Patterson.
Committee Motion 77-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 14
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 709
Dennis Patterson Iqaluit
That is good news, Mr. Chairman. Do I take it that one of those ADMs will be responsible for corrections? Will that person, therefore, be the focal point of community justice initiatives around young offenders' projects and related initiatives as we were discussing earlier in general comments? Will that be a priority of the new ADM of corrections?
Committee Motion 77-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 14
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 709
The Chair John Ningark
Mr. Minister.
Committee Motion 77-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 14
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 709
Committee Motion 77-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 14
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 709
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Page 06-10, directorate of the Justice department. Total operations and maintenance, $3.017 million. Agreed?
Committee Motion 77-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 14
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 709
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
---Agreed
Police Services
Committee Motion 77-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation 14
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 709
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Police services, total O and M, $26.533 million. Mr. Dent.