Mr. Chairman, a vision is developing in the area of justice along the lines that the Member is enquiring about. We accept that the present justice system as it is, is not adequate and not serving the purpose and the people it was set up to serve. There is a need for a new vision to be developed and the vision needs to be developed with people at the community level.
We have begun some work with a number of different communities with a view that communities, judges, RCMP, victims and the offenders all need some alternatives, some new solutions to be brought forward to address the inadequacies of the system. For instance, we would look at circle sentencing. Judges, who are normally non-aboriginal people, will gain the support, advice and input of elders, women, youth and community leaders in deciding what sentence should be placed on people who have committed offenses and how to deal with some of the needs of the community in developing a new justice system.
We have set up justice committees in many communities with a view of helping them look at different types of sentences which could be provided and set up to send people to the Yellowknife correctional centre. We will encourage communities to come up with proposals which would look at ways in which projects could be initiated which would allow communities to assume responsibility for their own adult offenders. As well, communities should make some suggestions about the kinds of programs which can be provided to both young offenders and adult offenders.
There is an interest in looking at other experiences in other parts of the world such as British Columbia, the Yukon and the Navajo justice system to see and show people the real possibilities and to encourage people to assume more responsibility in this area.