Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to seek unanimous consent to go back to item number 6. Thank you.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to go back to item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Are there any nays? There are no nays. We will return to item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Pokiak.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At this time I would like to recognize up in the gallery, my brother James Pokiak, with his wife Maureen and my niece Myrna Pokiak.

---Applause

Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 8, written questions. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Justice.

1. What would it cost to have full-time officers in all 11 communities in the Northwest Territories?
2. What length of time do the RCMP officers spend in these communities that don't have full-time detachments?
3. When would the government have a plan to place RCMP officers full-time in these communities?
4. Can the Department of Justice provide a report on the Community Constable Program?
5. What were the crime statistics in the year 2003-04 in the Sahtu and in the Northwest Territories?

Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to opening address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled NWT Liquor Commission 50th Annual Report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Item 13, tabling of documents. Item 14, notices of motion. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Villeneuve.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, March 7, 2005, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that the government publicly reaffirm before the end of this session of the Legislative Assembly, it's principles that "an effective justice system is one that is sanctioned by the communities it serves," and that "community involvement can lead to the development of a justice system which is accepted by the communities it serves and which meets the needs and aspirations of the communities it serves;" and further that the Minister of Justice bring forward, during the next business planning cycle, options and proposals for strategic investment, such as demonstration projects, for reducing recidivism, building communities' resources and capacity to address their justice issues,

and enhancing community involvement in the justice system.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will seek unanimous consent to deal with this motion today.

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Item 14, notices of motion. Item 15, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 16, motions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Villeneuve.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion that I gave notice of earlier today.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to deal with the motion that he gave notice of earlier. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Villeneuve, you may proceed with your motion.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you colleagues.

WHEREAS the GNWT's Justice Establishment Policy states that the Minister of Justice will adhere to the principles that "an effective justice system is one that is sanctioned by the communities it serves," and that "community involvement can lead to the development of a justice system which is accepted by the communities it serves and which meets the needs and aspirations of the communities it serves;"

AND WHEREAS regions and communities have in recent years seen a reduction in the level of justice services, including longer times between court circuits, a gradually reduced role for Justices of the Peace and the elimination or proposed elimination of justice positions;

AND WHEREAS the NWT crime rate has increased in each of the last three years and is the highest in Canada, more than four times the national average and seven times the national average for violent crime;

AND WHEREAS these disturbing statistics suggest it is imperative that we examine new and innovative approaches to community justice;

AND WHEREAS the crime rate is expected to increase even more with major developments such as the Mackenzie gas pipeline and mining projects;

AND WHEREAS Nunavut has expanded its Justice of the Peace program and it is common practice in Nunavut for elders and Justices of the Peace to sit with the judge in the courtroom and to have the opportunity to speak with the accused following sentencing submissions and prior to the passing of sentence;

AND WHEREAS the Northwest Territories, with its small population and large proportion of aboriginal and youth residents, provides unique opportunities for new and innovative approaches to community justice, especially for restorative justice;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that the government publicly reaffirm before the end of this session of the Legislative Assembly, it's principle that "an effective justice system is one that is sanctioned by the communities it serves," and that "community involvement can lead to the development of a justice system which is accepted by the communities it serves and which meets the needs and aspirations of the communities it serves;"

AND FURTHER that the Minister of Justice bring forward, during the next business planning cycle, options and proposals for strategic investments, such as demonstration projects, for reducing recidivism, building communities' resources and capacity to address their justice issues, and enhancing community involvement in the justice system.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. There is a motion on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

---Applause

Item 16, motions. Item 17, first reading of bills. Item 18, second reading of bills. Item 19, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Bill 17, Modernization of Benefits and Obligations Act; Bill 19, Appropriation Act, 2005-2006; Bill 20, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2004-2005; Committee Report 9-15(3), Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight Report on the Review of the Draft 2005-2006 Main Estimates; Committee Report 10-15(3), Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development Report on the Review of the Draft 2005-2006 Main Estimates; Committee Report 11-15(3), Standing Committee on Social Programs Report on the Review of the Draft 2005-2006 Main Estimates; and, Committee Report 12-15(3), Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Review of the Report of the Chief Electoral Officer on the Administration of the 2003 General Election. By the authority given to me as Speaker, by Motion 2-15(3), I hereby resolve the House into Committee of the Whole to sit beyond the hour of adjournment until such time as the committee is ready to report progress, with Mr. Ramsay, in the chair.

Thank you, committee. What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you. We will do that after we take a short break. Thank you.

---SHORT RECESS

I would like to call Committee of the Whole back to order. We are considering the main estimates for the NWT Housing Corporation for 2005-06. We left off yesterday on general comments. I will ask the committee if they would agree to have Minister Krutko bring witnesses to the table again. Agreed?

Thank you. If the Minister would like to bring witnesses in, I will ask the Sergeant-at-Arms to please escort them into the Chamber.

Mr. Krutko, for the record, could you please introduce your witnesses. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. To my left I have Mr. Jeff Anderson, who is a financial officer, and to my right is Fred Koe, president of the Housing Corporation.

Thank you, Minister Krutko. General comments. Mr. Hawkins.