Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The issue of how the Department of Justice monitors our vision of safe and secure communities through the different goals is one that we take seriously. The member gives some examples of where the RCMP has had reductions in actual personnel from communities. I would say that is not a unique case. I personally do know of other communities where there is a shortage and it is not necessarily because of cutbacks. It is more having to do with forced-growth, increasing costs, but at the same time the actual budgets are not keeping up with the cost of doing business. Even though you do not see any reductions in the amount of money, the budget is not keeping up with actual costs.
I do know the Department of Justice has regular discussions with RCMP on how the money there could be best used. The deputy minister gave some examples earlier about the Department of Justice giving suggestions on possible areas for increased or decreased work. More recently when I met with the RCMP brass here in Yellowknife, we discussed having more cooperation in dealing with the finances, the actual administration of finances and exchanging resources or expertise there.