Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The situation has arisen because, over the years, the RCMP has provided services in the Northwest Territories. Historically, they started in some communities and expanded into other communities across the Northwest Territories. As the government has had funding to put into the RCMP contract, that has expanded to the point where it is right now. The level of investment that it would take to add police to those 11 communities, if it were to be done all at once, has been a challenge, particularly since the federal cuts in the mid-1990s. This government, after being presented with the resource request in 2001, has gone a long way to provide the RCMP with the resources they need just to deliver the service in the communities in which they are right now. As our financial situation improves, I have no doubt that we'll be able to take a look at other situations. I am constantly talking to Chief Superintendent Summerfield about this issue. It is one that every time we meet, it comes up for discussion about how we can better serve the small communities. A number of initiatives have been undertaken in the past year to try and improve the service to small communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Charles Dent on Question 530-15(3): Communities Without Rcmp Services
In the Legislative Assembly on March 3rd, 2005. See this statement in context.
Return To Question 530-15(3): Communities Without Rcmp Services
Question 530-15(3): Communities Without Rcmp Services
Item 7: Oral Questions
March 2nd, 2005
Page 1723
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