Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to the success of legal aid’s

Aboriginal Court Work Program. This program has existed for over 30 years, and the court workers were brought into the public service over a decade ago. Our nine court workers are present in the visitors gallery today.

This program ensures that Aboriginal people charged with criminal offences receive timely and accurate information at the earliest possible stage of the criminal justice process. Our court workers also help residents with family law and other legal matters, and help residents navigate the legal aid system. They are also the point people for legal aid’s Community Outreach Program.

We are fortunate to have a group of dedicated and talented court workers, all of whom have made a long-term commitment to the people of the North. Our court workers are located in Behchoko, Fort Good Hope, Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, Hay River, Inuvik and Yellowknife. They travel into all the communities regularly with the court circuit.

Mr. Speaker, I am not the only one to note the success of this program. Justice Canada recently released the result of the 2011 Northwest Territories Client Survey. This surveyed the program’s clients and found that all of them were either satisfied or very satisfied with the information they received from the court worker.

The survey also showed that 84 percent of the clients were referred to legal services, and that 95 percent of those clients in court had legal representation. These numbers reflect the breadth of coverage available through our Legal Aid Program, and that those in the criminal justice system are being represented.

Finally, I would note that our court workers play an important education role, with more than half of the clients reporting that the information they received from their court workers helped them understand the lawyers, judges and court personnel.

Mr. Speaker, our talented and dedicated court workers are making a difference for those residents who come into contact with the justice system. I will be pleased to officially welcome them to the House at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.