During the committee's consideration of this bill, members became concerned that the principle of equality among citizens may be jeopardized if access to youth justice committees is not the same for citizens in different communities. Members brought this concern to the attention of the Minister.

The Minister's staff admitted to the committee that equality is a concern when delivering any program in the territory, but the department felt that the benefits of offering youth justice committees outweighed the disadvantage that certain communities would face if they did not have access to a justice committee.

The Minister informed the committee that the onus is on communities to request justice committees, and that once a request is made, the department provide assistance in the establishment and operation of a committee.

The committee is pleased to learn that the department will be receptive to community requests for justice committees, and looks forward to witnessing the creation of such committees in all communities across the Northwest Territories.