Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the committee met with the Minister and his officials on Tuesday, September 26, 2006, to review the draft business plan of the Department of Justice.

Members considered the draft main estimates, including the changes to the budget of the Department of Justice since the committee reviewed the business plan in September, on January 16, 2007.

The committee noted expenditures of $88.441 million for operations expense and $618,000 to be spent on capital projects for the fiscal year 2007-2008.

Committee members offer the following comments on issues arising out of the review of the 2007-2008 budget-planning cycle.

Pre-Budget Consultations

This year's pre-budget consultation focused on the cost of living and consequently there were not as many comments received as last year on the state of justice programs in the NWT. Many residents and NGOs did comment on the inadequacy of funding for community justice programs. This issue will be discussed later in the committee's report.

Mr. Chair, I would now ask Mr. Yakeleya to continue. Thank you.