Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, I will commit to visiting the community of Tsiigehtchic and the surrounding communities. I did receive a letter from the Member and I am looking forward to that. At this time, my department will be working with the Member to specify a date and time. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, we are open for discussion on solutions because we, as a department, are always looking for solutions at a community level. We, as a department, will be working with the community on trying to find a solution for space in the community. So we are open for discussions in that area. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the plan I am referring to comes out of the Fort McPherson detachment where we do have a presence in the community. The plan is to have monthly visits. Right now as it stands, there have been 21 patrols from July through November of this and they will continue. We will continue to have an officer presence in those communities that don’t have a detachment and with other communities as well that don’t have detachments. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the NGOs at the community level have been stressing for office space in Simpson, but at the same time the new building that’s coming up to be opened early in the new year will be for the Education department. We are willing to work with the community in that area to that respect, but at the same time the community needs to take on that initiative, as well. We did have the consultation with the community late last year and those options were given out at that time, and certainly there can be more ongoing discussion on this particular topic. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, we will provide the Member with information on stats pertaining to pepper spray and also the taser. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are aware that there’s national events that are happening with regards to the taser gun. But with our jurisdiction in the Northwest Territories, we’re quite small and quite low with the incidents to that matter. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we will be reviewing the document that will be produced and the consultation with the Members around the table, and then proceed forward because we have to consider also priorities and planning, the strategic plan for the next four years. So we have to take that into consideration, as well. So we will be reviewing the document that will be presented to us and then at that time we will have a clear direction. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, I appreciate the Minister’s question in this area because it is a growing concern in the communities. We are serving 33 communities and there is currently a review that is taking place at this time. We have initiated community consultation with the regional representatives, LHOs at the community level, and right now they’re touring the South Slave area the 26th and 27th of this month. So that will wrap up our discussion with the communities and the committee will be meeting early in December and discuss those issues and concerns and come out with a...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Member’s persistence in this specific area. With respect to Sachs Harbour, the existing detachment that we are currently working on needs to be replaced, but the plan is to have a fully operational detachment by the spring of 2008. That’s what I can provide to the Member at this time. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, this initiative and the review process all fits in with the policies and planning that we are currently discussing. That document will be produced and this will be part of the ongoing discussion as a priority for the 16th Assembly. Mahsi.