Mr. Speaker, I have two returns. One is a response to a question asked by Mr. Whitford on March 9th regarding the status of a maximum secure facility for the Northwest Territories.
The Joint Committee on Repatriation of Federal Offenders to the Northwest Territories has concluded that the most appropriate action is to consider the transfer of minimum security federal inmates, who can be safely held in existing territorial facilities. Discussions now ongoing with the federal government do not include the possibility of constructing a maximum secure facility in the north.
A number of federal inmates are presently in northern custody under an exchange of services agreement, signed in 1986 for a period of 10 years. There was a substantial capital contribution when that agreement was signed, that allowed the construction of an additional 20 beds for federal use in Yellowknife and in Hay River. The discussions now occurring are based on the renewal of that exchange of services agreement, and must be concluded by March 31, 1996 when the existing agreement expires. A new capital contribution will be part of the agreement if there is any increase in the number of federal inmates to be transferred.
The new agreement will last for three years, instead of 10. Renewal of the agreement will reoccur in 1999, at which time separate agreements can be made with the western Arctic and with Nunavut.