Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes. I’m pleased to present the Department of Justice main estimates for the fiscal year 2011-2012.

The 2011-2012 budget was developed to carry on with a number of priority initiatives identified by the 16

th

Assembly. The department’s operations and

maintenance budget of $106.206 million represents an increase of 4.8 percent over the 2010-2011 main estimates. This increase consists primarily of forced growth in supporting the core operations of policing and corrections, and collective bargaining increases. It also reflects modest strategic investments in several areas.

Throughout the life of this government, the department has worked to develop and deliver effective services and programs to the people of the Northwest Territories to build a system of justice

that is open, accessible and responsive to individual and community needs, and to support the administration of our courts. Front-line staff work with individuals and families in times of personal crisis. This could be a youth in trouble with the law, a victim who has been assaulted, parents who need help working through separation or divorce, people who need lawyers, or an offender who needs the right supports to make better choices once released from jail. We also recognize the absolute necessity of working with other social program departments to support the Assembly’s vision of “strong individuals, families and communities sharing the benefits and responsibilities of a unified, environmentally sustainable and prosperous Northwest Territories.”

Mr. Chair, the justice portfolio is a challenging one, but it is also very rewarding. Our programs address important issues facing families and our communities. During the 16

th

Assembly, I received

input from standing committees that helped us all make the best possible decisions to meet the needs of NWT residents. Some decisions have been very difficult, and the current fiscal reality requires that we continue to use our resources wisely so that we can continue to deliver our core programs and services.

Mr. Chair, our focus is on meeting the needs of our residents. The department provides an array of core programs and services mandated by federal and territorial statutes. Justice has made it a priority to ensure these programs and services have the appropriate funding to provide effective and efficient programs. That is why we see an increase in forced growth funding in the amount of $8.9 million, which includes $1.7 million in collective bargaining increases and a further $1.7 million for increased RCMP human resource costs and for radio replacements for the RCMP. This budget also includes a total of $4.7 million for corrections to fund additional probation and facility positions so that there are greater supports for offenders as they work towards their rehabilitation.

In addition to managing our core operational costs, Justice also proposes investments in a number of areas that support the strategic themes of Building Our Future, Managing This Land and Refocusing Government. For example:

•

$150,000 is proposed to create an office of the children’s lawyer to give a greater, more effective voice to children in legal proceedings;

•

$100,000 is identified for the development of a comprehensive long-term Community Safety Strategy, an initiative that includes working with communities on local issues and strengths so that community-based approaches are identified and implemented;

•

$118,000 is proposed to fund a FASD

consultant position to provide knowledge,

expertise and best practices research to the department, front-line workers, community partners and key stakeholders on how to best provide supports and services to those with FASD and other cognitive disorders;

•

$109,000 is identified to enhance advice and support to GNWT departments and other public bodies on matters relating to privacy of, and access to, information; and

•

$350,000 is proposed to establish a two-

person consultation unit that will provide GNWT staff with training and access to policy and legal advice regarding effective consultation with Aboriginal governments.

Mr. Chair, these investments represent ways in which Justice is working to fulfil its mandate, further its goal of developing an open, accessible, responsive system of justice, and advance the overall strategic initiatives, priorities and goals of the 16

th

Assembly. I look forward to our remaining

months in office to continue our work with Members to make a difference to the people we serve.