This is page numbers 621 - 654 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 5th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was languages.

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Supplementary To Question 307-12(5): Ed&t Role In New Initiatives
Question 307-12(5): Ed&t Role In New Initiatives
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 633

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. There are very large projects, I mean not just in terms of billions and billions of dollars, but projects that are meaningful to people. We have talked about the fur industry. We have talked about things that may not amount to billions of dollars, but things that we see as having significance for our people such as hydro development and so on. So my question is regarding the work we did in the last Assembly, the problem of getting an economic blueprint or an economic development plan for the Government of the Northwest Territories, not one department but the whole government. Is there anything ongoing right now to develop such a plan for the Government of the Northwest Territories, not just one department?

Supplementary To Question 307-12(5): Ed&t Role In New Initiatives
Question 307-12(5): Ed&t Role In New Initiatives
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 633

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 307-12(5): Ed&t Role In New Initiatives
Question 307-12(5): Ed&t Role In New Initiatives
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 633

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I think I have said, on a number of occasions while I was on the other side of the House, and I have said as a Minister, that I view the territorial budget, for example, as an economic instrument, whether it is in the delivery of health services, the delivery of education services, et cetera. It has an economic impact on everything.

We are attempting to provide a coordinated approach in terms of how we expend our money, and I think it is there. Mr. Morin's initiatives, for example, with the business incentive policy or Economic Development and Tourism getting behind the small entrepreneurs in their requirement for bid-bonding or support services in developing small businesses, et cetera.

I believe there is an overall approach to economic development, but I think it goes beyond just the department. It is an acceptance that the role of the government is to ensure that maximum dollars that are spent by the government are in the hands of northerners, one way or the other. Each of us provides departmental support to make sure that happens.

On the larger issues, whether it is the fur strategy or whatever, we are intimately involved with Mr. Kakfwi's department in assisting him in the marketing strategies, et cetera, with respect to the collection of that fur. In education, we work closely with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment in trying to find ways and means in which to encourage the development of programs that will assist entrepreneurs.

So I believe that we do have a strategy that is in place, and the department has a very limited role as a department. But in the role of the Minister, I see my role as trying to coordinate economic activities within all the departmental responsibilities. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 307-12(5): Ed&t Role In New Initiatives
Question 307-12(5): Ed&t Role In New Initiatives
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 633

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Natilikmiot, Mr. Ningark.

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question, Madam Speaker, is for the Minister of Justice. I believe the Minister of Justice is aware of the case of four of my constituents in Taloyoak who were committed to stand trial at a preliminary hearing held in their home community on February 21, 1994. They were ordered to be held in custody until the trial. My question to the honourable Minister, Madam Speaker, is what factors are taken into account when corrections officers decide where a person should be sent when they are remanded in custody? Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 308-12(5): Decision On Placement Of Inmates
Question 308-12(5): Decision On Placement Of Inmates
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 634

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Madam Speaker, the four inmates that the Member is concerned about were moved to Yellowknife en route to Iqaluit. It was felt, and it is still felt, that as far as the cost is concerned, there was very little difference, at least originally and even after the change in travel, of transportation between their community and Yellowknife and return. The total cost of taking them from their communities and Iqaluit and taking them home. The cost is not much different. The guiding principle we use in placing inmates is to try to place them in a facility that is culturally most relevant and, in these cases, none of the inmates were enrolled in any specific programs prior to them being held in Yellowknife and Iqaluit and, at this time, are engaged in some programming in the correctional facilities in Baffin. All of the inmates in the facilities in Iqaluit are Inuktitut speaking people and most of the staff are fluent in Inuktitut. So it was felt that in the interest of programming and placing inmates in the most culturally fitting environment, Iqaluit would be the place and that has been the reason for the location. Thank you.

Return To Question 308-12(5): Decision On Placement Of Inmates
Question 308-12(5): Decision On Placement Of Inmates
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 634

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Supplementary To Question 308-12(5): Decision On Placement Of Inmates
Question 308-12(5): Decision On Placement Of Inmates
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 634

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Communicating with inmates in Iqaluit, at least two of them, they indicated over the phone that they wanted to be closer to their lawyer in Yellowknife and they also indicated the program is very good in Iqaluit. We hope that they will have taken the AA program when they get out of the correctional centre and have more control over their personal life. How come these other things were not taken into consideration by the correctional staff? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 308-12(5): Decision On Placement Of Inmates
Question 308-12(5): Decision On Placement Of Inmates
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 634

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 308-12(5): Decision On Placement Of Inmates
Question 308-12(5): Decision On Placement Of Inmates
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 634

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

The six individuals included two young offenders. It was felt that in their case, Iqaluit provided the best opportunity and setting for counselling and programming. The assessments are done by staff. It is felt the decision that was made, judging from the response and success to date, has been a good one. The indications are that the programming efforts that have been made with regard to these two are quite successful.

