Louis Sebert

Mr. Chair, we're not really anticipating any changes, in the sense of overall demand increasing, because the number of lawyers providing assistance in family law cases will not be reduced. In any case, as I mentioned earlier, it was always necessary for the "other side," if I can put it that way, one of the two sides in matrimonial disputes, to obtain legal help, either through the clinic or from lawyers in Yellowknife. I don't think that, as far as getting hold of a lawyer, there should be any increased difficulty with this change we're contemplating. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, Mr. Chair, I'm told that it's in the community justice budget. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, once we decided that it was advisable to close the current facility, we're looking at, of course, a resource centre as part of our legal outreach. There's many issues that have to be determined; the type of centre that would be, where it would be located, and so on. We will of course consult with those parties when we are deciding what kind of facility would be most suitable. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, I'm not aware in any change of activity, and if there is a change of activity, it hasn't been brought forward to us. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, of course the lawyers who are going up there, providing criminal law assistance, will generally travel there either the day before or the day of court. And also, too, we've enhanced, over the last few years, the outreach services. The lawyer that provides that service will often go up, well, does go up to communities. Individuals up there, in Inuvik and that area, will be able to avail themselves of that service. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I understand that the program came to an end and we weren't in a position at this time to renegotiate this funding. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Kim Schofield to my left, director of finance; Sylvia Haener, deputy minister, to my right.

Mr. Chair, I understand that ITI was not able to keep that money. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, just some history on the clinic up there: At one point, 10 or 15 years ago, there was resident lawyers in private practice, the Federal Crown Attorney's Office was located there, and there was a resident judge, and there was a legal aid clinic with, I think, two or three lawyers. Things changed over time. There's no longer a resident judge. The federal Crown Attorney's Office closed, I think, five or six years ago, and we were left with the legal aid clinic, but we were only providing family law services.

Now, those services will still be provided out of Yellowknife. So these changes...

Mr. Chair, the department is always alive to this concern. We certainly don't see that position as having any effect on access to justice. Thank you, Mr. Chair.