Debates of May 31, 2004 (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to provide an update to Members of the Legislative Assembly on the Department of Justice’s work to implement the Protection Against Family Violence Act.

This act, passed during the 14th Legislative Assembly, provides for 24-hour access to emergency protection orders when there is an act, or threat of family violence. It also provides victims of family violence with long-term protection orders.

Anyone who has lived, or is living, in a family or intimate relationship with the accused will be able to apply for protection under this act. For example, this could include a spouse, former spouse, parent, grandparent or someone who has had a child with the offender.

I am committed to making the protections under this act available as quickly as possible and plan to have the act in force in early 2005. The Department of Justice is in the final stage of hiring a coordinator who will be dedicated to implementing this act.

The coordinator will work with an advisory committee formed by the department to assist with the implementation. This committee includes the RCMP, YWCA, the Department of Health and Social Services, the Native Women’s Association and the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority.

Over the next six months, the Department of Justice will develop training material and assist in training members of the RCMP, justices of the peace, courts staff and other frontline service providers. The Department of Justice will also provide public education material and develop a system for monitoring and evaluating the Protection Against Family Violence Act.

This is an important piece of legislation that the Department of Justice wants to implement as quickly as possible. However, it must be done properly so that a system is in place to ensure these protections are available to all residents. This work is underway and I look forward to a timely and effective implementation of the Protection Against Family Violence Act.

---Applause