Debates of Feb. 2nd, 1998

This is page numbers 471 - 504 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 5th 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

Collective Bargaining Position And Pay Equity Proposal

Canadian Council Of Ministers Of The Environment Meeting

White Cane Week

Apprenticeship Week: February 2-6, 1998

Timber Permit Application

Unmarked Graves In Southern Canada

Comments Made On Behalf Of Constituents

Passing Of Lucy Francis

Breast Cancer Screening Program

Legislative Assembly Curling Funspiel

Inmate Rehabilitation Programs

Capital Funding Allocations

Public/private Partnerships Initiative

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Lahm Ridge Tower Lease Agreement

Relocation Of Grave Sites

Location Of Tb Victims' Remains

Inmate Rehabilitation Programs

Breast Cancer Screening Programs

Pay Equity Negotiations

Nunavut Government Infrastructure In Arviat

Lahm Ridge Tower Lease Arrangement

Funding For Nunavut Infrastructure

Potential Criticism Of Public/private Partnerships Initiative

Funding For Inuvik And Iqaluit Hospitals

Rationalization Of Yellowknife Office Space

Item 7: Written Questions

Written Question 5-13(5): Operating Guidelines For Senior Management Personnel

Tabled Document 29-13(5): Public Utilities Board Of The Northwest Territories - 1997 Annual Report

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Item 20: Report Of The Committee Of The Whole

Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Member's Statement 135-13(5): Inmate Rehabilitation Programs
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 475

Edward Picco Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories leads the country in incarceration rates for crime. It would seem sometimes this government is predisposed to incarceration but not to rehabilitation of our inmates.

Mr. Speaker, in questioning in this House by this Member, it was learned that our correctional facilities are overcrowded, which could result in serious problems. However, overcrowding and a seemingly lack of measures taken to rehabilitate our inmates is my concern here today.

I have received information that worries me. When an individual is continually incarcerated, what measures are taken to diagnose, then act on, the diagnosis by the Department of Justice?

Does the department contact the referral agencies or does the department revisit the client and their assessment? Recently, a constituent receiving treatment here in Yellowknife had been turned down for further treatment and help at the addiction offices because of seemingly inappropriate reasons. Does the Department of Justice review the rehabilitation programs for effectiveness and if they are even applicable? Many of the more series crimes committed by Nunavut residents mean they are incarcerated here at YCC in Yellowknife. Does the department have a plan after 1999, how we will deal with the 40 or so Nunavut residents incarcerated here? Should we be planning a new correctional centre with federal help?

Mr. Speaker, the whole area surrounding incarceration, rehabilitation and locations of same needs to be addressed. Later today I will be asking the Minister for Justice questions on these matters. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Member's Statement 135-13(5): Inmate Rehabilitation Programs
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 476

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Barnabas.

Member's Statement 136-13(5): Capital Funding Allocations
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 476

Levi Barnabas High Arctic

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be speaking in Inuktitut. Mr. Speaker, I would like to talk about funding that is put aside for capital funding with infrastructure going into the communities, when Nunavut comes. This funding is available for constructing buildings in the communities and for water and sewage, roads and other essentials in the community. When this funding is not properly used or when work is put behind or deferred to another time - we are all aware that in the government we often talk about fiscal restraints - my concern is where we could get more funding for these projects? I will be referring to a question to the Minister of MACA regarding this issue later on today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

Member's Statement 136-13(5): Capital Funding Allocations
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 476

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Barnabas. Members' statements. Mr. Henry.

Member's Statement 137-13(5): Public/private Partnerships Initiative
Item 3: Members' Statements

February 1st, 1998

Page 476

Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, some time ago the Minister of Finance introduced a new budget for the ensuing year. One of the issues of that budget was a new initiative called a P3 initiative. I spoke in favour of that initiative at that time, Mr. Speaker I still support it. I also raised some concerns about the P3 initiative and the concerns that I mainly had was the P3 initiative brought clarity to any programs or initiatives that it took in the way of ventures. I still have those concerns, and I think they are highlighted even more, Mr. Speaker, with the present controversy both in this House and in the media, regarding the Lahm Ridge Tower lease extension which is normally an everyday practice. I hope the present lease demonstrates to the government how important the issue of clarity will be when we get into these P3 initiatives, and I will be following them with great interest to ensure that clarity exists. I will later on today, be asking questions of the Minister on the P3 initiative. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Member's Statement 137-13(5): Public/private Partnerships Initiative
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 476

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Henry. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.