Mr. Speaker, since 1996, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and the Department of Justice have been working in partnership with the RCMP to advance new methods of policing in our northern communities. I am pleased to report that the Community Constable Program has trained more than 30 northern constables to work in close partnership with the RCMP. This program has made it possible for local people to take on increasing responsibility for the safety and security of their community. The community constables represent new public safety resources to support community development. Due to the success of the Community Constable Program, MACA and the Department of Justice have secured $390,000 in funding from the federal government's Solicitor General's Office. Mr. Speaker, this funding is being used over two years to help community constables get further training, to buy much needed equipment and to coordinate public safety education and crime prevention programs.

Mr. Speaker, my staff and our partners are working on other initiatives that will expand community policing across the territories. One such initiative is the Public Safety Officer Program. This program helps unincorporated communities and those communities without an RCMP detachment to become involved in community policing. Mr. Speaker, I am very excited about the community development work that is being accomplished through our public safety efforts. Safety and security are essential for community development. I am proud to say that we are making good progress in this area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause