WHEREAS the Northwest Territories has the second-highest rate of violent crime in Canada;

AND WHEREAS numerous deaths have been caused by domestic violence in the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS risk factors and long-standing patterns of abuse are typically evident before domestic violence results in death;

AND WHEREAS the purpose of a domestic violence death review committee is to establish a forum for experts, community advocates and family members to study trends, risk factors, and systemic concerns and to recommend changes that will prevent future tragedies;

AND WHEREAS death review committees typically operate in a no-fault, no-blame spirit;

AND WHEREAS Manitoba, Ontario, British Columbia and numerous jurisdictions outside Canada have taken steps to establish a domestic violence death review committee;

AND WHEREAS Manitoba’s Domestic Violence Death Review Committee collects first-hand information from family members, friends and co-workers of the victim and the offender;

AND WHEREAS the Minister of Justice stated in the Legislative Assembly on February 24, 2014, that the Chief Coroner is actively working with her colleagues in other jurisdictions to investigate the feasibility of establishing a death review committee in the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS the Coroner’s Act authorizes the chief coroner of the Northwest Territories to bring the findings and recommendations of coroners and juries to the attention of appropriate persons, agencies or departments of governments;

AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly passed a motion on November 4, 2014, in support of a national inquiry and a national round table into missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that the Legislative Assembly strongly recommends that the Department of Health and Social Services investigate the feasibility of a domestic violence death review committee for the Northwest Territories;

AND FURTHER, that the government provide a comprehensive response to this motion within 120 days.