Louis Sebert

Mr. Chair, I am not certain that we drill down to that level of numbers in dealing with the RCMP. To a large extent, we rely on their good sense in allocating funds. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Is the Member talking about the $1,000 item?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This information is publicly available. We simply feel that a formal registry would be overly cumbersome.

Yes. Last year at this point, Mr. Chair, of course, we were working on our mandate, and we made a commitment to develop legislation within two years to establish the independent Office of the Ombudsman. The Department of the Executive actually is developing a legislative proposal for spring, late spring, perhaps early summer 2017. Again, there was a series of issues that had to be determined, the scope of it, whether the Ombudsman could initiate investigations on his own, so those issues are being examined. A legislative proposal will come forward by the early summer. Thank you.

Mr. Chair, we are always working with the RCMP to provide better service. It may be that the nature of the complaints is different. Perhaps the complaints in one community were very serious, and the ones in the other community were less serious. I do know that the number of patrols to the smaller communities is determined not necessarily by the size of the community but probably the number and nature of the complaints. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I can add to that by saying that the facility in Nunavut was in rather shocking condition, as I understand it, so it was absolutely necessary that they send inmates out. I understand also from the note I have been given that the Government of Nunavut has signed an agreement with Ontario which has provided the means to transfer additional offenders south versus west to the GNWT. I imagine it is an issue of accessibility. It is easier to get from Nunavut -- less expensive, maybe, from Nunavut to facilities in Ontario than it is in Yellowknife. This is likely an amount that will continue to...

Yes. Information regarding Cabinet's meetings with those in the industry, of course, can be known. We simply do not feel it is necessary, at this time, to have a public registry that would doubtless involve some costs, and may actually involve hiring someone to run or take care of the registry. We simply don't feel that it is necessary. We think we are providing the type of information that is required to the public.

I could perhaps add to that, just to say that, should we be in that position, if there is such an overwhelming amount of legislation that is being produced by this House, there is also the possibility of contracting additional people. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I do not think we have that information in front of us. We can ask the RCMP. I do not think they will give us the dates or anything, because that might indicate a pattern which probably would not be the best thing to have. I can undertake to request that information of the RCMP. Thank you.

Certainly, we agree with the comments. I do know that, perhaps, there are several universities down south that have a long-term history of being particularly accommodating for Aboriginal students. A Member mentioned the University of Alberta. The University of Saskatchewan has had a program for many years that enables students to be fast-tracked into the law school, either their law school or other law schools, but yes, we probably could and should do better. I am willing to work with the Department of Education to provide more of an outreach and, perhaps, an encouragement to students who are...