Debates of November 28, 2007 (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, without sufficient resources and crime fighting laws such as the SCAN legislation, we will continue to have problems with drugs and alcohol in our community. Mr. Speaker, my question will be to the Premier of this House to answer this, but the fact is SCAN legislation won’t be the end all. I realize it’s part of the puzzle; that we will require good education, poverty plays a role as well as treatment options. So my question to the Premier in regards to SCAN is, will he commit to having the SCAN legislation reintroduced into this House so we can have good public consultation about this law? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 33-16(1): Safer Communities And Neighbourhoods Act

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the area of SCAN legislation had much debate and I believe Members of the past Assembly agreed in principle with that piece of work. One of the things we have to do, as the 16th Assembly, is highlight our priorities and we’d be prepared to work along with the Members if that’s the wish and the will of this House. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 33-16(1): Safer Communities And Neighbourhoods Act

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said earlier, there are many pieces to the puzzle and I pointed out quickly that human resources continue to be a problem. Has there been any further requests from the RCMP to help fulfill the demand of human resources in the fact that the SCAN legislation hasn’t been reintroduced and we’re not sure when it may come? So have there been any requests for further resources of that regard in anticipation of the potential new law? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 33-16(1): Safer Communities And Neighbourhoods Act

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the relationship we have with the RCMP in the Northwest Territories is one when you talk about members and the number of members in communities is set up through a contract arrangement with the RCMP and that would be upon a renewal basis. I’m not sure of the actual number of years. I’m not aware, as a result of that legislation not moving forward, if there has been an additional request. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 33-16(1): Safer Communities And Neighbourhoods Act

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I pointed out many times over the last Assembly and I will probably this Assembly, that alcohol and drugs continue to be a problem and the downtown continues to have many of these problems and highlighted is the fact that without the SCAN we don’t get the support without the human resources. What can the Minister do today to ensure that we are getting proper staffing levels with our local RCMP to make sure that we have the proper tools accessible in this community to help fight those problems? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 33-16(1): Safer Communities And Neighbourhoods Act

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that question, I don’t have that detail; I’ll have to work with the Minister of Justice in that area to see where things are, if there have been additional requests. Again, I point out that our arrangement with the RCMP is one through a contract that sets up the number of officers that are required. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 33-16(1): Safer Communities And Neighbourhoods Act

Well, Mr. Speaker, just in short, my community area feels that resources are lacking and they’re not blaming the RCMP, they’re blaming the support mechanisms. Would the Premier take the initiative on to communicate with the RCMP to make sure -- not just in Yellowknife we don’t have enough human resources -- that we’re being staffed properly throughout the Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 33-16(1): Safer Communities And Neighbourhoods Act

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will pass that on to the Minister of Justice for that work to be done. Thank you.