David Ramsay

The legal division is what I’m referring to, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, we could provide that information to the Member.

The full compensation and benefits paid to GNWT employees on an annual basis divided by the number of employees would give you that calculation. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, there is a number of items in there. The accommodation program is the biggest item that is just $2 million, so that is part of the new agreement with the RCMP. There are also many other things, RCMP relocation, inter-divisional cost related to compensation and benefits for “G” Division, public service salary increases, as well, so there are a number of different items in there, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

From what I’m getting from the Member’s questioning, he would almost see the department as policing recommendations that fall out of a coroner’s report. The department is not in a position to police other government departments that would be excited in recommendations of the coroner’s report. That’s not something that we do and I don’t know if it’s something we would ever anticipate doing.

I do know that there’s going to be some legislative changes to the Corner’s Act coming up. I’m not sure if it’s going to end up happening in the life of this government, but certainly that will be coming...

This government has made a commitment to improve services to residents around the Northwest Territories and a lot of that has to do with getting the good services available to folks on-line. I know we’ve just recently done some with legal registries; I know there’s registration now on-line at the Department of Transportation. We are making an effort in that regard, and certainly if there are examples out there and if the Yukon has an example of how that information can be put on-line and utilized by people in that territory, that’s something that we could certainly look at.

The department supports the various departments in legal advice and preparation, and I wouldn’t see it changing under what the Member is bringing up, so yes, that is what we do, we provide support and advice. Thank you.

All the clinics are located in Yellowknife with the exception of the Beaufort-Delta Legal Aid Clinic.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We’re moving forward with the plans for wellness court. We will be in front of committee for a detailed presentation on Monday, February 24th. So on Monday we’ll be in front of the Standing Committee on Social Programs. I look forward to Members’ input on our plans thus far. Our anticipation is to have the wellness court up and running this year. It will happen. We’ve got some funding to see that happen and we want to get Members’ feedback on Monday on our progress to date. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The development of the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy was an important step in setting the stage for the pending devolution of responsibilities for lands and resources to the GNWT. It is through its implementation, in part, that the benefits of our new authorities can be realized in the form of jobs and business opportunities.

Putting the recommendations set forth in the strategy is key to its success. I am happy to advise Members today that the partnership established to develop and author the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy will continue to serve as its...