Wendy Bisaro

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My apologies for missing the page earlier, but I’d like to ask the same question I asked earlier with regard to the planning study for owned versus leased office space in Yellowknife. I do agree that the study needs to be done. My question basically has to do with why this particular expense is so urgent that it needs to be included in a supplementary appropriation, why it can’t wait until our next infrastructure budget. Thank you.

I would just like to follow up. I appreciate that this is something we have to do in conjunction with the federal government, that we do need their funding but I guess I would suggest that there ought to be a target date for various communities that don’t currently have RCMP and we may not meet those targets, they may have to be amended but my personal view would be that we should have the communities listed and a target date for RCMP within those communities and that is what we are aiming for, so I would encourage the Minister to do that. Thank you. That’s all.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I did have a question here. I just have to find it. Sorry; I can’t find my question, that’s okay.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I mentioned in my general remarks that I was looking for some information that the schedule the department has to increase RCMP in the communities with, currently don’t have a police presence. I think some of it goes to special constables or community constables. So if the Minister could cover both of those areas in his response, that would be helpful. Thank you.

I have to thank the Minister for that information. The first time around, I didn’t hear anything about a facilitator, and that changes hugely my vision of what’s going to happen in these stakeholder meetings. That a facilitator will present the information will have a much different impact on the people that are there, and I think it will allow them to provide the kind of input that Members and, I think, the public are looking for.

The other thing that’s noted, in terms of consultation, is a discussion paper. I’d like to ask the Minister how the department intends to generate input through this...

Just a follow-up question. Is return of service agreements one of the areas that is being considered? I gather it works reasonably well within the Department of Health and Social Services. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask a few more questions of the Minister of Health and Social Services with regard to her and the department’s plans for Supplementary Health Benefit Program changes. The information that’s on the Health website talks about town hall meetings being scheduled and a discussion paper that is going to be released. I’m not sure if it’s been released or not yet; I haven’t had enough time since I’ve been back. With regard to the town hall meetings, there are five or six scheduled, I think. I would like to ask the Minister what format is planned for these meetings...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. There is an increase of five positions in the North slave region. Could I know where those happened, please? Thank you.

I think the important thing to note in the Minister’s answer is she said that’s what they started to do since last Thursday and Friday. The working group was established before Christmas and my understanding was they were supposed to help to develop what the department seems to have determined a draft plan. It seems they have a plan which they’ve put out and they are looking for consultation on, a plan which apparently would charge a fee. I just have to take exception with the fact that the working group was not involved in the drafting of that plan. I guess I ‘d like to ask the Minister why...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just have a few general comments in regard to the budget for Justice. Initially, I believe that the position of the chief coroner is being reinstated to a government position and I do support that. I think that’s a good move.

Also a good move I think is the emphasis on increased policing. We’ve added some members and a detachment in this last year, and I will have some questions as to the timing of the planned rollout of other detachments as we go forward when we get to that section.

I also note that there’s an increase in legal aid services with the establishment of, I...