Thebacha

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 24)

Mr. Chair, that is yet to be determined. We will be seeking the right kind of individual for the position, and we're not certain as to who will apply. Obviously, if it's a new person, there'll be training required. Should know, Mr. Chair, that there's always ongoing training for court workers, so that would clearly be part of -- whether it's somebody who's already in the system or somebody new. There will be training if it is someone new, but there's always ongoing training for all court workers in any case. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 24)

Mr. Chair, of course, as all Members will know, the position of the ombudsman is one of the matters that we're going to be discussing at the summer caucus. So I expect that, after those discussions, we'll have a better idea about how this legislation would proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 24)

Mr. Chair, if I could go through the list in some detail, if we could look first at the Community Legal Aid Clinic, the variance is due to a transfer of a new phone system to TSC, budget and reductions and savings from a new VoiceoverInternetProtocol system, so it's a technical improvement that leads to the saving.

With respect to court workers, the Main Estimates of $1,084,000, the variance is due to the elimination of the court worker position in Fort McPherson, which had not been filled for some time. Legal aid commission, again its improvement, it's technology, it appears; variance is due...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 24)

Mr. Chair, I am given to understand that it is not. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 24)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That very important position will be filled. We don't have an exact date on that, but it will be in the near future. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 24)

I understand that Public Safety Canada is doing a review of the First Nations Policing Program and that they will be coming north for a conference, I'm told, in September. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 24)

Mr. Chair, I think we could, obviously, provide statistical information. Obviously, we can't provide the names of clients, of course. Statistical information should be easily obtained and could be provided. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 24)

I'm not certain that we could share that very easily. I think we would need the consent of the Law Society perhaps and the judiciary also. We could approach them, but I'm not certain what their response could be. So there's parties beyond us that would have to agree to release the report. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 24)

Yes, Mr. Chair, those elements of the collection that are deemed to be of historical value would be identified and retained with the department's legal division or considered for transfer to the archives or the Legislative Assembly Library. The remaining collection would be offered for donation to other NWT libraries or disposed of by gift to law firms or possibly by destruction. It is expected the bulk of the collection will likely be offered to the resident lawyers on a first come first served basis. I understand that is what took place when the library was downsized to its current size, Mr...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 24)

Mr. Chair, the provision of adequate policing services to all of our communities remains a priority for the Department of Justice and the GNWT, as well as the RCMP. So Justice continues to work with the RCMP to address the concerns of the smaller communities. The RCMP aims to improve services to Tsiigehtchic by increasing the number and length of patrols to the community. In 2015, Fort McPherson RCMP conducted 80 patrols to the community. Currently the NWT Housing Corp. is in the process of installing a two-bed portable unit, and that will allow the RCMP to use it for overnight accommodations...