David Ramsay

I must say I applaud the tenacity of my colleague from the Mackenzie Delta on this issue. I will support his amendment that he’s bringing forward today.

I remember back to the committee meeting and I know the government is going forward with a way to be more consistent in this area with the Interpretation Act that’s going to come into play during the life of the 17th Assembly. I think we have to be consistent. We’ve dealt with other pieces of legislation that have this clause in it. I see nothing wrong with adding this amendment. I always say, better safe than sorry.

I’m going to support my...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to, in my last question to the Minister, ask how it is that the government can in a meaningful way evaluate what we are offering today in the area of addictions. How can we evaluate that in a meaningful way so that we can ensure that the money that we are spending in the area of addictions is being spent the right way and actually making a difference?

We’re hearing it from residents, business owners, and constituents about the level of crime in our community, the fact that addictions seem to be getting much worse, affecting young people in our community, and as a government I’m just wondering what we are doing about it. I’d like to ask the Minister how exactly does the Government of the Northwest Territories measure and evaluate the success and/or failure of the programs and services related to addictions in our territory.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members have heard numerous statements and questions from me in regard to our justice system, and today I want to continue on with that theme related to root causes.

In May I talked about recidivism and the drastic increase in the number of violent crimes being committed in our territory, often by criminals who are committing a violent offence for the 17th, 18th, and sometimes even 30th time. The question I’ve been getting as an MLA representing a riding here in the city of Yellowknife is: how safe are our streets? When we have an RCMP inspector stating that this past...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Justice. During my Member’s statement I talked about the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Obviously, it’s in place across this country. The question that I have for the Minister of Justice is whether the application of that legislation is the same here in the Northwest Territories as it would be in Alberta, Saskatchewan, or even Ontario, and whether or not there is any evidence that sentences for young offenders here in the Northwest Territories are any lighter than they are in those other jurisdictions. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure has reviewed Bill 15, An Act to Amend the Deh Cho Bridge Act; Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Territorial Parks Act; Bill 18, An Act to Amend the Public Utilities Act; and Bill 19, Cost of Credit Disclosure Act. The committee wishes to report that Bills 15, 17, 18 and 19 are now ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know our time is short here. We have six sitting days left in the life of this government. Maybe if I could, the last question, at the federal/provincial/territorial Justice Ministers table, any new proposed federal legislation dealing with crime, I’m just wondering, the Minister alluded to it a little bit in response to another question I had, but where is the federal government at in the area of getting tough on crime. Maybe the Minister could give us a bit of an update on where that legislation initiative by the federal government is at.

Specific to the previous question was whether or not the YCJA was being applied the same here in the Northwest Territories as in other Canadian provinces or territories. Does the Minister have any evidence or anything related to statistics on length of sentences, what young offenders are getting for comparable crimes in Alberta, Saskatchewan that they are getting in the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’m going to speak about an issue that I’ve brought up before in this House, and that is of the many youth who find themselves getting into serious trouble with drugs, alcohol, and crime, often resulting in addictions and an interaction with our justice system, which results in untold heartbreak for their parents, grandparents, and the family members who love them.

In the May session I talked about how a blind eye is turned to illegal behaviour of youth. The example I used was of two 15-year-old girls who were caught drinking in downtown Yellowknife. The RCMP...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Justice. I’d like to ask the Minister if the department will look into the circumstances surrounding the issuance of EPOs, specifically the case cited earlier today by Mr. Hawkins.