Louis Sebert

Mr. Speaker, I don’t like to make commitments for other Ministers, SDLs would be handled by the Department of ITI and perhaps the question could be more appropriately addressed to that Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I wonder if I could have you ask the deputy minister to respond to that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, I think we are aware of the complexity of this issue. Certainly the Member has raised an interesting and complicating point, which we are aware of. I think the best that I can say now is that we are aware of this issue and it may be that in the future we have to make changes in the training of people that are working in the Sheriff's office, and we may also need some legislation. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, I can do that, Mr. Chair. The reduction in position is a result of the planned changes of the situation with respect the Legal Aid Clinic in Inuvik. One of the positions that will be removed to Yellowknife, and I think the person involved is already contemplating that move or has made that move, is the lawyer's position. The lawyer's assistant apparently has already found other employment in the Inuvik region. So this is a significant change in the Delta Legal Aid Clinic. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, Mr. Chair, I understand that one of the positions of document examiner has been eliminated. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize educator Jane Dragon of Fort Smith. Thank you.

Mr. Chair, he doesn't serve at the pleasure of the Minister. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, Mr. Chair, we are looking at options. The model that has been our model here for many years may not be sustainable. We are aware of the issue and we are in discussions or we will have discussions with the RCMP as to next steps. I'm not certain whether changes in legislation would be required. I realize there are other jurisdictions, including the one to our south, Alberta, where the Sheriff's Office does provide many of these services.

It would involve a considerable change, and necessitated change, in the training and support we do provide to the Sheriff's Office and may also require a...

Mr, Chair, when the competition goes out, then it would be known as to whether we are restricting the radius or not. Clearly, there's considerations that will go into the nature of the ad that goes out that will be mainly driven by the people actually hiring the person. So it would be known at that point as to the radius, if any, if there's a restriction on the radius. However, I can't really commit to anything along those lines at this juncture. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, after the caucus meeting and the summer is over there could be a meeting between -- another meeting of Caucus to discuss just those next steps. Thank you, Mr. Chair.