Charles Dent

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories currently funds one position with the RCMP to work with communities across the North in trying to address community concerns about crime, and particularly youth crime. It certainly is an issue that is of concern to the department and this government. If the Member has any suggestions for how we can better work in the communities to address issues around youth crime, I'm prepared to commit to work with him to do that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I hope to have an opportunity to meet fairly soon with the chief superintendent of the RCMP and will certainly offer to work in collaboration with the RCMP to ensure that we are moving issues of justice and law enforcement forward.

I would like to make clear though, that the RCMP's ability to arrest youth has not changed under this act. The Youth Criminal Justice Act hasn't changed the circumstances under which a young person could be arrested, but the RCMP must consider extrajudicial measures now before proceeding with charges. I think that may be the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the chief judge will provide some advice on this issue, as likely will the committee that's going to be making some recommendations. All of the information will be based on the workload that is found in whatever regions we have in the Northwest Territories, so it's not an issue of consultation. I have been contacted by Members of this House, I have been contacted by the mayor of Hay River and by the president of the Chamber of Commerce, so I have heard from people about the interest as to where the position would be located. I will ensure that, when...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Territorial Court Act establishes the process for the appointment of territorial judges. Basically, there is a Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee which is established by the act. The chief judge chairs it, and the membership consists also of the senior territorial judge, four members of the public appointed by the Commissioner in Executive Council, and two lawyers appointed by the Law Society. The committee advertises the vacancy, reviews the applications, assesses the qualifications of candidates, and in confidence gives the Commissioner in...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the first week of February, the Northwest Territories will reach a milestone. Since 1964, we have been certifying and recognizing our apprentices in their chosen fields.

During the past 40 years, our territory's buildings, roads and communities have been built through the efforts of certified tradespeople. Ever since 1968, when Colin Adjun from Kugluktuk received top tradesperson status in his course as a heavy equipment operator in Fort Smith, there has been no stopping northern residents from distinguishing themselves as electricians, plumbers, cooks, welders and...

Mr. Speaker, I’m afraid I don’t have an answer for that question. I’ll have to take it as notice.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think that it's important that people become more aware throughout the Territories of the options that are available now for dealing with youth who have run afoul of the law. Alternative measures, such as youth justice committees, are certainly an important aspect to deal with those circumstances. I think it's important that we try to make sure more and more people are aware of these options, and that we do what we can to support the committees in their operations throughout the Territories. So we'll certainly work towards further emphasizing the use...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My advice isn't that I can make a recommendation about who should be hired. It is clearly a decision of Cabinet, that a location or residence can be stipulated. But as Attorney General for the Northwest Territories, part of my responsibility is to present the case that the judges bring forward, as well. So I have to present the arguments that are given to me by the chief justice and advocate on their behalf, as well as keeping in mind the political sensitivities around the issue. I think that the Members can be assured that Cabinet will have all of the facts before...

Mr. Speaker, as I said, the committee will recommend a list of people that must be presented to Cabinet. It's not up to the Minister to make any sort of recommendation at all. In fact, the Minister does not make a recommendation as to the appointment of a judge. The Minister only presents the letter that is provided by the committee to Cabinet, and then Cabinet as a whole will make a selection. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have three constituents in the gallery I would like to recognize today: Mr. Blake Lyons, who is president of the NWT Association of Communities and a constituent; also, Ms. Karen Hamre, a businessperson in town and a former candidate in the NWT election; also, Barb Wyness, with the UNW, who is joining us again. I should mention that she is beside Mr. Todd Parsons and both of them participated in a reading buddies program at Weledeh with me. Also I would like to make special note of an old friend, Mr. Ed Jeske, who typically joins us on our openings in...