Louis Sebert

Mr. Chair, that represents an amount that is provided to us by the Government of Nunavut when we house inmates from that jurisdiction in our facilities. Perhaps there’s a reduction in crime in Nunavut. I’m not certain, but it’s dependent on the number of inmates that we house and that number has gone down. Fewer also have been sent here since the opening of a new facility in Iqaluit. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Certainly, once the evaluation is received, there may be some changing in the type of program that is required as a result of that evaluation. Obviously, it will have a northern or territorial emphasis, or emphases to it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Certainly, Mr. Chair, there are online subscription services that you can pay for. Alternatively, however, there are such programs or, not programs, but facilities such as CanLII where you can obtain fairly uptodate law free of charge.

Mr. Chair, while there may be an increase from last year, I note that it is not that different than that 2014-15 actuals of $1,302,000. I don’t have long-term what the cost has been, however. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Perhaps, Mr. Chair, Ms. Haener could answer that.

Yes, Mr. Chair. We do that. We always compare our fees not only in this department, in all departments with other jurisdictions so that we can remain competitive. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Certainly, Mr. Chair, we would be prepared to provide such an update. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

My understanding, Mr. Chair, is the vast majority of the cost is hard copies. What you find with the subscriptions is that loose-leaf service is most of them, so they have to be put in the books, but they come every quarter depending on changes in the law, and they are, I know from personal experience, incredibly expensive.

Mr. Chair, no, they do not sign a waiver. In fact the Workers’ Compensation Act does not allow such waivers. People simply cannot waive the conditions and protections that are afforded by the act. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, of course. For example, just as one change we’ve made, I designated it a couple of months ago as a facility in which women prisoners on remand could be held. This was a significant problem in Yellowknife. Perhaps Ms. Haener can expand on my answer, Mr. Chair.