Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I spoke about the role of community justice systems and especially the service volunteers who serve on these committees provide. Today, I would like to expound a bit on what these committees do. I can only make reference to the community justice committee in Inuvik, as I have had opportunities to meet with them and observe their work.

The Inuvik committee is very active and has a large case load to deal with. From what I have observed and hear, this committee is doing a very good job. Mr. Speaker, one of the major tasks of these committees is to work on an adult diversion program; that is, where possible, to try to keep an individual from appearing in court and possibly ending up in jail. There has to be a tremendous cost-savings for every person diverted from our current formal justice system. For example, there are costs of: police services; legal services; defence and prosecution lawyers; the judge; maybe the jury; and, if it is in the territorial Supreme Court, the cost of the court party, which includes their travel.

If a person is convicted, then additional costs, which include transportation to a correctional centre, including return fare and accommodation for police escorts and then the cost of housing that individual in our correctional centre. We all know the high costs involved in our current formal system.

Mr. Speaker, the point of my statement is that we now have a community initiative which seems to work and at very little cost. It would seem that for every person diverted from the formal justice system, there is some cost-savings. I would suggest to the department that they do a review of the effectiveness and efficiencies of the community justice committees with a view of providing more support, moral and financial.

Mr. Speaker, we have something that works. Let's encourage and support it. Mahsi.

---Applause