Caroline Wawzonek

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Sorry, I think I may have actually been sort of mumbling along. I apologize. The increase that is being increased from the main estimates of 2019-2020 to 2020-2021, the increase in the mains is as a result in small part to the collective agreement increase but in more significant part is a forced growth application. The Member already pointed out the difference in the actuals, and so the increase here, and it's again, as I mentioned, the first time in some years that there has actually been an increase, is reflected in simply the increased costs. Everything from an...

Yes, Mr. Chair, thank you. I am here to present the 2020-2021 Main Estimates for the Department of Justice. Overall, the department's estimates propose an increase of just under $7.4 million or 5.8 percent over the 2019-2020 main estimates. These estimates support our fiscal objectives to prioritize responsible and strategic spending while matching the modest expected revenue growth over the coming year.

Highlights of these proposed estimates include:

$465,000 to develop a gun and gang violence strategy for the Northwest Territories, including funding for targeted risk-based interventions within...

I can only assume, Mr. Chair, that the Member might be referring to the fact that there are individuals who have attended the Northwest Territories from British Columbia with specialized skills, to deliver specialized training, but the Department of Justice applies, to the extent that there is a criminal code, the federal criminal code, and to the extent that it's the laws of the Northwest Territories, and indeed we have developed our own training program for corrections officers with northern components within that, and will continue to refine and deliver that program in the Northwest...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. As to the first part of the Member's comment, about being crippled, I would reply to simply say that this actually did come in on budget and that the project costs for construction were as expected, and that the contract costs are as expected. To the second half of the Member's question, Madam Speaker, the Boreal Partnership is made up of HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions, Bird Capital Limited, and BBGI Corporation. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. A significant amount of the travel is the result, in community justice, we often wind up either bringing community justice committee chairs into their regional centres, and often sometimes into Yellowknife, and that is a significant reason for the increase in funding, increases to travel budgets. The other significant contributing factor is the Northwest Territories guns and gangs strategy involves researchers going into communities in Behchoko, Inuvik, Fort Smith, and Hay River, so there are costs, of course, associated with that travel. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. One of the key areas of engagement that we have already begun as the Department of Justice within the 19th Assembly is to truly advocate to the federal government to expand the First Nations Policing Program. The First Nations Policing Program provides a different type of funding arrangement between the RCMP and the Government of the Northwest Territories and supports the increase of additional positions within Indigenous communities. Under that program, as it is, there are five additional police officers coming in, in 2021, but it's our view that that program really...

Mr. Chair, will the Member be satisfied if I simply say yes?

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...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The facilities that are based in Fort Smith, certainly the one that is for male individuals, is often one that receives individuals who have other, higher needs. For example, often with mental health challenges, which wouldn't necessarily be appropriate for the therapeutic model. The North Slave facility is the facility that generally houses, first of all, more remand individuals, but also often higher risk individuals. There may be a vision, and the time may come where other facilities can transition or add to their programming, but for the moment, what's happening in...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, I certainly can table that as a response, in terms of the specific funding to communities. We will do that. There are currently eight communities that are receiving funding for in-person services. Other communities in their respective regions can access them by telephone. I can certainly commit to considering whether or not Victim Services can and should be expanded to other in-person services in other communities; what I can't do is commit to, in fact, having that happen. It would have to look at what the report says and conduct some degree of cost benefit analysis...