Louis Sebert

Mr. Chair, the current contract will come to an end at the end of June. We are anticipating that the new contractor, if there is a new contractor, will be up and going at that time. Thank you.

Mr. Chair, it was really a question of bringing in a very experienced warden who had experience, as I understand, it in both the Yukon and in British Columbia with the full understanding that this person would only be there temporarily to assist and mentor staff in both Fort Smith and Hay River. Thank you.

I'm just trying to remember now. There is a resident court worker in Fort Smith. There is a resident court worker in Hay River. There is a resident court worker in Fort Simpson. I think the position has just recently been filled. There are resident court workers in Yellowknife; a resident court worker in Inuvik. There may be one other that I've overlooked. So there are not court workers in every community, but there's certainly at least one court worker, I believe, in every region. Sorry, I was thinking there was one in Norman Wells, but I believe actually there's a court worker in Fort...

Perhaps Mr. Hagen might respond.

I do.

Although the number does go up and down, certainly, I have seen higher ones at other times, but I think this is more or less within the average. There is probably a range of numbers, but I don't think this is anything out of the ordinary, neither extraordinarily high nor extraordinarily low. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, Mr. Chair. I mean, the issue is before the judiciary. We are sort of looking at ways that we might make the system more efficient. There is a long tradition, going back to Justice Sissons and Moreau, of going to every community, but we here are wondering whether that is now still the most efficient system. We are optimistic that we can reduce costs. Certainly, the judiciary is aware of our concerns in this area. Obviously, we can't direct them to not go on circuit or anything like that, but they are aware of the concern. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I will keep the Member's office appraised of any developments that are under our jurisdiction. I understand also that the oil company or the transmission company, Enbridge, does as a courtesy advise us of difficulties or issues that they are facing. There has not been a cutback in the number of inspectors that Lands has. I realize of course that this is a serious issue, and I can advise that the department will be monitoring it carefully.

Mr. Chair, as I mentioned at the outset, the number of inspectors is not being cut; the money allocated for travel for inspections is being reduced. It's simply a function of the fact that there is less activity out on the land. Certainly, if that changed radically we would have to look at an increase, but we're not anticipating any drastic increase in this upcoming year, therefore we've made this projection that the money we set aside for inspections is sufficient. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Prairie Creek. The government is protected from historic liability at Canadian Zinc Prairie Creek Mine through the terms of the devolution agreement. I understand that Canadian Zinc, the proponent, has met all security requirements under its permits, licence, and authorization. The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board has set a total security amount at $17,700,000, which the company will be required to post in stages as the project proceeds. Thank you, Mr. Chair.