Julie Green

I wonder if the Minister could tell us when these improvements that were part of the RFP will be completed, when the inmates will be able to use that larger yard again.

Masi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Justice. During the last Capital Estimates, Members approved funds for an enhanced perimeter fence and security upgrades for the North Slave Correctional Centre. I'd like to know whether the work on this fence has been completed. Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this week is Literacy Week here in the Northwest Territories. While most of us think first about reading, the NWT Literacy Council is exploring a different dimension of literacy.

The theme for this year's annual event is Physical Literacy Life in Motion. Physical literacy is a new term that encompasses the basic knowledge, skills, and motivation we all need to be physically active for life. We can look at physical literacy in a variety of ways. Each of us needs to know our body and its needs so that we can keep that body working for a long time, get things done...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the answer. The money ultimately has to come from somewhere, and as the deputy minister has already pointed out, there is a significant underfunding of the communities, which has been quantified and it is well understood. In addition to the strategy being developed and produced this fall, when might we see the investment to close that gap? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am not sure what strategy the Minister has in mind here, but the Office of the Auditor General was clear that the firefighting capacity in the communities was inadequate. At what point will investments be made in improving firefighting, that is to say residential or commercial firefighting, in the communities? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the Office of the Auditor General reviewed the MACA operations and released a report earlier this year, and there were some recommendations that seemed to indicate increased investment, especially in fire safety. Could the Minister tell us whether there are any investments in this capital plan that address the recommendations in that report and, if not, when we are going to see them? Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and my thanks to the Minister. Are we looking at spending more money than we approved in the last Capital Estimates in order to upgrade this perimeter fence? Mahsi.

I appreciate the Minister providing that information at his convenience. It's my understanding from a constituent who is at the jail often as a volunteer that the inmates aren't using the bigger fenced yard where the cultural program is available. Is that because of this fencing issue?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the nursing and social work students who are from Yellowknife Centre, including Cindy Villeneuve, Diana Lubansa, Jonah Gordon, Megan McDougall, Rick Miller, Shelby Clarke, Shelley Hessdorfer, Toby Siziba, and Vivian Nyika. I would like to welcome them to the House. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it was my intention to table the letter that the Minister just tabled. Mahsi.