Debates of Feb. 23rd, 2017

This is page numbers 1951 – 2010 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 going.

Topics

Oral Questions

Prayer

Update On Early Childhood Development Plan: Education, Culture And Employment Milestone Statement

Enbridge Pipeline Erosion Control Measures

Support For Terrax Minerals Inc.

Improving Consumer Protection

Hay River Rental Accommodation Challenges

Benefits Of Public Service Growth In The Sahtu Region

Yellowknife Rental Accommodation Costs

Resident Mental Health Worker For Tsiigehtchic

Sugar Tax Best Practices

Modern Treaty Implementation

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Emergency Situation Communication Protocols

Yellowknife And Peripheral Area Land Use Management Plan

GNWT Land Use Monitoring Capacity

Sugar Tax Best Practices

Improving Consumer Protection

Rental Office Workload Challenges

Rental Accommodation Subsidies

Land Lease Assessments

Residential Mental Health Worker For Tsiigehtchic

Social Housing Policy Adjustments

Written Question 21-18(2): Complaints Of Sexual Assault Classified By RCMP As Unfounded

Tabled Document 302-18(2): Workers’ Safety And Compensation Commission 2015-2017 Strategic Plan

Extended Adjournment Of The House To February 28, 2017

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matter

Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Department Of Lands, Deferral Of Operations Activity

Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Department Of Lands, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For Lands

Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Department Of Justice, Deferral Of Community Justice And Policing Activity

Report of Committee of the Whole

Orders of the Day

Committee Motion 65-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Department Of Justice, Deferral Of Community Justice And Policing Activity, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matter

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

The two new sheriff positions, are they located in Yellowknife? Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister Sebert.

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Yes, they are in Yellowknife, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. Testart.

February 23rd, 2017

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Nothing further. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Mr. Simpson.

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just one question. There was controversy with the law library because there was a sign-in form that apparently people signed, people didn't sign. You had the numbers of the department, the numbers, they were not the same. Is there going to be some sort of way to track how many people actually use whatever this new iteration of the law library is, so next time we have budget cuts there will be no confusion as to the number of users? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Minister Sebert.

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Clearly, the resource centre will be a far smaller operation, therefore far less expensive than the current library. There won't be a librarian there, so I think it will be rather difficult to monitor numbers. In view of the costs, I don't think it is a particular concern. Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. Simpson.

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Nothing further. Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you Mr. Simpson. Seeing no further questions or comments from committee, please turn to page 265. Justice, court services, operations expenditure summary, total activity, $13,655,000. Does committee agree?

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, committee.

We will now proceed to the next activity, legal services. The activity description is found on page 267. The activity details is on 268. Active positions information item is found on page 269. I will remind committee to specify the page on which your items can be found when asking questions. Does committee have any questions or comments? Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I believe this is the section where we would find the closure of the Beaufort Delta Legal Aid Clinic. Is that correct? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

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

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Yes, I believe that's correct. Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

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

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. In an effort to increase access to justice here, I think this would result in a reduction of $102,000. Is that correct, Mr. Chair? Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

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

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Yes, that's correct as to the amount. Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

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

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. So I thought the Minister was actually going to agree to the first part of my question there as well. So maybe he can just tell us a little bit more about why we have to close the Legal Aid clinic in the Beaufort Delta and how that contributes towards improving access to justice? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister.

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Yes, Mr. Chair, there had been a clinic for some time up in Inuvik and initially there were several lawyers up there, at one point as many as three, I believe. However, it was a different circumstance because there was a resident judge in the community, the Crown attorneys had an office in the community, and there was the Legal Aid office.

As time went by, it became increasingly difficult, in fact near impossible, to staff the office, in particular with criminal lawyers, which was the greatest need. There have not been criminal lawyers up there for I think at least 10 years. So there was a family law lawyer up there whose position was transferred to Yellowknife. So yes, it probably would be better to have clinics in the communities, but the younger lawyers seem to like the bright lights of Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of Feb. 23rd, 2017

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