Debates of February 25, 2005 (day 44)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Justice and it’s in regard to the $1.4 million in additional funding for 10 new RCMP officer positions in the Northwest Territories. Can the Minister say for me today where exactly these new positions are located? I know in Minister Roland’s budget address it outlined four different communities. Maybe the Minister has a breakdown for us where these positions are located. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 486-15(3): Additional Policing Resources

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The positions on the highway patrol unit are two for Hay River and one for Yellowknife. The other positions, as I understand it, there would be about six positions that would go between Rae and Yellowknife and some other communities. But I believe the Member is most interested in the highway positions. I’d just like to make sure that the Member knows that the RCMP officers who would be dedicated to highway patrols would also have cross-training and specific training in drug interdiction. So there is training that is provided to highway patrol officers to ensure that they are able to work on the highway system to watch for drugs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 486-15(3): Additional Policing Resources

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess the deficit that I last heard was that we needed 26 new RCMP officers in the territory. This funding only addresses 10 of them. I know drugs are a huge issue here in the Northwest Territories. What are the Minister and this government going to do to try to secure additional funding so that we can fill the other 16 positions by this time next year? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 486-15(3): Additional Policing Resources

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In fact, with the positions that we have in this year’s budget and what was in last year’s budget, we are only going to be six positions short of what the RCMP asked for. I told the standing committee, when I appeared in front of them, that it was my intention to put the request forward as part of the business plan for next year, to follow through on delivering those RCMP officers in the next budget. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 486-15(3): Additional Policing Resources

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Has the Minister given any thought to maybe requesting of the RCMP to develop some type of drug taskforce here in the Northwest Territories to try to curb the amount of drugs that are coming into our territory? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 486-15(3): Additional Policing Resources

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When I meet with the RCMP, drugs are certainly an issue that we talk about. I think it’s important to remember that there is a section in the RCMP that deals with drug trafficking and they are federally-funded positions. I have been working with Chief Superintendent Summerfield to pressure the federal government to make sure that all of those positions are filled and active in the Northwest Territories, and I will continue to make the point with the RCMP that we do need to be very vigilant on drugs. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 486-15(3): Additional Policing Resources

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted the Minister to confirm for me that there are indeed two new positions going into Hay River. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 486-15(3): Additional Policing Resources

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As recently as last week I had that confirmed to me by the RCMP from headquarters here. So as far as I know, it may have changed in the last week, but I doubt it. I believe that the traffic unit will be increased by two officers based in Hay River. Thank you.