Louis Sebert

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that Bill 6, Cannabis Legalization and Regulations Implementation Act be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Again, I'm not certain whether the Member opposite is talking about the exterior fence or changes that are needed on top of the building. We are working on both of these projects. I understand that one had been completed. I'll have to get back on the Member on that.

The other one, I expect, will be completely shortly. I think we've gone out for proposals on that, but I will certainly keep the Member informed.

Yes, we recognize that the reintegration of inmates back into the communities is an important part of the corrections service, and certainly we can work with Housing. However, as you know, there is a shortage of housing in the Northwest Territories, and, while we work with inmates who are being released as they go back into the communities, we cannot guarantee that they can jump the queue, if I can put it that way. So there is a shortage of housing. We do attempt to assist them.

Yes, Mr. Speaker, the department of course recognizes that there is an over-representation of Indigenous people in our facilities, and we are working with other departments to find ways to reduce that over-representation. Now, the current committee of Cabinet structure brings together all social development Ministers and deputies to collaborate and discuss cross-departmental work to provide a collaborative approach on social issues, so we are working with other departments hopefully to reduce this rather shocking figure.

There are currently two registered psychologists at the North Slave Correctional Centre and one registered psychologist at the South Mackenzie Correctional Centre. Fort Smith Correctional Centre is currently in the staffing process for a counsellor. Now, the majority of people who are in the facilities are there for less than 90 days and many for less than 30 days. So we will make efforts to ensure that all inmates are aware of the mental health resources that are available to them. So, again, we do have, currently, registered psychologists at two of the institutions, and we are hoping to...

There are currently many interdepartmental working groups that focus on social program issues, such as the integrated case management interdepartmental working group, family violence working group, and therapeutic community steering committee, so there are interdepartmental working groups already working in this area on the federal-provincial-territorial side. We are also working nationally as the federal government rolls out its strategic action plan to reduce the over-representation of Indigenous people. So we are working both within our government and with other governments.

I understand there has been an extensive engagement with the communities with respect to these two pieces of legislation which are being updated. I don't think we were contemplating another round of engagements, but, if we are, I will certainly inform the Member opposite. Thank you.

As I mentioned, unfortunately the meeting could not take place in Tulita. It is definitely going to be put back on the list, and I will provide the Member opposite with the date once that is ascertained. I can't give him an answer with respect to the other communities, but I know we'll be going back to Tulita.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, February 28, 2018, I will move that Bill 6, Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Implementation Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 17, motions. Item 18, first reading of bills. Item 19, second reading of bills. Item 20, Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Minister's Statement 118(3), North Slave Correctional Complex Inmate Concerns; Minister's Statement 1918(3), Aurora College Foundational Review Process; Minister's Statement...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't have the details of the Sahtu bilateral before me, but I could certainly get back to the Minister with respect to that question.