Louis Sebert

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.

Yes, Mr. Speaker. Of course, this is one of the topics that’s going to be on our agenda for the summer caucus. We are doing research in this area and we’ll hopefully be presenting some options to caucus when we meet in the summer.

Mr. Chair, I understand there has been some catching up, but perhaps Ms. Schofield could assist in giving more detail. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, perhaps Ms. Haener could expand on her last answer.