Louis Sebert

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, 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...

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.

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.

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, perhaps the deputy minister could be of assistance. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, they are employees of the Government of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, the government is, of course, committed to filling the prior commitments developed in our mandate and is currently reviewing the feasibility of various options for establishing the office of the ombudsman. There are many different examples, and I know that in the last Assembly there was a good deal of time spent on this, and it may have been that there had even been some drafting. The department is developing a work plan which will establish timelines and deliverables relating this aspect of the mandate.

Now, the legislation, to a large extent, will be determined by our discussions...

Mr. Chair, I imagine we would hear from HR with respect to that. However, it's often difficult to staff these positions, so we may have to look further afield than a very narrow radius. Thank you, Mr. Chair.