Debates of October 25, 2004 (day 27)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll rephrase the question. Why are we paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in wrongful dismissal suits? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 301-15-15(3): Wrongful Dismissal Suits In Corrections Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can’t confirm that we are paying that much money. If there are monies that are being paid out for wrongful dismissal, it’s because it’s been found that the process that was followed was not acceptable and, therefore, damages would be awarded in that case. I don’t believe that there are that many cases that have taken place and, as I’ve said many times in this House, we’ve launched an independent review of human resource practices in the Department of Justice, specifically the area of corrections, from all of our facilities from Inuvik to Fort Smith, to review whether or not there is a systemic problem. I do not know that there is one. We will have the answer to that within a couple of weeks. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Supplementary To Question 301-15-15(3): Wrongful Dismissal Suits In Corrections Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I find it difficult to imagine that the Minister is unaware of what’s happening in his department in terms of wrongful dismissal suits. I would also like to know what measures are currently underway to get the amount of overtime being paid out at North Slave Correctional Centre under control. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 301-15-15(3): Wrongful Dismissal Suits In Corrections Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said last week in response to Ms. Lee, there are a number of new staff who have been hired. There is a five week training program for 12 new correctional officers that started on October 4th. At the end of the five weeks, those people will move into positions that will help to alleviate the situation. The issue of the numbers of staff, as I also said to Ms. Lee last week, the North Slave Correctional Centre has a bigger staff complement than did the old centre and staffing up has required some work. In spite of that increase, there has been a reduction in the numbers of vacant spots, so that we are at seven vacancies as of September 30th. The moves are quite significant to try and deal with the issue of overtime and the staff complement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.