Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, obviously, the concern of my constituents living close to the North Slave Correctional facility cannot be understated. These are people with families. These are people who have a right to be concerned about their public safety, and earlier in the week the answers have only created more confusion. I would like the Minister to confirm that the perimeter front's extension has begun, and is ongoing. Thank you.
Minister of Justice.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I informed this House the other day when I was asked a question by the Member opposite, the tender for the perimeter fence project closed on August 29, 2017. I understand that the project is now under construction, and that it will be completed by mid-October. It is on course to be completed, as I say, by October, so the project, which I know has been long awaited by the residents of that area, should be completed within the next couple of weeks. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to thank the Minister for offering a new kind of hope, a hope that comes from getting projects done, and making firm commitments in this House. Now, I would like to turn to the other issue of the security improvements. What is the status of them? Does he have any new information for the House today on those projects, which are significant in that the deficiency that they are designed to address resulted in an escape from the facility, an escape that brought an inmate into very close proximity with a residential neighbourhood?
Yes, this of course is an important project. As I mentioned the other day, we did go out for bids for this project, and, unfortunately, the response from the contractors who submitted tenders was way above the money that had been approved for this work. We therefore are looking at a revised approach to secure the yard from which the inmate escaped, and I will certainly keep this House informed as to progress. The original idea was to, in essence, put up a new interior fence. That proved to be much too expensive, so we are looking at other alternatives to secure this area. Hopefully once completed, that will assure the residents of their security, also.
We are hoping again. What are some of the options that are being looked at by the Minister? He is talking about revising a plan. I am of the opinion that there is no cost too great for public safety. If he could tell us what some of the costeffective solutions are that his department is looking at, I am sure my residents would be greatly appreciative of that.
It was thought initially that a completely new fence would be required. We are looking at less complicated and hopefully less expensive alternatives.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When does the Minister anticipate that this work will be done, Mr. Speaker? Will it be done next year, the year after, the year after that? When do we expect the tender to be released, and the work to be done? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
This is an important issue, of course, Mr. Speaker, because we would like to have the inmates to again have access to this portion of the facility. I do not have an exact date to provide to this House when this work will be done, but it is an important project. We are working on it, and I will keep the House informed. Thank you.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.
