Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Members' statements. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I listen with intent when the Honourable Goo Arlooktoo made a statement regarding camp for adult offenders. I agree with the Minister when he talks about the need to strike a balance between ensuring public safety and maximizing opportunities for offenders to return to being productive members of society. I also agree when he talks about the meaning of the wonderful thing that the camp will do for the community. However, Mr. Speaker, one area that I have not heard the honourable Minister talk about is a program for the Natilikmiot region. The honourable Minister talks about and I quote, "over the past year, community members have established eight camps for adult male offenders across the NWT, in cooperation with Correctional Services. Camps are located near Rae Lakes, Pellet Lake, near Lupin Mine, Hay River, Fort Smith, Pond Inlet, Aklavik, Fort McPherson and most recently, Fort Providence." He also talks about programs for Arviat and Pangnirtung. My question is, Mr. Speaker, what about the Natilikmiot region? Do we have the lowest incarceration rate in the NWT or is Natilikmiot a low priority? Where does the Natilikmiot region come in? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr.

Roland.

Thank you. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Krutko on February 11, 1998, termination of NWT ski coach.

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs provided $10,000 during 1997-98 for this position. The NWT ski division also obtained funding from Human Resources Canada to support his paid coaching position and expand its programs into 12 communities through a training and employment program for community coaches.

On February 5th, the NWT ski coach received a termination letter from NWT ski division effective immediately. Staff from the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs met with both parties and reviewed the events that led to the termination.

I am advised that the termination provision of the employment contract was followed. The NWT ski division has acted within its authority in terminating this contract and is accountable to its membership for this decision. Thank you.

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a return to oral questions asked by Mr. Ootes, February 6th, 11th, and 12th, 1998, in regard to Lahm Ridge Tower Lease Renewal.

Mr. Al Marceau did not contact the Department of Public Works and Services within three or four months before July, 1997. Public Works and Services had brief contact with Mr. Marceau and his company in November, 1996 and in January and February, 1997, to confirm the over hold status of the lease.

Departmental officials were not engaged in negotiations about the lease extension or about Lahm Ridge Tower, prior to August 3, 1997 with individuals outside the department other than the owner, Mr. Marceau.

Mr. Speaker, I also have another return to oral questions. This one was asked by Mr. Krutko on February 11, 1998 in regard to the cost of Yellowknife office lease renewals.

The renewal costs of the four office leases renewed in Yellowknife in the past two years are as follows:

- Centre Square $4.7 million

- Lahm Ridge Tower $8.9 million

- Northern United Place $12.1 million

- Professional Building $1.5 million

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for my honourable colleague, Mr. Arlooktoo, regarding a camp for adult offenders across the NWT. As I indicated in my Member's statement, when I asked a question, where does the Kitikmeot region stand in all the programs across the NWT? Mr. Speaker, I have stood up in this House in the past talking about a request of Gjoa Haven to have a hunter's camp within the community. I do not know if the Minister was the Minister of the department, but I have, indeed, spoken about this to other Ministers about the request to have the camp for young offenders, especially.

Mr. Speaker, the Hamlet of Gjoa Haven and the public of Gjoa Haven has approached me to request a program. As I noted in my statement earlier, just about every other region has enjoyed such a program except the Kitikmeot region. My question is, where does the Kitikmeot stand, according to the Minister of Justice? Thank you.

The Minister of Justice, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The issue of where camps is located is one that I have looked into and it is clear to me that there is a bit of an imbalance of how many camps there are, for example, on the Nunavut side and the western side. There are several reasons for this, but one of the more important ones, one I would suggest, is the lack of a camp near the Kitikmeot communities. Although, I did say there was one in Pellet Lake, which in most peoples' eyes, is in the Kitikmeot. The communities and the regions need to be more assertive, aggressive and work more closely with the Department of Justice in putting these camps together. I will say to the Member that the Department of Justice is serious in its interest to work with the MLA in the community to see what we can to do make a young offender's camp a reality in the Kitikmeot region. Thank you.

Oral questions. Second supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Pellet Lake does not stand in the middle of Kitikmeot region nor close to my communities of Pelly Bay, Gjoa Haven or Taloyoak. It is closer to the treeline than anywhere else. Mr. Speaker, how soon will the Minister refocus or re-evaluate his priorities? Thank you.

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can ask the department immediately to look at past correspondence to see what has been discussed so far. There are several things we need to look at. One is the number of suitable offenders, so to speak. You do not want offenders in camps who could be a possible danger to themselves or to others. The other thing is you need the cooperation of the community, and you need suitable candidates to run these camps. I can look into it immediately. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When we talked about a need for offenders, I think, at the same time we have to look at a need for victims. My question is, will the Minister communicate with me before the end of the month about his plan? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The answer is yes I will keep in contact with the Member on that. The other thing we need to keep in mind, when we are talking about these young offenders camps, is the amount of resources that the Department of Justice does or does not have. I do need to point out the fact there are limited funds in the department for this program, but we realize the importance and usefulness of having some classes of offenders to be out, either in camp-style or group home-style situations, rather than in institutions. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Enuaraq.