Thank you. According to what I heard, the majority of Members agreed. That was my understanding. Directorate, operations and maintenance, total operations and maintenance, $3.801 million. Mr. Krutko and Mr. Miltenberger.
Debates of Feb. 18th, 1998
Topics
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 906
The Chair John Ningark
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 906
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Regarding the directorate and policing, what has been done in regard to committing policing and training of community representatives to be involved in the policing efforts and working along with the by-law officers to give them a little more authority in the communities where a lot of times the RCMP is busy with other things in which the by-law officers could possibly take on more responsibilities in certain areas. What has been done in regard to community policing?
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 906
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Minister.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am not trying to be difficult here, but I wonder if I could get your direction here. On page 82-7 we have the activity law enforcement, which would cover off the concern or the question that the Member has. However, if you want us to respond to that specific question here under directorate, we would do so. Perhaps we could get some direction. Thank you.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Third paragraph, we also have at the very end of the third paragraph here on the directorate, the division also oversees the financial aspect of the policing agreements. You are right, Mr. Minister, it is on the edge here. Mr. Krutko, would you perhaps rephrase the question or pursue. Thank you.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In regard to the policing which is presently being carried out by the RCMP, there has been an initiative in place by the Department of Justice to work with communities where there have been pilot projects in place to look at training individuals in communities to get involved in the policing area and to work along with the RCMP and also be trained in Regina. I would like to ask the Minister, what is happening with this initiative and are they
looking at expanding that to other communities which may include by-law officers?
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 907
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Minister.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 907
Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Community Constable Program is one that is ongoing. During the last few months, we have had requests from communities or concerns that there are shortages of RCMP officers for one reason or another. As we look for options on how to deal with that, the Community Constable By-law Program is one that appears to be a viable option and is one that we encourage communities to look at and work with the department in identifying individuals to take the training. Presently, I am informed there are 33 community constable by-law officers throughout the NWT who have completed training courses at the RCMP Academy and some of the most recent trainees are now undergoing field coaching with the RCMP.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Community policing is on page 7-7, law enforcement. I am advised that the directorate just pays the bill for policing. Mr. Krutko.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I do not believe the Minister answered my question. My question was, there is a pilot project initiative that this government is undertaking in which I asked if they have expanded that pilot project to include other communities?
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 907
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Minister.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 907
Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Member is correct that there is a pilot project and there is currently a three-year project in Coral Harbour and Fort Good Hope which ended on October 1, 1997. The remaining community constables are currently working in the Community Constable By-law Program. The Department of Justice and the RCMP each contributed funding to enable the constables to continue working until April 1, 1998. At this point in time, we are planning to discuss further cost-sharing arrangements with the communities and the RCMP to decide what options are available beyond 1998. In terms of expanding the program to other communities will depend on several factors. One is resource, the money that we have, two, our view on whether this was a success and three, the interest in other communities.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 907
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Krutko
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In regard to the evaluation to determine which community gets what, is there going to be a call for proposals, show of interest or is it just going to be an independent decision? What role do the communities play in that decision?
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 907
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Minister.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 907
Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. At this point in time, it is very difficult to be able to say whether the pilot project will be expanded, and I would not want to give the impression that it would because, at this point, we do not know. As I said in my first answer to the Member's question, the Community Constable By-law Program is one that is viable and one that is available for communities that are interested. What it requires is interest from the community and discussions between the community, the RCMP and the Department of Justice.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 907
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Krutko.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In regard to the area of legal services, there was a dispute in the Inuvik region in the way funds were allocated to these different boards and agencies. Has there been anything done to restructure the formula to be more fairly distributed and ensure everybody there will have resources to deal with the number of clients and regional needs?
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 907
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Minister.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 907
Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The issue, again, is covered off in a later activity of the legal services board on page 82-8. As I understand, it may be covered off generally under directorate. I would ask Ms. Sanders to answer the question.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Ms. Sanders.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Sanders
The Member is referring back to when the two regional legal aid clinic wards in that region were combined. This was over a year ago, so they have had a full year of operation after combining. Initially, they were not sure the budget would be sufficient. Although, it is true that anybody would always like a bigger budget, the fact is, they have managed all right under that budget, and it seems to be working out quite well. In addition to the budget for operating the clinic, they also have two staff lawyers placed there, and those positions are now filled. Things seem to be functioning pretty well.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 907
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Directorate, Mr. Krutko.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 907
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In regard to the way the funds are allocated to the different regions for legal services, do you take into account the numbers of clients they have to serve in a number of communities? A lot of times people go to court, but they seem only have a couple of minutes with a lawyer before going into court procedures because the lawyers usually fly in with the court party, go into the court and fly out. There has to be more monies and time spent with their clients before they are able to develop their submission to the court on behalf of the clients they represent. I would like to know, is that considered in the formula anywhere?
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 907
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Krutko, you are referring to page 7-8, legal services board? I will allow Ms. Sanders to respond. Perhaps when we get to that, we will have the same response. Ms. Sanders.