Louis Sebert

That is a multipronged question that has been asked, Mr. Chair. I am going to ask Mr. Hagen to attempt to respond.

I'm sorry, Mr. Chair, I was reaching for my earphone and I missed part of the question. I wonder if it could be repeated?

I understand the manner in which these agreements are developed is that the RCMP meet with the local community. So it's not a question of us giving direction; this is an RCMP initiative. They meet with the community, develop a policing plan that's suitable for the individual community. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

As I say, the South Mackenzie Correctional Centre has been identified as a low-risk facility, and in our view, no longer appropriate for remand prisoners. Whatever the case was in the past, it is now felt that the facility which does house, as I say, low-risk prisoners is not suitable for remands. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I simply said that the tax rate was and is reasonable. It's based on a fair assessment of the property. The property is assessed and the leasing costs are then applied. As the Member opposite has noted, those who are seniors do get a discount.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am going to ask Mr. Hagen to respond to that. Thank you.

Mr. Chair, we are not anticipating any increase in costs, and we simply felt that some of the problems with the program in the past, if there were such problems, were at that level, so we thought that we could streamline the program by having those clerical type, organizational type, functions within the government and allow those that were responding to the request for proposals deliver what they do best, that is the actual program, itself. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I understand that we did not disburse any funds under this category last year. Thank you.

Due to the demands and requirements of the position, we wouldn't have the staff to provide court reporters who are often needed in the outlying communities. I think there has been a reliance on court reporters as long as I have been here. We do not have sufficient staff in-house, and therefore are relying for providers from, I think they are from Alberta. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to think that the government has been a good steward of the monies we have received. As I mentioned at the outset and has been repeated several times, this is a very new department and, as we move forward, inevitably there were costs in combining to two corporate cultures that existed previously. Thank you, Mr. Chair.