Louis Sebert

Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since the incident of August 2016, once we recognized that there were some improvements that needed to be conducted at the facility, early attempts were not as successful, as the bids came in at way above what we were expecting. However, we are still working on this, and hopefully this situation will be resolved in the near future. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Legalization of cannabis was, of course, announced by the federal government approximately one year ago, so we had a very limited time to meet the target date of July 2018. Staff visited nine communities; Fort Simpson, Fort Liard, Inuvik, Tsiigehtchic, Norman Wells, Yellowknife, Fort Smith, Hay River, and Behchoko. We simply didn't have the opportunity or time to visit all 33 communities.

In addition to that, there was an online survey that was open to all residents. As I mentioned, public hearings were held in seven regional centres, including Inuvik, and two smaller...

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.

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.

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.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There had been information sessions which have already taken place in Fort Providence on the 19th of February and in Fort Good Hope on February 20th. A meeting was scheduled to be held in Tulita on February 22nd but was cancelled due to a weather advisory. That meeting will be rescheduled as soon as possible. I'm not sure if the department is planning on visiting other communities, but I can certainly take that up with the department and get back to the Member opposite.

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.