Debates of October 14, 2005 (day 10)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Justice. It gets back to my Member’s statement, where I was talking about the drug crackdown that took place here in Yellowknife and in Edmonton yesterday. I know there is a good deal of work that went into the operation yesterday and the ongoing investigations that are in place. I wonder what the Department of Justice is going to do to ensure that all of the hard work yesterday by the RCMP will have the maximum impact of keeping drug traffickers off of our streets. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. I will allow the Minister to answer the question, but I would just caution Members that the judiciary is a separate arm of government and we have to watch it. The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 114-15(4): Ongoing Impact Of RCMP Operation Gunship

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think I understand where the Member is going with this and the nature of his question. The Member knows that it is the GNWT that is responsible for the administration of justice in this territory pursuant to our Northwest Territories Act and that, of course, is separate and apart from the prosecution function which, in the NWT, is the mandate of the federal Department of Justice.

In the past, when we’ve needed additional courtroom space for the administration of justice, we’ve gone out and found that. I am not sure that would be the case here. I doubt it. If it was, we would certainly do that. I can assure the Member that -- and I think he referred to people being back on the street in his Member’s statement -- nobody is going to be back on the street because our Department of Justice failed to provide a courtroom, a court reporter or a court clerk. I can give the Member that assurance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 114-15(4): Ongoing Impact Of RCMP Operation Gunship

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for his response. I will be careful with my questions. I know and can appreciate the difference in the Crown prosecutor’s office and the Minister’s department. Are the resources currently in place in the Crown prosecutor’s office to deal effectively with those being charged with drug trafficking? That’s the question, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 114-15(4): Ongoing Impact Of RCMP Operation Gunship

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That’s not my department. It is the federal government’s Crown prosecutor office. I don’t think we have seen a case to date, I don’t believe, where the Crown prosecutor’s office, for lack of resources, has had to stand down a prosecution. I can’t imagine that that would be the case. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 114-15(4): Ongoing Impact Of RCMP Operation Gunship

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know the operation yesterday was targeting more high-level drug trafficking. Could the Minister let the House know if the department is working with the RCMP on targeting the street level crime that’s taking place and the street level drug trafficking that is taking place here in the city of Yellowknife and other communities around the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 114-15(4): Ongoing Impact Of RCMP Operation Gunship

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a very real problem and certainly a priority for our government and the RCMP. They’ve been listening to and hearing from our public for quite some time that not only do they need to go after the big fish or the high-level dealers, but deal with the street level. The RCMP intends to do that. We’ve been working with them. They have now unveiled a pilot project called the NWT Street Team. It will dedicate some officers to dealing with disrupting the supply of drugs in our communities, which is very important. So there will be a lot of work going into this over the next year. We have to be cognizant in communities to work to reduce the demand, and support people to get the help that they need. The strategy has to be multi-pronged. But I can say that this is a priority for the RCMP and they are moving forward on this, and I am certainly happy to see that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Supplementary To Question 114-15(4): Ongoing Impact Of RCMP Operation Gunship

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the RCMP’s operation yesterday, they brought in a drug dog from Peace River and one from Wetaskawin, Alberta. I know in last year’s budget, we had approved funding, $1.2 million, which included a search and rescue/drug dog and a handler. I wonder if the Minister knows when that resource will be on the ground here in the Northwest Territories able to help tackle the drug wave here in the Northwest Territories.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 114-15(4): Ongoing Impact Of RCMP Operation Gunship

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, I indicated I believed the dog was already present in the Northwest Territories. In fact, that was wrong. I understand the dog will be here November 6th and will be based in Yellowknife but available for use right across the territory in their operations. I think we can look forward to that. That gives us some additional capacity in this regard and it’s much needed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.