Mr. Vanthuyne.

Under your guidance, Mr. Chair, I'll ask that the same question be asked on this page. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Vanthuyne. Minister.

Mr. Chair, after a careful evaluation of the young offenders' facility, we had found that the numbers had been falling over the years, mainly as a result of the change in the Act in approximately 2003. So we've been looking at this for some time and have noticed a steady decline in the numbers; there didn't seem to be any jump. Certainly we are committed to keeping the facility here in Yellowknife. The whole facility, in the sense of that facility and the adult facility are being re-profiled as far as employment within the facility, but the young offenders' facility will remain with dedicated staff. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister. Nothing further from Mr. Vanthuyne. Any more comments or questions on page 269, active positions? Seeing none we will return to the total activity on page 267. Page 267, operations expenditure summary. Comments or questions from Committee? Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Under "program detail" there's a line here for youth facilities and there's some significant changes that have taken place and I'm wondering if the Minister and his staff can talk a little bit about that? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister.

Mr. Chair, the reprogramming of the youth facility will result in considerable savings, and that's the reason, as I understand it, for the reduction. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister. Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. My apologies, I understand that one of my colleagues has raised this issue already, but at the risk of going over the same ground, what's the long-term future of that facility? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister.

Mr. Chair, although the building is fairly old it's in excellent condition. I had the opportunity of doing a tour of the facility a couple of months ago. Obviously, there will be a continuing need to have that facility. We're not envisioning any change; there will always be a need for some facility such as that for youth. That facility seems to be in excellent shape and we're not contemplating any major changes. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister. Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Are we going to be making more effective use of the facility? Are there other purposes that it can be used for? I understand that the number of youth offenders in there is not that great, which is a good thing overall, but are we able to repurpose parts of it or use it for other purposes to get some efficiencies? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister.

Yes, of course. For example, just as one change we've made, I designated it a couple of months ago as a facility in which women prisoners on remand could be held. This was a significant problem in Yellowknife. Perhaps Ms. Haener can expand on my answer, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister. Ms. Haener.

Thank you, Ms. Haener. Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair, and I do appreciate the responses from the department to that, and that's it for me on this one. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I've got a question and it's in regards to community linkages in terms of how the Department of Corrections is dealing with or trying to work with communities. So could the Minister explain what actions will be taken to enhance partnerships with communities and what does that mean? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Minister.