Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Moving this project from a GNWT capital project to a P3 eliminated the requirement for usual consultation and review by the Standing Committee on Social Programs. Then even P3 protocol was breached when I came to learn that the P3 was in fact being split and going to Inuvik and to Yellowknife for a new young offenders facility. I found this out through a press release issued by then Minister Goo Arlooktoo when I walked by the Member's fax machine and happened to see a press release laying on it. I was assured by the Deputy Minster of Justice that the decision was a result of a report called the McCready report, which provided several options for meeting the future needs for young offenders facilities and programming. But a nagging doubt persisted, based on the Mr. Todd's opinion that this decision had been based on politics. If the decision had truly been made in the best interests of our youth, how could I reasonably argue with it? But was it political?
For this reason, shortly after the departure of the Nunavut Cabinet Ministers, I wrote to Mr. Kakfwi, the new Minister of Justice, asking him to revisit this decision so that I could be assured the decision was made for sound reasons and not as a result of any political attentions which might have existed at the time. I received a response from Mr. Kakfwi, and since Mr. Kakfwi was and is a Minister I have a great deal of respect for and confidence in, I again laid aside the issue of the young offenders facility, somewhat more confident that I had enough information to satisfy my own concerns and any concerns that might still linger for my constituents. Then came this week and the revelation that with no consultation with the Standing Committee on Social Programs, the location, method of delivery, and scope of this facility has again changed. To me, this reinforces the need to re-examine the whole issue and assessment of all factors affecting this project. The best decision must be evaluated on the basis of many factors, some of which include cost, available services in the community, and the fair distribution of government infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, sometimes I wonder if this Cabinet thinks that capital budget means money to be spent in the capital, Yellowknife.
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Mr. Speaker, I appeal to the Minister of Justice, in the name of justice and fairness and in view of the many ironies, contradictions, and deviations from normal process, not to change his mind as to where this facility should be located but to go back to the drawing board and put in place proper consultation with the appropriate committees, and put in place a process whereby communities such as the one that I represent could have a fair and level opportunity to prepare a proposal and make presentation to him and his department for the proper, careful, and comprehensive consideration of this very important decision, because I know that we could make compelling arguments just given the opportunity. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause