This is page numbers 725-762 of the Hansard for the 18th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was program.

Topics

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the response from the Minister. I'm wondering if there are other opportunities to perhaps raise more revenues within the Department of Justice. Mr. Chair, I'm wondering if I can get some comment from the Minister and his staff. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister Sebert.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Mr. Chair, we are always looking at the possibility of raising additional revenue. In fact, in the category or the line item, court fees and fines, you can see that is up slightly. In the land title and legal registries fees, there's a considerable increase. That's driven by increasing the cost of prospectuses which are filed across the country and also in our jurisdiction. So we are always looking at ways to increase revenue. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. O'Reilly.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. So when the department's constantly looking at ways to raise new revenues, do we look at how we compare to other jurisdictions? Is it more systematic and rigorous in terms of comparing our fees against other jurisdictions in Canada? And how often might that sort of exercise happen? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Yes, Mr. Chair. We do that. We always compare our fees not only in this department, in all departments with other jurisdictions so that we can remain competitive. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. O'Reilly.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the response from the Minister. Are these fees then reviewed on an annual basis for comparability with other jurisdictions? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Yes, Mr. Chair. I understand that they are reviewed on an annual basis. Generally there are increases because we have to at least keep up with the cost of living. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. O'Reilly.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I have no further questions.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Mr. Testart.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Under the Nunavut Exchange of Services, I note that fluctuated between 2014-15 and 2015-16, around $1 million and now it's back to a similar ratio. Could the Minister speak to that fluctuation and what those exchange of services are? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Mr. Chair, that represents an amount that is provided to us by the Government of Nunavut when we house inmates from that jurisdiction in our facilities. Perhaps there's a reduction in crime in Nunavut. I'm not certain, but it's dependent on the number of inmates that we house and that number has gone down. Fewer also have been sent here since the opening of a new facility in Iqaluit. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Testart.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

June 16th, 2016

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's the same rationale for the federal exchange of services, the same type of revenue? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Mr. Chair, it's slightly different in that these federal inmates are very likely people that have lived here and under arrangements between the Federal Government and the Territorial Government certain inmates who are doing federal time are allowed to remain in the Northwest Territories. So I think that is what that figure represents. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Testart.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Under the Young Offenders Special Allowance, we've got more fluctuation there from $3,000 to 25 now down to $5,000. Can the Minister provide detail on what the special allowance is and why it's fluctuating? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Mr. Chair, I understand these are things like child tax credits and because the numbers of young offenders has fallen, at least those in custody, therefore the number has fallen to a rather insignificant amount. Thank you, Mr. Chair.