Debates of October 20, 2004 (day 24)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Justice. Last week in this House, I raised the issue of the RCMP cutting one staff position at the Fort Simpson detachment. Since then, new information has been brought to my attention that has some bearing on the situation.

For several years up until now, the Fort Simpson RCMP detachment had been consistently manned by seven police officers. However, during the years 2001-02 and 2002-03, the RCMP received special funding from the Treasury Board to add an extra staff member. This was done in recognition of the fact that federal park wardens had lost their powers to act as peace officers. Some 10 extra police officers were hired across the country. Unfortunately, the RCMP did not add an extra member at the Fort Simpson detachment as required. Mr. Speaker, my question for the Minister is will he find out if the RCMP chief chose to cut a position at the Fort Simpson detachment at the time they received special funding from the Treasury Board? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The Minister of Justice, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 265-15(3): Level Of Police Services In The Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that the RCMP establish staff positions based on need in the community, and I understand that the decision they made to change the staffing levels in Fort Simpson was based on their assessment of the requirements for maintaining public safety in that region. Mr. Speaker, I am not aware of the Treasury Board funding that the Member refers to, so I would have to request some information from the RCMP on how that funding was accessed and allocated. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 265-15(3): Level Of Police Services In The Deh Cho

Mr. Speaker, in effect, by not hiring an extra member at that time, the RCMP effectively cut one position already. Now we are being told that we are losing another officer and it is because of low crime statistics and other indicators. Is it just a coincidence that we are losing a second RCMP now that the RCMP has lost this special funding they never spent at the Fort Simpson detachment in the first place? Will the Minister speak with the RCMP on our behalf and see how it is that we not only lost one member, but apparently we lost two members at the Fort Simpson detachment?

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 265-15(3): Level Of Police Services In The Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the last five years, the complement in the region has been increased in the Fort Liard detachment. I am not sure that in the region there has been a dramatic change. That may have something to do with the position the Member is asking about. I did commit already that I would check with the RCMP and see what I can find out in terms of any extra funding and allocations they may have made.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 265-15(3): Level Of Police Services In The Deh Cho

Mr. Speaker, certainly this issue, as the Minister inferred, will turn out to be a good news story or a bad news story. The contention of myself and the residents of the Nahendeh riding is that we are the losers, Mr. Speaker. The reduction of service level will certainly impact us. Will the Minister speak to the RCMP on our behalf and lobby to change this? Will the Minister speak to the RCMP and not reduce staffing levels, but rather not fill this position as a cost-saving measure? Mahsi cho.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 265-15(3): Level Of Police Services In The Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Members know, it is not my position to direct the RCMP as to where their staff should go. I have discussed the staffing situation in Fort Simpson with the chief superintendent. The chief superintendent assured me that the decision was made based on need across the Territories. Given the complement of members that we have in the Territories, the chief superintendent is confident that the decisions on where members are located are proper as they stand right now. The next time I meet with the chief superintendent, I will make sure that I advise him that the Member remains concerned about the staffing levels in Fort Simpson. Thank you.