Thank you, Mr. Chair. Earlier today the Standing Committee on Government Operations read into the record its report on its review of the 2015 Report of the Auditor General of Canada on Corrections in the Northwest Territories.

The Auditor General’s report, which was tabled in this Assembly on March 3, 2015, concluded that the Department of Justice has not met its key responsibilities for inmates within the corrections system. The audit found that while the department had adequately planned for its facilities, it did not adequately operate facilities to house inmates in compliance with key rehabilitation and reintegration requirements. The committee would like to thank the Auditor General, Mr. Michael Ferguson, and his staff, as well as deputy minister of Justice, Ms. Sylvia Haener, and her staff for their appearance before the committee.

The standing committee is very concerned with the Auditor General’s findings. The report makes nine recommendations to government designed to complement the 14 recommendations contained in the Auditor General’s report and to help improve the deficiencies identified in the GNWT’s corrections system. Thank you, Mr. Chair.