Thank you, Madam Chair. As I've indicated in our review of committees, I'm not sure if I gave the impression that we were only talking about committees as it related to adults, we are also looking at youth and oftentimes it's the same community that deals with both youth and adult issues. So that is under review and it is a part of the work that we're doing. I think at that point we'll be in a better position to talk about operating budgets and whether or not they're adequate. I think this will be one and only one of the issues that we need to get a better handle on. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Debates of Feb. 21st, 2006
This is page numbers 1169 - 1218 of the Hansard for the 15th Assembly, 4th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was communities.
Topics
Item 16: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Calvin Pokiak Nunakput
Yes thanks, Madam Chair. Just how long would that take can I ask the Minister? Thank you.
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Brendan Bell Yellowknife South
Madam Chair, in the next couple of months, that work, I understand, will be complete and I'll be in a position to sit down with Members at committee prior to or during the next sitting of the Assembly in May/June.
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Calvin Pokiak Nunakput
Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. I just have a quick question in regard to young offender facilities. Can the Minister indicate exactly how full is the Arctic Tern facility in Inuvik for the women? Thank you.
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Brendan Bell Yellowknife South
Getting that information for you, Madam Chair. I think over the number of the last few years the answer is six. We have six female offenders in that facility. It does have space for 10 open beds and four secure beds. Over times these numbers have been down. I think we recognize after the Young Offenders Act and new YCJA, Youth Criminal Justice Act, that there was more of a philosophy around not incarcerating youth and having them work to be reintegrated into our communities. We weren't sure if that would be a temporary phenomenon, but I think the numbers are still down in our facilities, our youth facilities overall. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Item 16: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Calvin Pokiak Nunakput
Thank you, Madam Chair. Does that include the staff that's there right now? Thank you.
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Brendan Bell Yellowknife South
Madam Chair, I may have missed the question, but that's not a staff number, I'll get the staff number, but that simply is the occupancy of
inmates. Staff, 21 positions at that facility. Thank you, Madam Chair.
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Calvin Pokiak Nunakput
Thank you. Just one last one here. How much does it actually cost a year to operate that facility? Thank you.
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Thank you. Activity summary, community justice and corrections, operations expenditure summary, $34.005 million.
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
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The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Agreed, thank you. Page 7-37, activity summary, community justice and corrections, grants and contributions, contributions, total contributions, $2.086 million.
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
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Sandy Lee Range Lake
Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to ask the Minister about the COPS program that I made a statement on earlier today. I could understand if he cannot be 100 percent committed here, but if I could just ask him because I know that a group has applied for some assistance with the department and if the Minister could just, for the record, state as to whether he would look into it and consider supporting it? Thank you.
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Brendan Bell Yellowknife South
Thank you, Madam Chair. I am aware that it's been supported in the past and let me just generally say that we are very supportive of involving citizens and communities in the policing effort. More eyes and ears on the ground are going to help our police do a better job. Obviously, there's some training that is very important. There is a specific and defined role that's important in ensuring that this is done safely, but we are supportive. I like the initiative and we are certainly considering it. Thank you, Madam Chair.