I believe there are already plans in the works to put a new facility in Fort Smith. As far as a male facility, there are no plans at this time and we would be open to discussion. But North Slave Correctional Facility was designed to have a pod added on to it, so it may prove to be the most cost-effective place to add on to male facilities in the Northwest Territories.

We can do those things. We have to work with the communities, as the Member indicated. The communities have to take some initiative to help report these things when they are happening so we can get members in.

Last summer the RCMP also conducted enhanced patrols of lakes and the Mackenzie River, and extended highway patrols took place from July 23rd to August 5th involving several communities and partners in the “M” Division with the Yukon. We are working with our territorial partners. The objective of the patrol was to enhance public safety and police presence through high visibility and check...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Member for that question. Currently the “G” Division has two fully operational drug services in the Northwest Territories. One is located here in Yellowknife; the other one is in Hay River. These teams support the division, all the detachments throughout the Northwest Territories. The dogs and their handlers also visit communities throughout the Northwest Territories, both for showcasing what they do but also to conduct investigations. This is part of our promotional anti, sort of, prevention mechanism as well.

Recently the teams attended some community...

Mr. Speaker, for many years, we had a problem filling entry-level vacancies for corrections officers with northern people who had the basic skills that would qualify them to be hired.

In 2009 the corrections service looked at the problem and developed a six-week training program to ensure we have a representative northern workforce in our corrections facilities. The end result is the Corrections Northern Recruit Training Program.

I am pleased to report that this program has been a success. On November 25th we added 12 more graduates to join the 52 who have gone before and are now trained to work...

During my conversation with the federal Minister of Justice in Ottawa, we talked about options to keep people out of the court system and we have agreed that our department, and the federal department and the territorial department are going to work together to come up with some options in this area. Diversions is certainly one of those areas. The departments will continue to have that conversation. As more information comes down, I am absolutely happy to share that with committee and with the Regular Members. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I can’t say exactly when we’ll actually see the recommendations come forward, but I have committed to work with the Department of Health and Social Services to come up with a working group that’s going to come up with these recommendations. I hope to have that to the Member shortly after Christmas, as far as when the actual recommendations come out. We might need a bit more time. I will continue to work on that.

Building on this is the conversation I had with the federal Minister on Monday. The federal Minister did indicate that they would be willing to work with us on options to help keep...

That would be the financially prudent and responsible thing to do, so that’s what we would be doing. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No. No, there isn’t.

The department already has been working with the RCMP in increasing the number and length of patrols in the communities. To that end, we have actually put an additional position, an RCMP position in Fort Good Hope to provide some coverage to Colville. But I understand there are still concerns in the communities, and I’m happy to go meet with the individuals in Colville Lake to talk about what they would like to do to address these problems, what community solutions they have, and from there we can build into some larger picture solutions. I’m looking forward to working with the Member and his...

That would be done in cooperation with the federal government. We haven’t had that kind of specific detail, but we have been looking at alternative options, the options that I provided in an earlier response. We are having those discussions, but ultimately there is some federal responsibility here. Thank you.