R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Corrections takes an ongoing improvement approach to the programming, so there is always a thought to what is happening, what we can do better, what needs to be done. In the not-too-distant past, there has been a significant amount of work done on programs for offenders. Perhaps the deputy minister can expand. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The most recent numbers I have, which are a few years old now, it was around 60 percent of the cases involved public housing, but that is going back early in the last Assembly. I am not sure if we have more recent stats. I don't think it would be a stretch to say it's probably the majority, but I will see if the deputy minister might have some information. Thank you.

Thank you. This is where the integrated case management program is found, and what the Member is referring to, I believe, is the integrated service delivery approach, which is an approach to not just delivering services but delivering services, developing policies, developing legislation, and working together as a government as a whole for the benefit of the recipient of those services. Ideally, it should not take more money to do things in a different way if it's just a culture shift, so we do not anticipate increased costs. However, government finds a way sometimes, and so perhaps, there...

Yes. I will hand it off, but I'll just first say that there is federal money. I've been on calls with other federal, provincial, and territorial Ministers, and everyone always asks for more money. There is that lobbying going on, with an understanding that it is expensive. Access to Justice is expensive. In the Northwest Territories, we have probably the most generous legal aid system in Canada, which means it's even more expensive up here. We spend much more proportionately to what we receive from the federal government compared to other jurisdictions. I'd like to hand it to Ms. Bolstad...

Thank you. We're aiming for this summer.

Thank you. I am not sure about the historic numbers, but I think that part of the issue is the timing of legislation. We made it through the last Assembly, like it or not, with the outcome. We were able to do it, and I know that the drafters put in a lot of hours. We are hoping that, by controlling the flow of legislation a little better, we will be able to do a better job of managing their work loads. I am not sure if Ms. Bolstad has any of the history or the deputy minister. Yes, the deputy minister. Thank you.

Thank you. The Member noted a decrease of about $600,000, and that is due to the sunsetting of the victim services agreement. That is about $749,000. However, I believe we may have signed that, a new agreement -- no, we are working on negotiating a new agreement, and we are confident that it's going forward. It's just a matter of time, but it was not ready for these main estimates. That is in the works. There is limited money in Justice to move around. It is very mandated, and we require budgets for specific things such as RCMP, such as courts, and we do not really control those budgets...

Thank you. I'm not sure if we have that information. Perhaps the deputy minister can offer some information.

Thank you. Every community is different, and I think that's why we have this money distributed, because it's up to the communities to identify. Perhaps I can ask the deputy minister to provide some insight, as well.

Thank you. This has been the plan for some time, so those have been accounted for. Perhaps I can ask Ms. Bolstad. I know we had been delayed in implementing this, so I believe the funds were already in the budget. Ms. Bolstad might be able to add some more. Thank you.