Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to introduce the 2001-2002 Main Estimates for the Department of Justice. The Department of Justice has a challenging mandate to administer justice and maintain safe and secure communities in the Northwest Territories. These are issues we are all very concerned about.

In Towards a Better Tomorrow, the Members of the 14th Legislative Assembly developed a vision for the future of the Northwest Territories, a vision for a prosperous future that includes safety and security for all citizens. I believe that it would not be possible to work towards that vision without a stable, legal framework, a functioning and independent judiciary and the programs and service that the department provides.

The departments' programs and services are supported by the following proposed budget for 2001-2002.

The operational budget for the department is $67,120,000. The total net book value of capital assets and work in progress is estimated to be $28,631,000. The estimated revenues are $8,141,000 annually.

Members will notice several changes in the operational budget from the fiscal year 2000-2001 including:

• • An increase as a result of the collective agreement settlement. This results in a requirement for an additional $1,781,000.
• • The salary increase of the RCMP. This is the final increment of a salary settlement approved by the Treasury Board of Canada two years ago. The increase in 2001-2002 amounts to $186,000.
• • Increased operational costs associated with the new adult and young offenders' facilities. The estimated amount is $2,948,000.
• • Increased funding to offset the shortfall of offenders being sent to the Northwest Territories from Nunavut. Another $1,060,000 has been added for this reason. At the same time, the revenue budget has also increased by $350,000 as the department is now able to house more federal inmates. This revenue will rise substantially once the new facilities are operational.

There are reductions in some areas compared to last year's operational budget. These are primarily related to one-time funding for projects that are to be completed in the fiscal year 2000-2001. The two one-time projects were:

• • Start of money for the probation services program; and
• • Implementing a new computer system to administer the new personal property securities program.

In 2001-2002, a large increase is planned in capital investments of close to $17 million, bringing the department's capital acquisition plan up to $20,205,000. Construction of the new female young offenders' facility in Inuvik and the new facilities for both male adult and young offenders in Yellowknife account for this increase.

Design work has been completed for both projects and a construction management company has been hired for the male adult and young offenders project. Site preparation is scheduled to begin in late February or early March; on the female offenders' facility in early April. The department's plan is to open both young offender facilities in February 2002.

Aboriginal advisory committees are assisting the department in all of these projects. Last fall, a blessing ceremony was held on the site of the new male adult and young offenders' facility and there will be further ceremonies as the project develops. This is part of the department's efforts to reflect the cultures of the North in programming.

For the past few years, the department has supported community efforts to find alternative solutions to justice issues. We intend to build on these accomplishments in the upcoming year by expanding training for community justice committees and by helping to set up two new justice committees in Yellowknife and Detah. This will be done within the current budget allocated to the community justice division.

The department and I will continue our review of the wilderness camp program. A report has been received from consultants on a cost analysis of camps and the program overall, and a copy was shared with the Standing Committee on Social Programs. We are continuing discussions with the standing committee and I welcome their efforts to help us develop an improved program.

The department, with assistance from consultants, is also moving ahead to develop evaluation criteria. Based on the work done to date and the advice of the standing committee, the department will shortly be producing a report on its review of the wilderness camp program.

This report will identify the findings and conclusions to date. It will set out a work plan for the ongoing development of a sound policy and evaluation framework for this program.

In the area of policing, we were expecting more progress in getting federal support for First Nations policing. I met with the Solicitor-General Laurence MacAuley just before Christmas to discuss this issue. I am pleased to see that Mr. MacAuley is continuing as solicitor-general, as I believe that northern concerns are well understood by him.

Late last year, we made public the proposed Northwest Territories Human Rights Act. This is a major initiative for the department and people in the North. As a next step in our consultations on this project, the Department of Justice will soon be distributing public consultation materials across the Northwest Territories. We will also be holding a series of public meetings for people to discuss the proposed act.

Overall, Mr. Chairman, I believe the activities described in the main estimates support the priorities of this government and will help make the Northwest Territories a safer and more secure place to live and to work. I would be pleased to answer any questions the committee may have. Mahsi, Mr. Chairman.