Louis Sebert
Statements in Debates
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, we know it is an issue in Corrections. However, not all of those with this condition are diagnosed, and I don't think we would have an exact count as to the number of people who are suffering from FASD. The Member opposite is quite correct that often they do come into contact with the justice system, but securing a diagnosis is a complex and costly process. An FASD diagnosis is not required for an individual with complex needs to access service, so as I say, diagnosis is difficult, but we do realize this is a problem in Corrections and in society generally...
We will be introducing a bill shortly which will include updated provisions related to security. This is a shared mandate commitment to develop an integrated comprehensive approach to the management of contaminated sites and develop a sound financial security system to prevent public liabilities. Lands has been supporting EIA and ENR's work on contaminated sites, and it is contemplating a securities tracking system for the GNWT, so we are making progress, I would suggest, in this area, and we will be introducing a bill shortly.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, I have looked at some of the commentary on this very important case. As Members may know, this worked its way through the court system up to the Supreme Court of Canada and had to do with the obligations when a company goes bankrupt. In essence, they said, and I am quoting from a commentary, "After going bankrupt, an oil and gas company has to fulfill provincial environmental obligations before paying anyone it owes money to, the Supreme Court has ruled." This is an important case because it will affect all companies and also affect those that lend to...
I can certainly look into that and get back to the Member opposite. I know this is important work, and as I mentioned earlier, other jurisdictions have moved ahead, particularly in the area of third-party reporting. I think the Yukon and British Columbia, if I have that right, have moved ahead on this. I do realize it is an important issue, but I can't really give a timeline at this point. I will check with the parties involved and get back to the Member opposite.
Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Department officials and the RCMP are exploring alternative options for victims to report sexual assault, such as third-party reporting, as well as the potential for external review committees. This will require a collaborative effort between GNWT, NGOs, and the RCMP. This is an important matter, and I realize that considerable progress has been made in this area in other jurisdictions. Thank you.
This might be an issue that the transition committee might look into because I don't think anything could be done in the very near future. Certainly, I am willing to look into this issue. Again, as I have said numerous times before, increase in cost would have to go through the budgetary process, but I am willing to look seriously at this issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I guess I am part of the problem in this area because, as the Member across has mentioned, there is a problem. There were more lawyers, I think, in the smaller towns up here several years ago, active lawyers doing general practice, than there are now. Certainly, I am willing to look at this issue. Of course, adding a clinic or additional lawyers would involve additional expense, so we would have to proceed through the budgetary process. I am aware of the problem and am concerned and willing to look at it.
I can't commit to adding a second lawyer, as any additional resources would have to proceed through the budgetary process, but certainly we do want to look at the level of activity in the office. I am open to considering issues that, if the office is overworked or there is too much work, we may have to add staff. I will be open to that discussion, but again, it has to go through the budgetary process. Thank you.
There is no dedicated Facebook page at present, and, although that has been discussed by the department and communication staff, it's not an option immediately available. However, the outreach clinic will advertise on the GNWT Facebook page instead. In some ways, in my view, the best advertisement is the trips that the outreach clinic lawyer makes to the small communities, which I assume are well-advertised. We are bringing the law to the people.
When I was in Enterprise last year and in speaking to the Member for Deh Cho, I realized that this is an important issue for the Hamlet of Enterprise. We are going to be moving as quickly as we can to resolve these matters because, as I said earlier, we realize how important they are to the community.
We realize that, in smaller communities, sometimes there are issues of capacity, so we are moving ahead on a staged approach, which, in the circumstances, we would think is the best way of moving ahead. I can't give a firm date, but I do know that our staff is eager to meet with the community...