Thank you, Mr. Chairman. One of the concerns I have in regard to the comments I have heard so far, is that, in light of the number of aboriginal people incarcerated in our jails and through the justice system, I believe there has to be taken into account somewhere that we have to consider the makeup of our judiciary system to reflect the population and the number of people that are represented through gender or some ethnic background. I believe it is time we made an attempt through this bill, or any other bill, to ensure there is an aboriginal makeup of the judiciary system, to reflect the number of aboriginal people that find themselves in front of the judiciary system to take into account the aboriginal aspects of life in the north and a reflection of the life style that a lot of aboriginal people find themselves in when coming forth in front of the judicial system, where it becomes a cycle of life.

I believe there has to be an attempt made. I know it has been tried. I believe the comment was made by the representative from the Social Committee, but I believe something has to be done to reflect the makeup of the population of the Northwest Territories and also the number of communities, especially the aboriginal communities that have to use the system in regard to the way they are dealt with through the judicial system, sentenced and also the fairness and equitable manner that the judicial system has to service. There has to be an attempt made to reflect the makeup of the population of the Northwest Territories, especially when it comes to the judicial system.

The MP for the Northwest Territories tried to make an attempt in regard to the seat that was going to be filled at the Supreme Court of Canada. There was some reflection on trying to require that seat for the aboriginal people in Canada, especially with a lot of the aboriginal issues now, in regard to court cases across Canada and also in the future of the Northwest Territories, dealing with outstanding issues such as claim settlements, the question of treaty rights, the overall question that deals with long outstanding aboriginal issues which may find themselves in front of the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories or even the Supreme Court of Canada.

I believe we have to make an attempt somehow to allow ourselves, through this bill or another bill, to look at the makeup of the judicial system in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.