The other four were adult offenders. One had already been sentenced. One is an inmate who was sentenced who still has an outstanding charge. Two of them are in remand and they will be there for some time while they are awaiting trial. Again, it was felt while Yellowknife may be more appropriate for family contact and that families have greater occasion to frequent Yellowknife than they would Iqaluit, coming out of those regions and there were other people some of the inmates would be in contact with, it would be more convenient for them to be located in a place where they have access to these contacts. The kind of staff we have in Iqaluit outweighs the possible benefits of placing them in Yellowknife. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 308-12(5): Decision On Placement Of Inmates
Question 308-12(5): Decision On Placement Of Inmates
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 634

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Patterson.

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wish to pursue with the Minister of Justice the situation concerning Mr. Ningark's constituents now in the Baffin Correctional Centre in my riding of Iqaluit. I appreciate the Minister's use of the excellent facilities in Iqaluit. Is it not true that, at present, the Baffin Correctional Centre is experiencing severe overcrowding? Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 309-12(5): Overcrowding Of Baffin Correctional Facility
Question 309-12(5): Overcrowding Of Baffin Correctional Facility
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 634

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Yes. At any given time both facilities do, but the one in Yellowknife experiences overcrowding at all times. At this time, that includes the correctional facility in Iqaluit.

Return To Question 309-12(5): Overcrowding Of Baffin Correctional Facility
Question 309-12(5): Overcrowding Of Baffin Correctional Facility
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 634

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Supplementary To Question 309-12(5): Overcrowding Of Baffin Correctional Facility
Question 309-12(5): Overcrowding Of Baffin Correctional Facility
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 634

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

I understand, Madam Speaker, that conditions are so crowded at the Baffin Correctional Centre that inmates are virtually sleeping in the hallways. Is it not true that at the moment, at least, the Yellowknife Correctional Centre is not in a crowded condition. There is room in Yellowknife at this moment. Is that not true? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 309-12(5): Overcrowding Of Baffin Correctional Facility
Question 309-12(5): Overcrowding Of Baffin Correctional Facility
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 634

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 309-12(5): Overcrowding Of Baffin Correctional Facility
Question 309-12(5): Overcrowding Of Baffin Correctional Facility
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 634

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Madam Speaker, my information as of today, which might change tomorrow, is that Yellowknife

is overcrowded by, with regard to the number of beds, by two. Iqaluit by four. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 309-12(5): Overcrowding Of Baffin Correctional Facility
Question 309-12(5): Overcrowding Of Baffin Correctional Facility
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 635

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Supplementary To Question 309-12(5): Overcrowding Of Baffin Correctional Facility
Question 309-12(5): Overcrowding Of Baffin Correctional Facility
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 635

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

I guess that points out the need for new capital facilities, Madam Speaker. There does seem to be some misunderstanding about the criteria used for what seemed to be arbitrary decisions about moving prisoners and escorts at considerable expense. Would the Minister be prepared to review the guidelines that are in place, especially with regard to cost, to decide how inmates are moved from one institution to another? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 309-12(5): Overcrowding Of Baffin Correctional Facility
Question 309-12(5): Overcrowding Of Baffin Correctional Facility
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 635

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 309-12(5): Overcrowding Of Baffin Correctional Facility
Question 309-12(5): Overcrowding Of Baffin Correctional Facility
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 635

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Madam Speaker, I would be prepared to make available to Members some of the guidelines we use in considering the transportation and placing of inmates within our facilities and review the same myself and ask for comments from Members if they have specific concerns in this area. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 309-12(5): Overcrowding Of Baffin Correctional Facility
Question 309-12(5): Overcrowding Of Baffin Correctional Facility
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 635

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Time for question period has lapsed. Item 6, written questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Lewis.

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. This is to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. Will the Minister of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism please provide a list of each business taken over by the NWT Development Corporation and for each business provide the following information:

-How many jobs does the business provide?

-What is produced?

-What are the production levels?

-Who is the marketing agent?

-Is the business in a profit position?