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

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Sorry, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Mr. Simpson.

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It is currently not being used for remand. It is my understanding that it is fit to be used for remand. Offenders who are held in Yellowknife but whose trials are in the South Slave, I see them almost every time I fly back to Hay River on the plane. An RCMP officer and a remand inmate is being held in Yellowknife, and they fly later on back that day. That is $2,000 a trip for one inmate for one court appearance. We have a functioning remand facility in Hay River, and I am not quite sure why it is not being utilized. I believe Yellowknife is the only place with remand inmates. Is there a rationale why there is not a remand still in Hay River? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Minister Sebert.

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Yes, although we, in the past, did have remand prisoners at South Mackenzie, it is a low-risk institution, and therefore no longer thought adequate to house remands. Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. Simpson.

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The correction personnel have the same training as they do in Yellowknife, and there is a separate, secure remand area, so I am not quite sure. Can I get a little more explanation as to why it is no longer fit? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Minister Sebert.

February 23rd, 2017

Louis Sebert Thebacha

As I say, the South Mackenzie Correctional Centre has been identified as a low-risk facility, and in our view, no longer appropriate for remand prisoners. Whatever the case was in the past, it is now felt that the facility which does house, as I say, low-risk prisoners is not suitable for remands. Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. Simpson.

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I guess prisoners are just more dangerous nowadays. I did not get much of an explanation there of why it is no longer suitable when its classification has not changed. I am still not clear about that. I guess I will have to follow that up, because I do not think I am going to get an answer.

When someone is sent, where is the determination made where that person will serve their time if it is two years less a day? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Minister Sebert.

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Occasionally, suggestions, if I can put it that way, are made by the judiciary at the time of sentencing but, generally, the Corrections staff will make a determination of risk, available treatment programs, and so on, to determine where they should place a prisoner. Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. Simpson.

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Are those decisions made in Yellowknife? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Minister Sebert.

Louis Sebert Thebacha

I understand, yes, they are made in Yellowknife in consultation with case workers. Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. Simpson.

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I understand Yellowknife, the correctional facility here is often quite full, quite nicely staffed, whereas the correctional centres elsewhere, the numbers seem to be dwindling. Remands are disappearing. Can the Minister confirm that every single inmate at the correctional centre in Yellowknife is classified as a high risk, I guess?

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Minister Sebert.

Louis Sebert Thebacha

No. I mean at North Slave, it is a high risk-facility, but that doesn't mean that other inmates cannot be held there. In fact, there are medium-risk inmates and some low-risk inmates held in the Yellowknife facility. Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. Simpson.

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Is there a geographical reason for that? Is it because their home communities are closer? Because I know for a fact that that is not the case. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Minister Sebert.

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Yes, I think geography does have some play in determining where an inmate is going to be placed. As I say, sometimes the judiciary makes a comment during sentencing that placing the inmate at a certain location should be considered. There are a variety of factors that enter into where an inmate is placed: risk; availability of programs; geography; close to family; and so on. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of Feb. 23rd, 2017

Topics

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