Caroline Wawzonek

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am hesitant to answer that. I think that may be a question that might come up as Lands comes before the committee. From the perspective of these positions, their role would be, firstly, to help determine whether or not there is an Indigenous right to a land that is being claimed or occupied, and then also to help enforce when there's a case of somebody who is unauthorized on the land. The role of these lawyers isn't primarily to be one of collection. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have some good news. That is that the majority of provisions are expected to be brought forward, or brought into force, in the fall, this fall of 2020. That would include the changes that are being made to reduce some of the fees. With respect to changes that are going to be made that will impact on smaller communities and municipalities, Madam Speaker, a working group has been formed with representatives of the small communities to ensure that they are part of the process to develop those regulations. That working group now has set dates when they will meet, and as...

Mr. Chair, no, I hear the Member's point. I hear his concerns. I would note that one of the other things that ICM does deliver is identifying barriers in the services that are provided. Certainly, I can commit to saying that as those barriers are being identified, we do now, in this Assembly, the 19th Legislative Assembly need to do a better job of ensuring that those barriers are removed. That will have benefits for our residents across the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's my understanding that that work is currently being undertaken by the executive director of OROGO and that it will be coming before committee as part of the planning process. I can see the difference in the numbers myself. I am confident that the executive director at OROGO is going to be undertaking that work if she hasn't already. It will be back before committee. If the committee would like a technical briefing before we get into business planning process, I'm more than happy to make sure that that happens. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In 2019-2020, there were 16 registrations completed and then two individuals who went through the entire curriculum. I would just want to note, Mr. Chair, that, although registrations over the last few years have formally gone down in terms of sheer numbers, the registration process has become somewhat more rigorous. If the Member is comparing year over year, there will be some significant appearance of a drop, but it's not simply a lack of uptake; it may be due to other factors. Similarly, I would note then that, as far as completions, although the ratio of individuals...

Mr. Chair, sorry, and I am sorry for the hesitancy earlier. It depends a bit on what part the Member is asking for. Training funding comes both under the contracts for the people providing it as well as travel, for example. As far as an increase this year, there is not a detailed increase. There is no specific increase. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. At this time, the Department of Justice was anticipating and is anticipating addressing unauthorized land occupancy happening in the Department of Lands, and that, to support that undertaking, the Department of Justice was estimating that they would require three additional positions. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

There have actually not been very many stock outages since January of 2019, though there was indeed some delay recently. I am told that the resupply did come in last Friday and that it is something that we are continuously monitoring. Staff from the Department of Finance are involved in ensuring that the supply is regular and, indeed, I believe met with one of the repliers just last week. It is certainly our hope that, as we continue that relationship, that there should be hopefully fewer challenges for those seeking to avail themselves.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. No. Support for victims of crime directly would be either through victim services or through, perhaps, the emergency victims of crime fund, and I think I may have the fund slightly wrong. This line item is not for that purpose. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, I'm not trying to be obstructive. I guess I just sign off on it, the same as I sign off on the rest of the budget that is before committee right now. I am here to defend it. I'm here to provide explanations of it, and I'm prepared to receive any comments or concerns that the Member has about the numbers that are before the committee right now. Thank you, Mr. Chair.