Brendan Bell

Mr. Speaker, a couple of issues. I think both of them were raised in the HR review. There were many, as Mr. Ramsay has pointed out a number of times, recommendations that we are moving forward with. I think communications have vastly improved at the facility. I think programming is ever improving, Mr. Speaker. Can we do more and can we do better? Yes, I believe we can, but I think we have a number of good programs in place, some recent media coverage, some speculation that we cancelled some programs. In fact, Mr. Speaker, we have reviewed some of our programs and are seeking to improve...

Mr. Chairman, it is a little different than the discussion I just had with the Member for the Sahtu because we are talking about the interim agreements. The section that talks about tourism licensing and the interim agreements. I don’t think speaks to employment. Of course, where there is a settled claim, often, as I mentioned, there is the provision to enter into an access and benefits agreement. It isn’t quite the same in the unsettled regions. I will certainly concede that. But these are the kinds of discussions we need to have as we sit down to talk about what happens. We try to make...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The first level of appeal when an inmate has a concern is, as it should be, I believe, in the Department of Corrections. But sometimes the inmate won’t get the satisfaction they feel that they need there and would like to take it to the higher level. The Member has cited the provision that allows for that. We have never had, to my understanding, a staff person who fulfills that role. We have gone out for expressions of interest in the past and had people on contract. We no longer have somebody on contract. The department has advised me that we would seek to do...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I agree that it is a gem, and we have felt for some time that we hadn't done enough work there in order to make this park a reality, and that's why we've stepped up the efforts here. I appreciate the support of the Member. We have asked the committee to identify some candidates for us. I can certainly tell the Member that I envision the successful candidate I certainly hope will be a beneficiary who knows the area well. I think that's in everybody's best interest, so that's what we're aiming for. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, I understand within the interim agreements that we set out with these regions, Dehcho and Akaitcho regions specifically, there are provisions that speak to exactly how tourism operator licences are granted and so we would follow the agreements. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, obviously the Member and I agree. Access to justice is critical. We need to make sure that those who can’t afford legal representation, when they are in legal need, have that access. We have had some concern.

The Members on the other side have raised questions continually about our caseloads and backlogs. I am happy to say that we are making some significant progress. We typically averaged well over 100 people on the waiting list. I think we have that down now, I understand, as of September 1st, south of 50, I believe, who are waiting to be assigned lawyers. We have a mixed...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. No, the tourism officers are in existence now. Their titles are not changing. They have this designation. So they aren't the creation of any new positions. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, in terms of ongoing monitoring, we aren't out there acting to police the industry, and that's why I say that we do need communities to come forward, and the aboriginal organizations, on a complaint basis if they have concerns about an operator, they don't feel the conditions of it's 7(1)(a) and 7(1)(b) are being met. They need to bring that to our attention; obviously, to the proper authority in the Inuvialuit settlement region, as well. If they are significant concerns that haven't been addressed, then we wouldn't issue the renewal of the licence. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member has made the case for this. I think the Premier obviously came back with great things to say about the initiative. I certainly appreciate the Member taking it on himself really to drive this walk this year and make this thing happen. We’d like to do it in future years. I am, though, of course cautious. We have a committee in place. We want to sit down in November and talk to them, do a bit of a debrief on the walk, talk about how it went and talk about priorities for the coming years. So given committee’s support, Mr. Speaker, I see no reason why we wouldn’t...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I may have missed some of the question here, but the tourism officers will be the existing tourism officers that we have in place here and the interest in their ability to act or have the responsibilities as a peace officer, that's correct, but only for the purposes of this act. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.