The committee noted the act was originally drafted in 1988 and has not been significantly examined since that time.
There have been numerous complaints from both landlords and tenants made to Members of the Legislative Assembly asking for this legislation to be examined and changed to meet the present day realities.
The standing committee is satisfied with the Minister's commitment to include amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act as part of the legislative agenda.
Wilderness Camps And The Correctional System
Committee opinion is split in the value of the wilderness camp program with some Members having questions as to the long-term viability of the program and whether the low level of inmate uptake justifies the sustained cost, while other Members believe the program should be expanded so that inmates could be in camps closer to their home communities.
The committee noted there is a request for proposal out right now calling for interested parties to put in proposals for the operation of wilderness camps. The Standing Committee on Social Programs looks forward to a briefing on the results of this RFP and further discussions on the wilderness camp program.
First Nations Policing
The standing committee is very interested in the continuation and expansion of this program in the Northwest Territories. Members strongly believe that a community is best served by an effective police force made up of persons representative of their culture and language. The RCMP and the department are to be commended for their efforts thus far.
Committee will be following up on this issue throughout the next business planning cycle.
Auxiliary Police In The NWT
The committee noted that the use of auxiliary police in those communities with an RCMP detachment is an important way of improving police services at the community level while not impacting seriously on the budget.
According to information supplied by the department there are presently 35 auxiliary police in communities. This ranges from 11 auxiliary in Yellowknife to one auxiliary in Deline. After security clearances, the RCMP provides training.
The Standing Committee on Social Programs strongly encourages communities and residents to take advantage of this program and to help the RCMP in delivering services in their communities.
Northern Rents For Federal Employees
Members are aware that there may be a change in the way rents are calculated for federal employees. As Members understand it, rents may be increased to market rates. This could have serious consequences for the Territories as it may make it difficult to attract RCMP and DND personnel to accept northern postings.
In addition, should the federal government decide to increase to market rents there is a strong likelihood that the isolated post allowance would be increased to compensate. If this happens it would result in increased costs to the GNWT for their portion of the isolated post allowance related to the payment for RCMP services.
The committee will be monitoring this issue and following up at the next opportunity with the Minister of Justice. Madam Chair, that concludes our committee's report on the Department of Justice budget review. Thank you.