Debates of November 28, 2007 (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Justice with regard to the community of Tsiigehtchic. As we all know, Tsiigehtchic doesn’t have a police presence there. As I mentioned earlier with the Minister of Health, the medical emergency they had in the community again, without having the key positions in place such as the nurse, police and whatnot, the community has to bear the stress of finding ways of dealing with these emergencies. I would like to ask the Minister of Justice what are we doing to put policing in communities such as Tsiigehtchic in light of what was announced today with regard to…(inaudible)…

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Lafferty.

Return To Question 47-16(1): RCMP Detachment In Mackenzie Delta

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the question on the police presence in Tsiigehtchic has an ongoing schedule planned for community visits. There are visits from the RCMP to communities. Like any other community, the communities that don’t have detachments, there are scheduled visits from our regional headquarters. So there are plans in place to continue that until such time as…The plan is to have a detachment in all communities. That’s one of the territorial goals of this territorial government and that’s a long-term plan as well. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Supplementary To Question 47-16(1): RCMP Detachment In Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister has stated there is a plan in place to look at communities that do not have policing. I would just like to ask the Minister who is overseeing that plan and what is the process to allow communities that don’t have policing to be involved in that dialogue or discussion so they can have input in finding a solution.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Lafferty.

Further Return To Question 47-16(1): RCMP Detachment In Mackenzie Delta

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the plan I am referring to comes out of the Fort McPherson detachment where we do have a presence in the community. The plan is to have monthly visits. Right now as it stands, there have been 21 patrols from July through November of this and they will continue. We will continue to have an officer presence in those communities that don’t have a detachment and with other communities as well that don’t have detachments. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Supplementary To Question 47-16(1): RCMP Detachment In Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again I would like to thank the Minister for that. Again, the stress is on the Fort McPherson detachment. I believe they have been understaffed for the last couple of years. They have been short of officers and also with regard to recruitment and retention. I would like to ask the Minister is there any way of increasing the amount of individuals in the Fort McPherson detachment so you can have an officer designated to serve the community of Tsiigehtchic, which is only half an hour down the road, so they can be there three times a week or twice a week, whatever, so at least they can make an ongoing presence than simply 21 days in a matter of four months?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Lafferty.

Further Return To Question 47-16(1): RCMP Detachment In Mackenzie Delta

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this has been an ongoing discussion and negotiation with our counterparts, the federal government. We do have an agreement in place to share the cost, so we will continue to negotiate with the federal government. At the same time, we are hoping there will be some good news out of the federal government soon enough to deal with the community policing presence and also having more detachments in the communities that don’t have any right now. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Supplementary To Question 47-16(1): RCMP Detachment In Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to get a commitment from the Minister today to consider going into the community of Tsiigehtchic with myself and talk about the policing problem that we have. I know a letter has been sent to the Minister and I would just like to ask the Minister at this time for his commitment and also if he has any dates that we can look at.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Lafferty.

Further Return To Question 47-16(1): RCMP Detachment In Mackenzie Delta

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, I will commit to visiting the community of Tsiigehtchic and the surrounding communities. I did receive a letter from the Member and I am looking forward to that. At this time, my department will be working with the Member to specify a date and time. Mahsi.