Louis Sebert

I'm hoping, Mr. Speaker, that a tender can go out shortly. Again, I will provide information as I receive it.

Mr. Speaker, really there are two fences that we're talking about. There are the improvements that are needed as a result of the critical incident of August 2016, and a budget was approved for this work, but the bids came in a lot more than expected.

With respect to the perimeter fence, the tenders closed on August 29, 2017. I'm not sure whether the contract has been formally awarded yet, but I can find that information out and provide that to the Member opposite. Thank you

I think or I detect that behind this question is a concern that has been expressed with respect to some former governments, perhaps federal ones, that muzzled scientists. I can assure you that that will not happen with this government.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government did not consult with Indigenous organizations with respect to this policy. The policy creates the authority for the government to establish its own internal procedures to meet the requirements of the current legislative environment. Now, of course, ultimately when decisions are made we must and do follow and abide by our responsibility as under section 35 of the Constitution. Thank you.

I understand that the last time that the remand centre was used in Hay River was 2005. Inmates on remand are considered high-risk, and for that reason they have to be housed in a medium- or maximum-security facility, and currently the facility in Hay River is minimum-security. Housing remand inmates in that facility would hinder the operations, simply because the facility, as I mentioned, is minimum-security, not medium or maximum, which is required.

I do know that there is a lot of traffic of prisoners back and forth to court, and that can add some additional expenses. I am hoping that members...

The department and the RCMP have formed a committee to review current practices and recommend the most effective model for providing prisoner security. Currently we are looking at the situation in Yellowknife, and this would appear to make sense in many ways.

I know that, in Nunavut, I think exclusively in Iqaluit, the sheriffs have taken over duties that were formerly conducted by the RCMP. We will be looking at this, initially for the Yellowknife courthouse, but perhaps, after that, looking at other communities where this might also create efficiencies.

Of course, the RCMP is a federal agency and have their own procurement rules, but I am happy to have our department working with the RCMP to see if efficiencies and cost savings can be found.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The department is working closely with "G" Division to develop a business case to support additional policing resources in the community and is working its way through the GNWT planning process for 2018-2019. We have heard not only from the Member opposite but from the RCMP about this request, which does seem reasonable. Thank you.

I am very pleased to provide that update. Since January 1st, the RCMP members have spent 15 nights in the community, including four nights for the Tsiigehtchic Jamboree in March, participation in providing support for the Arctic Red River youth canoe trip in June, and participation in August with Canoe Days. I understand that, as of September 13th, the RCMP has conducted 15 overnight patrols and 36 day patrols to the community; compared, of course, to no overnight patrols in 2016, when they did not have a residence to stay in.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. To my left, Emily Ingarfield, manager of policy, and to my right, Mike Reddy, director of legislation. Thank you.