Thank you, Mr. Chair. We are very mindful of the need to move legislation forward as quickly as it needs to. The role that the Department of Justice plays is of course in the development of that and is by providing the drafting services. Often, there is a requirement for not only our department but all departments to develop the legislative proposal and to consider some fairly significant policy questions. That is where we tend to see more time often required than might be preferred, but we are very mindful of the need. Once a legislative proposal is developed, then drafting instructions can be provided to ensure that we have departments adequately supported to move that along as quickly as possible. There are times when we might feel that compression, but we do have the ability to look for contracted services if the need arises. Right now, we recognize that there is a lot of work coming, and we are preparing for it. We don't anticipate there being a delay as a result of a lack of horsepower in our legislative division. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Debates of March 6th, 2018
This is page numbers 3639 – 3680 of the Hansard for the 18th Assembly, 3rd 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
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Goldney
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair R.J. Simpson
Thank you. Justice, services to government, operations expenditure summary, $12,847,000. Does committee agree?
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair R.J. Simpson
Thank you, committee. Moving on to services to the public, being on page 299. Comments or questions from committee? Ms. Green.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Julie Green Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the Minister may have heard me ask questions about the public guardian. I realize the public trustee is a different position, but I do wonder about the kind of backlog, if any, the public trustee office has on applications for its services. Thank you.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Louis Sebert Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I don't think we are aware of any particular concerns about a backlog. Thank you.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Julie Green Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chair. What is the service time between an application being submitted and the file being -- it has to work its way through the court process, but, the file being readied for court, what's the length of time that takes typically? Thank you.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Louis Sebert Thebacha
Of course, that would vary considerably with the complexity of the estate matter that is being reviewed. We can perhaps provide committee with or attempt to get some averages, but there's probably a pretty wide variety in times that these things might take. 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
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Julie Green Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Sure, I would appreciate having an idea of how long it takes from the time there is an application made until the time it goes to court, which would be the only part that this office would have responsibility for. Other than that, I have no further questions. Thank you.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair R.J. Simpson
Thank you, Ms. Green. The Minister will provide that information. Am I correct in that, 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 Thebacha
Yes. We'll attempt to put that information together. As I say, it might be somewhat difficult, but I believe we can do it. Thanks.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair R.J. Simpson
Thank you, Minister. I'm just looking for something solid. You will attempt to, and you believe you can. Will you put together some information for the committee? Thank you. 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 Thebacha
Yes, we can provide the timelines. I don't know how useful they will be because of the very different types of cases and very different lengths of time it takes to resolve them, but yes, we will obtain those timelines.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair R.J. Simpson
Thank you, Minister. Anything further? Nothing further from Ms. Green. Justice, services to the public, operations expenditure summary, $4,340,000. Does committee agree?
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair R.J. Simpson
Thank you, committee. We have one information item in this department, work performed on behalf of others. Comments or questions? It can be found on pages 302 and 303. Ms. Green.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Julie Green Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I note that there is a family liaison unit. I heard about it during the hearings that were held here by the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. I note that this agreement is to end in 2019. Of course, today we just learned that the inquiry has asked for a two-year extension. If the federal government grants the extension, will the territorial government keep this unit in place? Thank you.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Louis Sebert Thebacha
Yes, I would expect we would do so. I would have to confirm with my confreres about that additional cost, but I would expect we will.