Thank you, Madam Chair. I am here to present the Department of Justice's main estimates for the fiscal year 2023-2024. Overall, the department's estimates propose an increase of $8.5 million or 6.2 per cent over the 2022-2023 Main Estimates. These estimates support the mandate objectives while continuing to meet the GNWT's fiscal objectives to prioritize responsible and strategic spending.
Highlights of the proposed main estimates include:
- Forced Growth funding totaling $6.2 million of which $56,000 is increased funding available to essential partners impacted by rising inflation. The remaining $6.1 million is additional funding for the Territorial Police Services Agreement of which:
- $611,000 is for additional RCMP members to better serve NWT communities with two additional constable positions in Behchoko and one additional constable position in Fort Providence;
- $239,000 for the increased housing and capital infrastructure needs; and
- $5.3 million for the ongoing impact of the RCMP Collective Agreement.
• Other adjustments totaling $3.3 million of which $2.9 million is for multiple federal cost sharing agreements being extended or introduced, including:
- Enhancing Victim Services Agreement;
- Access to Justice Agreement;
- Canadian Family Justice Fund Agreement; and
- The Indigenous Justice Program Agreement.
• In addition to the cost sharing agreements, there is also an additional $273,000 to establish 18 indeterminate relief coroners throughout the territory and one additional coroner in the North Slave Region; and
• Sunsets of $ 1.1 million.
These estimates continue to support the priorities of the 19th Legislative Assembly and support the vision of budget 2023, by working to keep our residents and communities safe while supporting vulnerable populations. That concludes my opening remarks.