Louis Sebert

All communities do have, of course, policing priorities and action plans with the RCMP; however, specifically dealing with the protocol, the protocol establishes in writing a trusting and reciprocal relationship between the IRC and the RCMP. These relationships of course already exist; however, the signing of the agreement helps to support the relationships that currently exist and hopefully build on them.

Yes, Mr. Speaker. I think we were all encouraged to hear about the protocol referred to by the Member opposite between the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the RCMP. I can advise that in 2013 there was an agreement signed between the RCMP and the Dene Nation; a public safety protocol was signed. So hopefully these two types of protocols and agreements can be a template for other organizations and regions. Thank you.

Hopefully not.

Mr. Speaker, I can advise that, in the Deh Cho, a draft Deh Cho land use plan has been developed through the Deh Cho process. There are some remaining issues to be resolved, and the plan would then need to be approved by the parties involved, the Government of the Northwest Territories, Canada, and the Deh Cho. In all other areas, we are assisting Aboriginal governments in building capacity, and hopefully that will lead to resolution of these issues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

In addition to what I've already mentioned with the police reviewing all of these cases, it has been decided that new policies are required so that if a file is found to be unfounded by the investigator all of those files will now be reviewed by a senior officer. So the police are doing something. In addition, they are increasing their training in this area to further sensitize investigators to this issue.

Yes, Mr. Speaker. I had the opportunity to read the excellent story in The Globe and Mail several weeks ago. The Globe gathered its analysis from 870 police jurisdictions and found there was a very large number of claims that were dismissed as unfounded across the country. It was between the various numbers, but generally it was between one and five, or 20 per cent of claims had been dismissed as unfounded. It has been found also, and I read this in the story, that looking at independent research from around the world only 2 to 8 per cent of these claims are actually false.

It was also...

In those areas where there are settled land claims, of course there are land claims agreements that are part of that process. In those areas where there are no settlements, of course we are working with all groups, in particular Aboriginal groups, to achieve that result.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As you heard from the honourable Premier, we are making progress in all land claims agreements and, of course, that will inevitably involve land use agreements in those areas. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Inuvialuit, Sahtu, and Gwich'in are close. Mr. Speaker, I could perhaps look into this more carefully and give the Member opposite a more detailed answer if I'm given that opportunity.

Yes, of course. As the Member has pointed out, they are separate. We are working with various Aboriginal groups and other stakeholders on these agreements.