Louis Sebert

Mr. Chair, of course, court schedules and everything are far beyond our control; that’s up to the judiciary. I know that the judiciary is very aware of the issue of people on remand; it’s an issue everywhere. As I say, we have the best or one of the best records of getting people to court so that they will spend the shortest period of time on remand. It’s an issue the judiciary and we are alive to, and I think we are doing far better than most jurisdictions. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, Mr. Chair. This had to do with the prosecution of criminal matters in which witnesses were required. I understand this is now a federal responsibility, as is the conduct of prosecutions generally. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, the program is at a sunset phase, if I can put it that way, at this current time. Certainly it could be considered, or some program like this could be considered, in the next business program. Thank you.

Mr. Chair, I do know that large law firms are certainly getting rid of their collections. When I started in this business many years ago as a lowly articling student in Toronto, one of the assets of every firm was seen to be their library. They don’t have libraries anymore simply because they’re not needed. I don’t know the exact expenditures in other provincial jurisdictions, but I imagine they are likely for the same reasons reducing their expenditures in this area. They would be in the same position in that they have asked majority of users now would be online, and it’s very hard to justify...

As I mentioned earlier, Mr. Speaker, we are working on this and we would hope to have such a plan by the end of the year.

Yes. Mr. Chair, there are probation officer positions affected. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, Mr. Chair, I can share that information. There currently 100 people on remand. That’s composed of 89 at NSCC, seven at the Fort Smith correctional centre for women, and four at the correctional centre for men in Fort Smith. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, it’s slightly different in that these federal inmates are very likely people that have lived here and under arrangements between the federal government and the territorial government certain inmates who are doing federal time are allowed to remain in the Northwest Territories. I think that is what that figure represents. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I wonder if I could have Ms. Haener assist in responding to this question. Thank you.

Mr. Chair, clearly, if this reduction proceeds, there will not be the same availability of material at the central library in Yellowknife. However, we do feel in view of the very, very reduced usage that that is not that big a loss, if I can put it that way, because most lawyers can simply find this information online, whether it’s through a paid organization such as Westlaw, or CanLII where it’s provided free of charge. We have found in view of the usage, which I’ve referred to several times, that this is just too great an expense to justify, continuing with the library. Thank you.