Debates of May 22nd, 1996

This is page numbers 537 - 581 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 3rd 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 chairman.

Topics

Members Present
Item 1: Prayer
Transportation Agenda Update (1996): Creating Opportunities Through Partnerships
Appointment Of Supreme Court Judge For Nunavut
Construction Of Hospitals For Inuvik And Baffin
Need For Baffin Regional Director
Tough Decisions In Times Of Fiscal Restraint
Congratulating Baker Lake And Arviat Graduates
Reinstatement Of Public Speaking In The Classroom
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Rationale For Sale And Lease Of Staff Housing
Criteria For Sale/purchase Of Staff Housing
Interaction Between Premier's Panel And Resource Management Committee
Cbc Report On Possibility Of Civil Service Strike
Financial Assistance For Medical Students
Replacement Generator For Iqaluit
Responsibility For Maintenance Of NWT Highways
Item 12: Reports Of Committees On The Review Of Bills
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Bill 14: Legislative Assembly And Executive Council Act, No. 3
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97 Department Of Justice
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97 Department Of Justice
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Within this activity, the salaries and wages include all the salaries and wages of the correctional institute employees, which is a total of $19 million of the total operations and maintenance portion of $21 million, Mr. Chairman.

With respect to whether or not it's perceived as being low, I would generally say that, similar to all other programs, the funding would have to be substantiated. If there are additional needs that are justified, then it will be an issue that will have to be addressed when it comes to that, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97 Department Of Justice
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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Community justice and corrections. Mr. Krutko.

Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97 Department Of Justice
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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

The cost to fund day camps and things like that, does that come out of your O and M costs?

Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97 Department Of Justice
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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Minister of Justice, Mr. Ng.

Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97 Department Of Justice
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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, it's in this activity summary under other O and M. Thank you.

Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97 Department Of Justice
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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. and corrections. Mr. Krutko.

Community justice

Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97 Department Of Justice
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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Could you tell me the cost of running these day camps and what not, since it's coming out of O and M out of the $5 million?

Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97 Department Of Justice
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

May 21st, 1996

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The Chair John Ningark

Mr. Ng.

Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97 Department Of Justice
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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It's a combination of different funding sources. With respect to some of the day camps, there is funding within community justice committees' programs and projects, as I indicated earlier, of that total of approximately $900,000. They are broken out into different categories.

But there is also, with respect to what the Member may be referring to, the open-custody and the custodial -placement cement camps; the other O and M expenditure of which there is $1.8 million. Thank you.

Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97 Department Of Justice
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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Total operations and maintenance. We have Mr. Erasmus and Mr. Ootes for this page. Mr. Erasmus.

Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97 Department Of Justice
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Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to know what is the purpose of incarcerating people. What purpose does it play?

Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97 Department Of Justice
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. Mr. Minister.

Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97 Department Of Justice
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There would be a court-imposed sentence for the protection of society. That would be the reason for incarcerating individuals. Thank you.

Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97 Department Of Justice
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Mr. Erasmus.

Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97 Department Of Justice
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Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, perhaps I should have been more precise. Is it for the purpose of punishing people or to attempt to have them finish their sentence as a better person and perhaps not recommit a crime?

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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, it's not so much for punishment of the individuals. Primarily, we're trying to instigate some rehabilitation of the individuals and also for the deterrence of other individuals who may be in that same type of situation. And, of course, as I indicated earlier, for the protection of society as a whole. Thank you.

Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97 Department Of Justice
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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Mr. Erasmus.

Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97 Department Of Justice
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Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

I'm sorry, Mr. Chairman, I missed part of that. Did the Minister indicate that one of the purposes is to rehabilitate inmates?

Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97 Department Of Justice
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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97 Department Of Justice
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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Community justice and corrections. Mr. Erasmus.

Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97 Department Of Justice
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Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. How is that rehabilitation done? Are there programs that are put on by the corrections people?

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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, generally we provide some basic upgrading, educational programs, some counselling programs, psychologists, there are some treatment programs that we can access when available, and there are also some work programs to try to provide some skills upgrading and training. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.