Mahsi. Mr. Chair, during the last two pre-budget consultations, we heard that more funding should be directed to the local justice committees. Over the last couple of business planning cycles, the Standing Committee on Social Programs has made recommendations calling for increased funding for the operation of community justice committees and for paying the community justice coordinators.

Committee members are pleased the department has finally come through with additional funding for the Community Justice Program. Ten thousand dollars for each community justice committee will be phased in over the next three years to increase pay for community justice coordinators. Per-capita funding for each community justice committee will also be increased by 10 percent. Finally, an NWT programs/project coordinator position will be established to provide administrative support and advice to the community agencies who wish to develop goals, objectives, accountability frameworks and program evaluation.

Funding will also be increased for victim services, with a $25,000 increase for each of the existing five programs to $75,000 per year, and $75,000 will also be available for new victim services in one community each in the Tlicho and Deh Cho. A regional victim services assistant position will be established to assist community-based agencies in delivering victim service levels equivalent to those of community justice and police services in the NWT.

Members of the committee were pleased with the department's focus on increasing funding and support for victim services and community justice committees at a local level.

Members will be consulting with constituents on the adequacy of this new focus and may include it in the transition document to the next Assembly.

Mr. Chair, at this time I'd like to turn it over to Mr. Braden. Mahsi.