R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I support this motion. The government is mandated to provide a men's healing program, and morally there is no question that we should be. Whether the funding for A New Day continues beyond next month is dependent as the Minister says, upon the findings of a third party evaluation.

Mr. Speaker, I understand that we are in difficult financial times, and I'm not against cutting costs, nor am I against ensuring that the programs we fund are effective, but I am worried that the government may just see this as a cost saving opportunity. I might not even advocate for the...

I recommend that the Minister checks his facts on that. I'd also like to ask the Minister, being our Attorney General, he's aware of the Gladue decision of the Supreme Court, which says that, in sentencing, courts must look at culturally-appropriate sanctions for offences when it comes to Aboriginal offenders. Seeing as A New Day is the only program really aimed at men when it comes to issues with domestic violence, if the government doesn't continue this program how is it living up to its obligations to provide these sort of programs for the judiciary so the judiciary can live up to the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have questions about A New Day Program, I'd like to direct them to the Minister of Justice. Last year the Auditor General of Canada released a report on corrections and pointing out some of the deficiencies, which included a lack of access to programs while in remand. I'd like to ask the Minister what programs are offered in remand? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week I made a statement in this House about contaminated lands in Hay River that are owned by and leased to NTCL. There are many sites in Old Town that are strewn with old equipment, rusted barges, derelict buildings, and garbage. I'm concerned that, if this government doesn't take the lead on remediation, those sites will remain in that condition for yet another generation. However, the answers I was receiving when I brought this up from the Minister of Lands led me to believe that this government was waiting to see how the NTCL saga played out and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is also my understanding that there are referrals from probation, from parole, from the Wellness Court to take A New Day. So, again, I'd like the Minister to maybe read his briefing notes again on this topic.

My final question is in July the Minister wrote a letter to me in response to questions I had earlier on the program. In that letter it said, "The Department of Justice is in the process of determining what options are available to continue the men's program should the evaluation find it to be ineffective." This is Tabled Document 127-18(2). So in the four months...

I believe the Minister said A New Day is not accessible to those in remand. It's my understanding that twice a month A New Day goes to remand and provides counselling sessions for inmates. So am I wrong or is the Minister misinformed?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also want to welcome the staff of A New Day, as well as everyone here from the NWTAC, including Deputy Mayor Constituent Donna Lee Jungkind, as well as Enterprise Mayor Craig McMaster. Welcome, we're happy to have you.

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, committee. Please return to page DOT-1. Transportation, total capital estimates, $79,694,000. Does committee agree?

Thank you, Mr. Vanthuyne. Mr. Beaulieu.