Thanks to the Minister for his answer. While reading on this topic, I noticed there are a number of roadside screening devices out there. I am wondering: has the federal government informed us which device they will be using, and have we made necessary arrangements to order these?
I understand that there are several different devices that might meet the standards. Public Safety Canada did announce in early September that they would be providing funding up to $161 million over five years for training front-line officers. It appears that there are several different devices that might or may be used, and the federal government clearly is prepared to foot the bill for pretty extensive training.
Thank you to the Minister. An article from CBC Saskatoon about a study by Public Safety Canada tested two testing devices at seven detachments, including Yellowknife. Has the Minister or the department received this report, and has he been able to tell us what the results were with those two devices?
I can advise that I have not personally received or reviewed the report, but I do understand that it has been received by the department. I am also aware that there are some concerns that some of these devices may not work in extreme cold, but the RCMP are looking into this matter to make sure that when the devices are received and utilized, they do give a proper reading.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier today the Minister of Justice was answering some questions and mentioned that he was not sure how many training positions there are with the correctional service, but he was sure there were enough. I did some research between then and now. There are two positions; one at the facility, one at the headquarters. They are both staffed by the same person. I want to ask the Minister now if he thinks one person to coordinate, plan, and execute all the training for 350 probation and correction officers is sufficient. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister of Justice.
Mr. Speaker, that does seem like a very heavy caseload. What I can do is undertake to look into this matter. I have not been aware that there are any problems. It is possible that one person could provide all these functions, but I acknowledge that would certainly be an exceptional person. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I agree with the Minister. We have the best public servants in Canada, and certainly, they are up to the task. I just think it is unfortunate that this Minister is asking one individual to take so much on. I will take his commitment. There are a few other things I would like him to look into. Apparently at the facility itself, when recreation time is given, they will take one of the officers off the job to go and deal with direct duties, leaving one officer behind to handle 30-plus inmates. Is the Minister aware of issues like that that may be compromising the safety of officers who are doing their jobs at the facility and not being provided adequate backup and relief in potentially unsafe situations?
I was not aware of this specific issue. I am sure that management is ensuring that all correctional officers do have adequate backup and support. I will, however, look into it if the Member wishes.
The Member does wish it, and I will look forward to the Minister reporting back, or his department. Another concern I will share with the Minister today is that currently the emergency response team at the jail is not a dedicated unit. In other facilities, it is a dedicated unit. They receive two-week intensive training. They are equipped with a full range of security gear, including specialized non-lethal weaponry that allows them to control these situations. None of that is present at our facility. There is not a dedicated emergency response team. Will the Minister look into emergency response protocols and ensure that our correctional officers are given the equipment they need to deal with those situations and also the training that they need to deal with those situations?
There may not be a dedicated ERT team out at NSCC. There may be ERT-specific teams in larger institutions. I am not certain. I do know, however, that all correctional staff are given training on how to cool down difficult situations so that they can be safe as can be the inmates at the institutions.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, we have the best public servants in the world and the best correctional officers in the world. They have great relationships with the inmates. It is when the situation goes wrong that you need to prepare for contingencies. I will leave that with the Minister and ask my final question: I have heard reports that officers are being sent home on the basis of the tension level of the building.
Essentially, managers are being told to eyeball the building and judge whether or not it is a tense night or tense evening or tense day and sending people home early to cut back on overtime hours paid to officers. Can the Minister look into the practice and make sure it isn't happening, make sure our staffing levels are compliant with security requirements, and make sure our officers are supported? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I am confident that staffing levels and training are more than adequate at our facility. I have actually understood that the number of violent or potentially violent incidents at the facility was actually in decline. I certainly will look into the issues raised by the Member opposite. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled "Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2016-2019 (Revised)." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled "2016-2017 Annual Report on Official Languages." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Tabling of documents. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to table the following document entitled "2016-2017 Northwest Territories Water Stewardship Strategy: Progress Review Summary." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled "Avens Adult Day Program Review – Final Summary Report to July 19, 2017." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following three documents entitled "Northwest Territories Community Futures Program 2015-2016 Annual Report," "Business Development and Investment Corporation 2016-2017 Annual Report," and "Follow-Up Letter to Oral Question 887-18(2), Federal Funding for Infrastructure." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Tabling of documents. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table a document entitled "An Open Letter to the Minister of Justice NWT dated October 7, 2017, from the Inmates at the North Slave Correctional Centre." Thank you.
Tabling of documents. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. I would like to table the following document, "Northwest Territories Mineral Sector Review and Benchmarking," by Andrew Bauer Consultant. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Tabling of documents.
I wish to table the Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly 2017 – Independent Auditors Report – Climate Change in the Northwest Territories.
Colleagues, I wish to draw your attention, obviously, to the presence of visitors in the gallery of Jerome Berthelette who is here with us today, and also Erin Jellinek of the Office of the Auditor General of Canada. Welcome to our Assembly.
Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday, October 20, 2017, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Frame Lake, that this Legislative Assembly call upon the Government of Canada to make a formal public apology for the damage done by the Giant Mine, and more specifically to the Yellowknives Dene First Nation; and further, that this Assembly call upon the Government of Canada to enter into negotiations with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation to provide compensation for these damages and loss of use; and furthermore, that the Premier of the Northwest Territories convey this motion without delay to the Prime Minister of Canada with a letter requesting a reply. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Notices of motion. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
I give notice that on Friday, October 20, 2017, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that this Legislative Assembly call upon the Government of Canada to make representations to the United States federal government opposing the removal of protection for the Porcupine caribou herd by allowing any industrial activities within the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge; and further that this Assembly call upon the Government of the Northwest Territories to actively support and assist Gwich'in governments and related organizations in their efforts to prevent the opening of the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge and to seek permanent protection of this critical habitat for the Porcupine caribou herd; and furthermore that the Premier of the NWT convey this motion without delay to the Prime Minister of Canada with a letter requesting a reply. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Notices of motion. Item 16, notices for motion for first reading of bills.
Colleagues, before we get into the next item, I am going to call for a short break. Masi.
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