Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I raised in my Member's statement, there is concern once again growing in my community regarding the young offenders facility in Inuvik. Mr. Speaker, this is a project that was designated in the 13th Assembly and put in the books. There was a class D figure estimate put in the books looking at the project, as is in all government capital infrastructure programs, a class D estimate because they are not sure of the specific location and so on.
Mr. Speaker, this issue is a very big concern because we are being told now the cost is going up and the community, as I said in my Member's statement, has already agreed to fund the utilidor extension so that is at no cost to the department. However, we are being told now that there is more money required and that is a concern. Now the Minister responsible for Justice, in speaking to him, has confirmed that he still supports the project in Inuvik.
However, I received a copy of a letter that was sent to the honourable Roger Allen and it talks about the support for it continuing on, but there is one sentence, Mr. Speaker, that draws some serious concern. It states at the same time planners are searching for alternative solutions in Inuvik and other communities in case the Inuvik option is no longer viable, Mr. Speaker, I would like the Minister responsible for Justice to clarify, for the record, for myself and the people of Inuvik and those families affected by their children going to the southern part of the territory where all the facilities lie, will he commit to having this project remain in the community of Inuvik?