Yes, I do, Mr. Chairman, if I may begin. I am pleased to introduce the main estimates for the Department of Justice. The Department of Justice has the mandate to administer justice and maintain safe and secure communities in the Northwest Territories. These are issues we are all very concerned about.
The proposed budget for 2002-2003 supports our mandate and reflects the government's priorities, including our Social Agenda and the creation of a healthy society for all Northerners.
The proposed operational budget for the department for the 2002-2003 year is $69,584,000. The capital acquisition budget is $18,846,000. The estimated revenues are $9.8 million annually.
I would like to highlight for the Members the major changes proposed in the budget from the fiscal year 2001-2002. As well, I would like to mention work that we have begun in a number of priority areas that are not reflected in this budget.
For a number of years, the department has supported community efforts to develop and implement alternative solutions to justice issues. The department plans to build on this support by adding $91,000 to assist the RCMP to dedicate one officer in the full-time restorative justice position. This position will work with the department and the communities to support efforts in this area.
We also plan to increase funding provided to communities for additional community justice activities, including support for victims of crime. Beginning in 2002-2003, funding for community justice will increase by $302,000.
In response to Members' concerns, and as a result of the department's review, steps are being taken to improve the Wilderness Camp Program. In 2002-2003, a wilderness camp program coordinator position will be introduced and additional support will be provided to the camp operators. These changes will result in increased funding for this program of $278,000.
The Community Constable Program will be improved to provide meaningful policing support in our smaller communities. Additional resources are especially critical in communities where specific concerns have been identified. Starting in 2002-2003, an additional $107,000 will be invested in this program. This ongoing funding will help to stabilize our financial support for this program. The Department of Justice also began discussions with officials from Municipal and Community Affairs and the RCMP on other ways to improve this program. We also plan to meet with representatives from our communities to present our ideas on improving the program to get their suggestions and feedback.
In the area of policing, the department has also begun to work to develop a plan to deal with many other policing issues facing us.
There are other changes from last year's budget. In 2002-2003, the department will be preparing for changes that will come about as a result of the new Youth Criminal Justice Act. Increased funding of $738,000 has been budgeted for this purpose. This increase will be offset by funding from the federal government and is reflected in the department's revenues.
Federal funding will also offset an increase of $223,000 for legal aid. Funding from the Access to Justice Agreement was provided to all jurisdictions in recognition of rising costs for the delivery of legal aid. In the Northwest Territories, this funding supports a 15 percent increase in the legal aid tariff.
Forced growth also accounts for an increase in our spending. In 2002-2003, an additional $425,000 is required. This covers increases in air travel, increases in fuel costs for facilities and the RCMP, and to pay for NWT participation in aboriginal land claim negotiations with Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
In 2002-2003, continued capital investment in the new correctional facilities will account for expenditures of just over $18 million. This investment will see the completion of the young offender facility in Inuvik this spring and the young offender facility in Yellowknife in the fall of 2002. The additional correctional facility in Yellowknife is scheduled to open in the fall of 2003.
Capital improvements at other facilities and the upgrading of our information technology capacity make up the balance of the proposed capital acquisition plan budget. Members will also note a projected increase of $727,000 in land titles and registries revenue. This is primarily in the area of securities and registration and is reflective of increased business activity in the Northwest Territories.
Members have also identified the development of family violence legislation as a priority. The Department of Justice has completed a preliminary review of this legislation and provided a copy of our report Family Violence Legislation, Interim Status Report to Members. Further research is required to determine if this legislation can be delivered in the Northwest Territories to develop some approaches that might work in our smaller communities and to cost out these options. I intend to return to Cabinet in June with this information for their consideration.
Overall, Mr. Chairman, the activities described in the main estimates support the priorities of this government. These activities will help make the Northwest Territories a safer and more secure place to live and to work.
Thank you for this opportunity to present the proposed main estimates for the Department of Justice. I will be pleased to answer any questions that you might have. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.