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

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. Simpson.

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Minister's statement made sometime this week commented on the availability of programs in all the facilities. It is my understanding there were quite a bit of programming at SMCC that was not available in the North Slave at one time. I guess I will have to continue looking into this, but no further questions. I am good on this topic. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Did you want to comment on that, Minister Sebert?

Louis Sebert Thebacha

It can be that certain programs are available in institutions outside Yellowknife, so that would, of course, factor in if there was a very specialized program that was available elsewhere, then that would be a consideration on the placement of the inmate. Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Seeing no further questions, we will go back to page 261, Justice, corrections, operations expenditure summary, total activity, $36,616,000. Does committee agree?

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, committee. We will now proceed to the next activity, court services. The activity description is found on page 264, the activity detail is on page 265, and the active positions information item is found on page 266. Does committee have any questions or comments? Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I believe this is the section of the Justice budget where the department is trying to reduce court circuit costs, so I am just wondering how those discussions were going with the judiciary? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

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

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Mr. Chair, it is not entirely a two-way street. I think the judiciary is aware of our concerns and the desires to keep costs under control, but, of course, their concerns are to make sure that justice is properly delivered and on a timely basis, so we, to some degree, have to defer to their concerns. However, the concern about costs is before them. Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

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

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. So can we actually anticipate any costs savings then? I think, from what I can recall, you had forecast expending $200,000, more or less, this year compared to last year, so is that really going to happen? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

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

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Yes, Mr. Chair. I mean, the issue is before the judiciary. We are sort of looking at ways that we might make the system more efficient. There is a long tradition, going back to Justice Sissons and Moreau, of going to every community, but we here are wondering whether that is now still the most efficient system. We are optimistic that we can reduce costs. Certainly, the judiciary is aware of our concerns in this area. Obviously, we can't direct them to not go on circuit or anything like that, but they are aware of the concern. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

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

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Good luck with that. I will just move on to the next issue, which, of course, is one of my favourites, the closure of the law library. I did see, I believe at some point, a massive report, whereby people must have spent literally weeks huddled in a room somewhere, figuring out where all of the materials were going to be disposed of and where they were going to end up. Where are we at with this? I think it was supposed to be a research centre. Is it actually open now, in the courthouse? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

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

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Mr. Chair, the old library is still open. We are not ordering new texts, I don't believe, and it is not staffed anymore. It is still available to the lawyers and the public at large on request, although I don't think there have actually been any requests. We are hoping to develop a resource centre that will meet the current needs. Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

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

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. So do we have an opening date for the resource centre, yet? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

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

Louis Sebert Thebacha

I wish I could give a date. It is contingent on plans for renovations of the courthouse building. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

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

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. So is it going to happen in 2017-18? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

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

Debates of Feb. 23rd, 2017

Topics

Help us improve OpenNWT