Masi, Madam Speaker. [Translation] I'd like to ask a question regarding the Department of Justice. Sometimes, we are thankful to the RCMP when people are busted for drugs and that drugs don't go into the community, so we know what they are facing regarding the RCMP. I'm going to ask her a question. [End of translation]
There were several drug busts over the last few months here in the Northwest Territories, and in our communities, as well. I would like to send kudos and congratulate and also be thankful to the RCMP "G" Division for stopping these illegal drugs from entering the North.
When the drug bust occurred in Hay River a couple of months back, there were only three names released to the public out of the nine who were actively involved. I would just like to know the process from the Department of Justice, working with the RCMP "G" Division. what is the process of releasing these assailants or criminals who were all involved in a drug bust so we can have this publicly released so people are aware that these are people who are heavily involved with drugs? I just want to know the process, Madam Speaker. Masi.
Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Minister of Justice.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. When an individual is arrested and charged, it is within the decision-making of the RCMP whether or not to release the name. I can't take a role in terms of making a choice or directing their operations, although I am confident that, when appropriate, when there are no other factors of safety or other ongoing investigations, they do generally release those names by way of a media release quite promptly. When an individual is detained by the RCMP in the course of a program or in the course of another investigation, if they are detained but released without charge, that individual is just that; they are not charged. There can be any number of reasons why somebody might be arrested or detained at the same time as others. If the RCMP determine that they do not have the legal authority to hold them or charge them, then nor would it be appropriate for them to be releasing their name. I expect that that may be a source of frustration when it is not known as to whether or not there is a certain number of people who have been arrested and why they are not all being named, but it's, in fact, of course, because not all of them have been charged under the investigation. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
I understand that they may not have been charged, but they were involved. When the drug bust happened, there were nine of them. You know, when there was a person of interest from the RCMP in Alberta just recently, they released the names of two individuals. This is, I would say, similar. I would ask the Minister of Justice if she is willing to sit down with the RCMP "G" Division commanding officer and seek out if there is any way that we can provide those names to the general public. My constituents, I want to protect them, and with those kinds of names, we should be releasing those to the community so they are aware of the drug traffickers coming in from the South, or even from the North, bringing illegal drugs to our communities. We need to put a stop to that. Could the Minister meet with the RCMP "G" Division chief commanding officer simply to ask those questions, if it's possible?
We're fortunate that we have a very positive working relationship with the RCMP. We do meet quite regularly with the commander of the "G" Division, and so I would have no difficulty making a commitment to raise the concerns on behalf of the communities of Monfwi in terms of stemming any tide of drugs reaching those communities. I would also note for the Member that the Minister does have policing priorities that are put out every year, every spring, and indeed it's my intention this year to reach out, and have begun the process of reaching out, to communities to ensure that the policing priorities that I issue are reflective of the concerns of the communities. I will speak to the Member further to ensure that policing priorities take into consideration the concerns and the issues that are being raised from these communities.
A lot of our communities do not have a RCMP detachment, and even my region, there are two communities that do not have an RCMP detachment. I fear for the communities, so I am glad the Minister is willing to meet with the chief commanding officer. I am hoping it's sooner than later. Winter roads are open, and all-weather road construction through Whati is happening. As soon as the Minister meets with the chief commanding officer, I would ask the Minister if she could provide the latest update on their discussion on this particular very important matter in my region.
I will certainly be keeping the Member up to date as I have conversations with the RCMP. I also believe that the RCMP would be themselves happy to engage directly with some of the committees of this House and to have that relationship about their operations, which is not within my area of responsibility. As for community safety going forward, that is a concern to the Department of Justice. There are a lot of different tools that can be used to increase and enhance community safety and community participation in the justice system, and I will continue to work towards those goals over the course of the Assembly.
