Jackson Lafferty

The funding that we provide, the $105,000 to YWCA, to my understanding there hasn’t been a request for an increase, but we can definitely look at this area. If there’s forced growth within the organization, then that’s an area we can look at as the Member is referring to. I can commit to looking at this area and how we can move forward. What we have now is the $105,000 that’s before us with the budget time frame. We’re moving ahead with this but I can commit to the Members that this is an area that we need to look at as we move forward.

Yes, Mr. Chairman. I have with me to my left Bronwyn Watters, deputy minister of Justice. To my right is Kim Schofield, director of finance for the Justice department.

As far as I know, and we need to get confirmation, this number has been the same for quite some time now. But we will confirm the length of time it’s been like that. We’ll get back to Members on that.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes. I’m pleased to present the Department of Justice main estimates for the fiscal year 2011-2012.

The 2011-2012 budget was developed to carry on with a number of priority initiatives identified by the 16th Assembly. The department’s operations and maintenance budget of $106.206 million represents an increase of 4.8 percent over the 2010-2011 main estimates. This increase consists primarily of forced growth in supporting the core operations of policing and corrections, and collective bargaining increases. It also reflects modest strategic investments in several areas.

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Mahsi, Mr. Chair. It would be a rumour, but it’s not happening. Mahsi.

Mr Speaker, the 18 recommendations, as I stated, we are as a department going through each and every item and highlighting which areas should be expedited or, I guess, delivered immediately. Those are areas that we can share with the standing committee. The rest, if it is a long-term strategy, then we need to highlight those as a second phase and a third phase. We will be sharing that information with the standing committee. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. I agree with the Member that we definitely need to do more reaching out to the communities so they’re aware of the hours that they’re entitled to and that they can access some additional hours if need be. Just additional information that is required, we’ll definitely do our part to deliver those key messages. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Part of the plan is we will be acting on amending some of the policies and programs in place. There have been recommendations brought forward to our attention. My department is going through each and every recommendation on which ones should be expedited and others might take a bit longer time. We will be going through each recommendation and see which recommendations we could implement right away. We will be informing the Members as we progress. Mahsi.

Mr. Chairman, this is an area that is part of the specialized unit across the board dealing with the Aboriginal organizations. It has been established with expertise when it comes to lawyers in different areas. We do have lawyers but they are dedicated to their own respective roles as well. This is specifically in a target area. I will get my deputy to elaborate a bit more on that process. Mahsi.

Mr. Chair, this is the only unit that we have that deals with across the departmental discussion. I take the Member’s concerns and issues that are being brought forward, but this has been in the works for quite some time now and we feel that it’s needed and it’s part of our consultation process. Mahsi.