Brendan Bell

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the House knows, wilderness camp programs are an important part of our corrections programming. Over the last number of years, I think we had a number of attempts to get the program up and running and make sure that it is well utilized. We have had some success. Kozo Lake is open right now with eight inmates, I understand, as of mid-January. That is pretty much full capacity for that. We really don’t have any other adult facilities operational at this time in the territory. That is a concern for me. I think part of the problem has been that the model we have...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a government we’ve made the policy decision to pursue an agreement in the Sahtu region. I have spoken in this House about our commitment to conclude an agreement. You have the Premier’s word that we would pursue an agreement. We are doing so and we will stick to that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Minister Dent, in our discussions today, had already indicated to me that he intended to do this. I know he intends to do it as soon as possible and, in fact, as soon as we see who the federal Minister will be. I know that we will have some more discussions around that. But I think we can get back to the Member with a response from the federal Minister as soon as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think we could probably go even a step further and have some discussion with other provincial and territorial jurisdictions, because I have looked into the numbers. Apparently, there are only 19 citizenship judges appointed in Canada representing just five of the 13 jurisdictions. That leaves Atlantic Canada, Saskatchewan and the North without citizenship judges. Obviously we need another approach. I think this is something that our Minister of Immigration will take up with the newly appointed federal Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have, as a department, looked at other jurisdictions that might be able to offer some advice and some support in this area. What we found is that really there aren’t other jurisdictions doing this type of wilderness programming on the land. We have been pioneers in this area. I think the most effective approach for us here is to work with the elders in the region. That is, in fact, why we have undertaken this program. We heard from elders in the region that they were very supportive of on-the-land programming, and yet, when we tried to roll out programs, there...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, indeed. We are, at the Member’s suggestion, working with an elder from Fort Good Hope, Charlie Tobac. We are having preliminary discussions with him. I have had staff go up to visit with Mr. Tobac at his home to discuss the model. As I have said, we are trying to be as flexible as possible and, if there have been unnecessary complications in the past, reduce those hurdles. I think that has been part of the problem. Typically, we would issue an RFP and see very little interest. We were expecting elders to provide programming and counselling on the land, be...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think Members know by policy decision of this government, we engaged with the Gwich’in to sit down and talk about an MOU that would see the GTC represent companies in the Gwich’in settlement region and there would be targets for procurement in that region. At the same time, we made the commitment some years ago in the past government to do likewise in the Sahtu region. We have now sat down to start these discussions with SSI, who will be the umbrella group representing the MOU. We have provided them with a contribution to sit down and do some policy development work...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I think it’s a good point, and I think it is something that’s necessary. We will make sure that copies of the access and privacy policy and guidelines manual are sent to access and privacy coordinators, and also to contacts, the relevant contacts of NWT boards, which are subject to the act once the amendment is passed.

I guess the other point I should make is, we have scheduled some training for the end of October with the various different agencies that would be affected if this amendment is passed.

Just to respond further and clarify, in my earlier response what I...

Thank you. As I’ve indicated, the request came from the Department of Health and Social Services. They were dealing with IT contractors, and recognized that, in terms of protection of privacy, those IT contractors wouldn’t be held to the same standard as GNWT employees. So there was a need to revisit the definition of employee, and sufficiently broaden that to make sure that it captured at least this aspect of contracting. It does that now, as well.

Also, the Department of Justice analyzed the definition, and suggested that it should also be broadened to include those who are appointed; or...

Thank you. With me today are Glen Rutland and Janice Laycock from the Department of Justice.