Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I can certainly provide the overall caseload for Members. It's not something I have here right now, but I'll make sure we get that to Members. I've simply laid out the waiting list in terms of civil and family law, but the Member is right that that doesn't give probably an adequate assessment of criminal cases and the drain there on our legal aid resources, but it is increasing. We are finding it more difficult to get members of the private bar who want to undertake and take on legal aid cases. So our model is a bit of a hybrid. We have both staff lawyers and rely on legal aid lawyers from the private bar. There have been incidences where we've had to go to Alberta and find lawyers who have come to the bar here in the Northwest Territories and used them. That's an expensive way to go and not something we want to do. We want to have the ability here to meet the needs, but there are increased pressures and I'll certainly provide that information in terms of workload to the Members.
Brendan Bell on Item 16: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on February 21st, 2006. See this statement in context.
Item 16: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 16: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
February 20th, 2006
Page 1200
See context to find out what was said next.