Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Social Programs met with the Minister and his officials on January 18, 2002, to discuss the main estimates for the Department of Justice.
Members noted a $2,500,000 increase under the capital acquisition plan related to higher costs associated with the construction of the young offender and adult facility in Yellowknife. The committee was told higher costs for labour, geo-technical services and materials all contributed to the $2,500,000 increase.
Under operations expense, committee members noted a $62,000 increase for forced growth related to higher heating costs for correctional centres and a $66,000 reduction in amortization costs when compared to the numbers presented during the review of the business plans.
The Standing Committee on Social Programs would like to complement the Department of Justice on how their main estimates were presented to the committee. Members found it easy to examine each activity and were able to readily determine the breakdown on other expenses. This was not always the case in other departments under the purview of the committee.
Policing in the Northwest Territories
The Standing Committee on Social Programs has noted in their review of the 2002-2005 business plan that the Department of Justice and the RCMP have done an admirable job in holding the line on costs and in delivering a basic level of policing services.
During the review of the business plans, committee members pointed out to the department that the number of issues and trends affecting the delivery of policing in the Northwest Territories has outstripped the internal ability of the system to adapt without an increase in core funding. Committee members point out that many of the issues and trends affecting policing in the Northwest Territories are of concern to small and large communities.
It is time to revisit the issue of single-member RCMP detachments. The RCMP, rightly concerned about officer safety, is questioning the viability of the single-member detachment.
The standing committee supports the elimination of the single-member detachment and their replacement by a two-member detachment.
Members of the committee are also concerned that increased responsibilities for policing in Wood Buffalo National Park, for doing highway patrols and the increase in inappropriate behaviour associated with the economic boom are resulting in an unmanageable case load for individual RCMP officers.
In the report on the review of the 2002-2005 business plans for the Department of Justice, Members noted that the Government of Nunavut had announced a $3,500,000 increase to police funding to hire 14 new RCMP officers for Nunavut.
Members also pointed out that given the generally positive financial position of the government, it would be a good time for the Department of Justice, in co-operation with the RCMP, to prepare a submission to the Financial Management Board on the need for an increased police presence in the Northwest Territories.
The Standing Committee on Social Programs was pleased to hear that the Department of Justice is preparing a submission to the Financial Management Board for increased funding to the RCMP for inclusion in next year's business plans. Members would appreciate being kept informed on the status of the submission.
Community Policing
Members of the standing committee are interested in being kept apprised on the progress made with the communities of Tsiigehtchic, Sachs Harbour and Wrigley, who have no permanent RCMP presence, in addressing their policing needs. Members were pleased with the Minister's commitment to also work with the community of Rae Lakes in addressing their request for a policing presence.
Legal Aid
The Standing Committee on Social Programs was pleased to hear that it is possible for other agencies, in communities without court workers, to take applications for legal aid and forward them on to the Legal Services Board. This has not been communicated effectively to the community level.
The Standing Committee on Social Programs supports third parties taking applications for legal aid in those communities that do not have a resident court worker. It will be necessary for the Legal Services Board to provide training and support to the third parties in processing the applications.
Committee members noted the Department of Justice would not commit to reform the legal aid system in the Northwest Territories in advance of the completion of a federal research project on legal aid in Canada. The Standing Committee on Social Programs is concerned the Department of Justice is placing too great an emphasis on the results of the federal study. It is pointed out that a study commissioned by the federal government may conclude that the federal government is adequately funding legal aid in Canada.
Members would still encourage the Department of Justice to look for innovative and cost-effective ways of delivering legal aid to NWT residents in advance of release of the federal study expected early in 2003.
Finally, it was also noted that some regions might not be represented on the Legal Services Board. The committee was pleased the Minister agreed to examine the issue of representation on the Legal Services Board.
Registries
From a quick survey of other Canadian jurisdictions, committee members noted that the majority had either instituted on-line registries or were in a transition phase. The Northwest Territories has automated the personal property register. However, it should be noted that the Northwest Territories personal property register is "piggy-backed" onto the Maritime's shared system. In order to access the information, residents must either pay to subscribe to the service or attend the courthouse in Yellowknife to use the access terminal. This is of little benefit to the average resident of the Northwest Territories living outside of Yellowknife.
From discussions with the Minister and his officials, it is apparent that the department is moving towards automating many of the registry functions. It is possible for securities information to be filed electronically. Land titles are in the process of being scanned.
The department has pointed out that the costs associated with preparing and putting registry information on the Internet are prohibitive. Members understand this and note that other jurisdictions have picked a date whereby afterwards all information is available electronically. Information collected by the registries prior to that date would still be available by hard copy. The Standing Committee on Social Programs strongly encourages the Department of Justice to continue reform of the registry function. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.