Jackson Lafferty

That would be one of the plans we’ll be working on to expedite the process. There are a number of students who are taking this particular program and we definitely want them to come back to the Northwest Territories to do their practicum. That will be our goal.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to return to item 5 on the orders of the day, please.

---Unanimous consent granted

I can’t really give an exact time right now. The discussion just started with the college. That is my understanding. There are talks about the modification of the program for future usage, such as those teachers in training having their practicum in the Northwest Territories. Those are areas we need to work on and we’ll be working closely with the DEAs in the regions, the college and my Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

We are very proud of the programs that we have with respect to the on-the-land programs that the Member is referring to. One of the programs is also in the Sahtu region and it has been very, very successful. We want to continue with that. Not only that but within corrections across the Northwest Territories we do have those programs. I agree that we need to strengthen that. We need to build on it. That’s one of our goals, is to rehabilitate those individuals. Obviously, we don’t want to see them back in the system, but it’s out of our control. That’s our goal as the Department of Justice and I...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to also recognize Sarah Jerome, NWT Official Languages Commissioner; also David Reid, NWTTA president.

As I stated, those are the detailed information that I need to get back to the Member on. I don’t have the information with me right now, but I am making a commitment to get back to the Member on those numbers that have been requested.

Mr. Speaker, again, these are the programs that we offer. We made some changes and we will make some changes again if the need arises, dealing with reintegration back to the community or rehabilitation. This is the main focus that we have in the system. We’re also, within the community of justice and also the RCMP ‘G’ Division, the focus is on preventative measures as well. Those are the areas that we continue to work with within our department and other partners that are involved. Yes, those are the areas that we need to closer monitor, Mr. Speaker, and change is always in the system with the...

Mr. Speaker, these individuals that the Member is referring to, they are in a system where they may be released earlier than expected. It is at the discretion of the judge. They make the final decision.

The programs are in place within corrections and outside of corrections. It’s interdepartmental. It’s not just our Justice department. We work with the RCMP ‘G’ Division with respect to awareness programs, information being sent out that these individuals are out there. They do what they can. We work closely with the RCMP ‘G’ Division, the Justice department, and we will continue to do so. We...

I agree with the Member. It is across the board in the Northwest Territories, not just in Nahendeh. It is in Beaufort-Delta and other places. This is an area that has been brought to our attention and we are working within our department and the DECs and DEAs.

Obviously there is a solution we need to find within the system. This is an area we need to work closely with the district education authority on. We allocate funding based on the operations and maintenance of the school board and they work closely with the students and the parents in identifying where issues arise. We need to find out the situation that the Member is referring to. What is the real issue? Why aren’t the students in their residence? I’m sure there’s a reason. We need to find that reason. As the Member alluded, there’s a solution to this, so let’s work on that.