I hear what the Minister is saying and I think the Minister is hearing what I'm saying. I totally agree that in the long term we have to look at these different alternatives as far as community justice, youth justice committees and what have you. But I have no illusion that in the short to medium term we're going to need more police officers. In the long term, hopefully we can lower that need curve so it's not quite as sharp as it is right now. I would say in the next five years, there's no doubt in my mind, before some of the other initiatives start to bear fruit, we're going to need more police officers. I think we have to be very pragmatic about that.
I'll take what the Minister says. I want the Minister to take what we're saying very seriously. If the situation in Yellowknife appears to be worsening, I hope the Minister will take whatever steps are necessary to deal with that. Mr. Chairman, that's fine for that part of it.
I have one more question, but before I ask it, I just wanted to make a couple of comments regarding some of the staff of the department. First of all, in the House I would like to recognize the former deputy minister, Geoff Bickert's contribution to the department over the last seven and a half years. I think he made a considerable contribution to the department and to the government. I know he served myself, Mr. Patterson and Mr. Kakfwi, very well. I just want to wish him the best in his future career.
Secondly, I would like to extend my thanks, and I'm sure other Members' thanks, to Mr. Garson who has filled in very ably in the job. I've known Mr. Garson for a number of years, wearing a number of different hats. He is an exceptionably capable individual. I really enjoy dealing with him in this capacity, and I enjoy dealing with him in his capacity as principal secretary.
Two others of your staff, Mr. Minister, I think deserve some public praise. One is, as Dennis Patterson mentioned, Nora Sanders. I think she was an exceptional choice for that position as your ADM of your Solicitor General staff. She has a very strong background here in the Northwest Territories, that has been augmented by experiences in Ontario. I think she does combine those attributes that both you, Mr. Minister, and Mr. Patterson were talking about, in that you need a certain toughness but you also need compassion. I think Nora, very well, combines those attributes. I think she's an excellent choice.
I would also like to say that Miles Pepper has done tremendous service for this Legislative Assembly. Many people don't recognize that when we first became officially bilingual, if it wasn't for Miles, it wouldn't have worked. We would not have gotten our legislation through. Many a day Miles pulled a miracle out of the hat and saved us with his vast network of friends and colleagues across the country. He filled in admirably after Geoff left, and I think he deserves a tremendous vote of thanks from all of us for the work he has done and for the work that I'm sure he'll continue to do.
Mr. Minister, I think you have a very competent, very loyal and capable staff. They are carrying out very difficult responsibilities in a very professional manner. The lady who is sitting beside you sat beside me for many years, Louise Dundas-Matthews, kept me from making many a mistake over the years. I always appreciated her advice and her good counsel. I am generally satisfied with the work of the department and wish you all the best in carrying on.
I have only one request as a former Minister. There is nothing worse than former Ministers second-guessing departments. I have one duty I have to perform from the past. I mentioned it last night in our meeting with the deputy commissioner. The Minister will recall, a number of years ago, one of the three RCMP twin otters crashed. At that time, I believe that the federal government definitely had a financial responsibility. That went on and on. I am not sure if it has been resolved. At one point it was going to go to arbitration. I still think the federal government bears some financial responsibility and liability for that. But when all is said and done, I think the effectiveness of the force has been lessened by only having two planes, rather than three. As communities are demanding more services, there is more movement of prisoners, and having that extra plane really does add to the flexibility of the force to provide services, especially in some of the smaller communities. I will put in one request from the past, as it were, and ask the Minister to have a really good look at the viability of getting that extra twin otter. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.