Mr. Speaker, working in the justice system is sometimes a thankless task. There are sensitive issues to be balanced such as: victim's and offender's rights, the public right to know versus privacy concerns and finally the perception that the justice system simply does not fit with the people it is supposed to serve. Every day, justice system workers deal with these pressures. I would like to recognize these people by telling you briefly about three experiences I have had in the past couple of months which convince me that justice policies and initiatives, while always in need of constant re-evaluation, are going in the right direction.

Late this summer I dropped by the Iqaluit Courthouse. It happened to be a Friday morning when Justice of the Peace Court was in regular session. I was pleased to notice that courtworker, Enook Petalaussie, was acting as a defence representative. Mr. Petalaussie was born and raised in Cape Dorset. He told me that he regularly conducts first appearances, sentencing hearings, bail hearings and trials in Justice of the Peace Court and also in Territorial Court. I was impressed with his abilities.

I saw lawyer Robert Gorin outside the Courthouse. He was taking a short break before returning to do some more pre-court interviewing. Mr. Gorin is on the legal aid panel of lawyers and I am told that he makes himself available as a resource to courtworkers when he is in Iqaluit.

I was glad to meet Mr. Neil Sharkey, who is the head lawyer at Maliganik Tukisiiniakvik, the legal aid office in Iqaluit. We had a good talk about the lawyer/courtworker mentoring system. This system will be of great assistance to the new court system in Nunavut on April 1st.

I mentioned in the last sitting of this Assembly that the Department of Justice is expanding the bush camp alternative for offenders. I recently visited Charlie Burke's and Gerry Morin's camps. After seeing their camps and hearing their comments, I am convinced more than ever that we are headed in the right direction in this area. These camps are doing effective work. It is my hope that, with help from my department, they will become even more effective in the future.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to meet all too briefly with justice staff at the Yellowknife Courthouse building. I was impressed with their positive attitude they bring to difficult jobs serving a public that naturally has high expectations.

Mr. Speaker, these are just three examples of how, every day, justice system workers are serving the public. They are deserving of my gratitude and I am pleased to be associated with them. I now ask all Members to join me in thanking these hard-working people who are putting our policies and initiatives into action. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause