Brendan Bell

Mr. Speaker, I am certainly willing to sit down with the Minister of Health, but I think we all recognize and acknowledge and take the Member’s point. We certainly provide people a disservice if we do not provide them with the treatment and help they need. Obviously, there are personal choices to be made here. But we also have to live up to our end of the bargain, which is to make sure there are resources available, Mr. Speaker. It is a last resort to lock people up. We are certainly not trying to do that. We are not trying to unnecessarily lock people up when there are other options. I...

Mr. Speaker, it is very difficult for me to comment on actual sentencing because that is under the purview of the courts, but I would agree that we need to have support and resources in our communities for those who need treatment. There is a lot of discussion currently around the use of conditional sentencing. I know the Members are all aware of the federal proposal to hold conditional sentencing and use it only for less serious crimes and not allow it in situations where violent crimes have been committed, sex crimes, crimes against children. It is certainly something that I support that...

Mr. Speaker, obviously, it is not our hope or intention that we set people up to fail and somehow they end up back in our court system and back into our jails. We do need to do a comprehensive job as a government, making sure there are treatment options. We need to work in our corrections system to make sure that those who are in our facilities have access to these supports. I think we do a number of things that are very good. Are there needs and are there gaps? Yes, there are, Mr. Speaker. I would certainly acknowledge that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to recognize the people who are working to deliver local justice services and reduce crime in the communities.

Justice committees work with elders and community leaders to develop innovative solutions to their justice issues, such as the diversion program. Diversion is for people who accept responsibility for the minor crimes they commit. They meet with the committee to talk about what happened. Then the committee makes a decision about how the person can make things better. Last year, there were more than 200 diversions.

Community justice committees...

Mr. Speaker, obviously, it is not our hope or intention that we set people up to fail and somehow they end up back in our court system and back into our jails. We do need to do a comprehensive job as a government, making sure there are treatment options. We need to work in our corrections system to make sure that those who are in our facilities have access to these supports. I think we do a number of things that are very good. Are there needs and are there gaps? Yes, there are, Mr. Speaker. I would certainly acknowledge that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to recognize the people who are working to deliver local justice services and reduce crime in the communities.

Justice committees work with elders and community leaders to develop innovative solutions to their justice issues, such as the diversion program. Diversion is for people who accept responsibility for the minor crimes they commit. They meet with the committee to talk about what happened. Then the committee makes a decision about how the person can make things better. Last year, there were more than 200 diversions.

Community justice committees...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In addition to those who have already been recognized, I would like to recognize some of the RCMP leadership who continue to keep our community safe. Yellowknife Detachment Commander Roch Fortin; Superintendent Rick Roy; Inspector Jim Cunningham; and, Chief Superintendent Pat McCloskey.

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Mr. Speaker, in addition, on behalf of my colleague, Michael McLeod, I would also like to recognize his big brother Bob. Thank you.

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Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, June 1, 2006, I will move that Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Territorial Parks Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, June 1, 2006, I will move that Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, June 1, 2006, I will move that Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Territorial Parks Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.