Debates of October 22, 2004 (day 26)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister of Justice who, earlier in the sitting of the House, stood up and mentioned the fact that employees at North Slave Correctional Centre could speak out without a fear of retribution from management at that centre. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Justice if, indeed, employees are being targeted at the North Slave Correctional Centre for conduct that they do in terms of questioning management. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Minister of Justice, the Honourable Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 286-15(3): Labour Concerns At The North Slave Correctional Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, employees are certainly not targeted for speaking to the investigators from corporate human resources about human resource practices within Justice. In fact, nobody in the Department of Justice has access to those interviews, so there is nobody out there who has any idea of what may have been said. So, no, there would be no targeting of employees for that.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 286-15(3): Labour Concerns At The North Slave Correctional Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have been getting a number of phone calls and e-mails. One e-mail was even titled "The Department of Injustice," Mr. Speaker. There is a disturbing situation that occurred recently with an employee being terminated at the North Slave Correctional Centre; an employee, Mr. Speaker, that indeed was speaking out against management practices and the hiring process at North Slave Correctional Centre. I find it to be quite a coincidence. A day after he was assaulted by an inmate, he was relieved of his duties as a correctional guard at that centre. It is a very big coincidence, Mr. Speaker, that this employee was one of the more vocal employees there. I was just wondering if the Minister is aware of this situation and when he may be able to get me some answers as to what happened to this individual. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 286-15(3): Labour Concerns At The North Slave Correctional Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would say that it is not appropriate in this venue to discuss an issue like this. I would invite the Member, if he is interested in further information, to approach either myself or Mr. Roland, who is responsible for the public service, to discuss issues such as this. But I will not respond in this House.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 286-15(3): Labour Concerns At The North Slave Correctional Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the reason I bring it up here today is because this might be the only venue where I might get some answers as to what happened at the North Slave Correctional Centre. What is happening out at the North Slave Correctional Centre? I haven’t really been happy with any of the responses I received from what is happening there. It seems to be quite secretive. Mr. Speaker, if the Minister doesn’t want to answer the question about what happened to the employee who was assaulted one day and fired the next, I am wondering, Mr. Speaker, when he might be able to address this with me. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 286-15(3): Labour Concerns At The North Slave Correctional Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister responsible for the public service has advised me that the review of human resource practices is underway, and that, in the not-too-distant future, a report will be available that will be provided to Members on their findings. Thank you.

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

Supplementary To Question 286-15(3): Labour Concerns At The North Slave Correctional Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am just wondering if the Minister is aware of some concern among employees at the North Slave Correctional Centre, that management does indeed have a list of targeted employees, Mr. Speaker, that they have singled out and that they are going after, Mr. Speaker. Is the Minister aware of this list being in existence? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 286-15(3): Labour Concerns At The North Slave Correctional Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do not believe such a list exists. Thank you.