Debates of October 23, 2006 (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier in my Member's statement I talked about the RCMP presence in Sachs Harbour. I just want to follow up with the Minister. As I indicated in my Member's statement, when we travelled to Sachs Harbour he did commit to the mayor and residents there that there will be an RCMP presence by July 2007. Can the Minister confirm that? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 165-15(5): RCMP Presence In Sachs Harbour

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me first indicate to the Member that certainly the community and this Member have convinced me of the need for a detachment in Sachs Harbour. One of the most pressing reasons is the distance for service from Inuvik. I was in Sachs Harbour, talked about my desire to see RCMP officers on the ground in the summer of 2007. We wouldn't have a permanent detachment by that point. We would have to send a detachment up in '08 in the summer season. So sometime in fall '08 the detachment could be operational.

Mr. Speaker, the federal government will come up with the capital money to build the detachment. They will also fund their share of the O and M, which is 30 percent. It's on us, on this government, on this Legislature to come up with the 70 percent of the O and M for the staffing complement and I'm seeking to do that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Supplementary To Question 165-15(5): RCMP Presence In Sachs Harbour

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand we're looking at capital dollars to set up some infrastructure in Sachs Harbour, but I think the question I have again, Mr. Speaker, is that at the public meeting he did say that there will be RCMP presence by 2007. Having said that, will he make sure that he follows through on this commitment? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 165-15(5): RCMP Presence In Sachs Harbour

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, again just to be clear, I've toured the old facility with the Member in Sachs Harbour. Obviously it needs to be replaced. It's outdated; it wouldn't work today. We do have a residence there that's currently being occupied by a teacher. I think we could make arrangements. So in terms of capital, we need new capital. The feds have made that commitment. The O and M to see bodies on the ground is a shared responsibility between ourselves and the federal government. The federal government has committed; it's now up to us in the upcoming budget process. So I don't presume to know what this Legislature will determine with the budget in February, but I will certainly bring it forward. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Supplementary To Question 165-15(5): RCMP Presence In Sachs Harbour

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister sit down with his Cabinet and say let's put that money there? Make it available in the upcoming budget. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Bell

Further Return To Question 165-15(5): RCMP Presence In Sachs Harbour

Mr. Speaker, I can assure the Member I do it more than once a month on an ongoing basis. Thank you.