Debates of January 20, 2004 (day 1)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I made reference to certain points in my Member's statement regarding the Youth Criminal Justice Act, I want to ask the Minister if he would advise this Assembly upon request to his department, that they would work more closely with RCMP under the policing agreement as well as in accordance with subsection 3.2.1 to provide greater clarity for the police officers who arrest or detain young offenders under the act, and if he could kindly explain how he plans to do that. Thank you.

The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 5-15(2): Treatment Of Young Offenders

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I hope to have an opportunity to meet fairly soon with the chief superintendent of the RCMP and will certainly offer to work in collaboration with the RCMP to ensure that we are moving issues of justice and law enforcement forward.

I would like to make clear though, that the RCMP's ability to arrest youth has not changed under this act. The Youth Criminal Justice Act hasn't changed the circumstances under which a young person could be arrested, but the RCMP must consider extrajudicial measures now before proceeding with charges. I think that may be the issue that the Member would like us to address. I can commit that we will move to address that quickly.

Supplementary, Mr. Allen.

Supplementary To Question 5-15(2): Treatment Of Young Offenders

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are a number of contentious issues under the new act, but it's important that the Minister conveys to the public on an official basis that they need to be aware of the process used to deter any youth criminal activity, as it is certainly becoming a territory-wide problem. Would he kindly address that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Justice, Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 5-15(2): Treatment Of Young Offenders

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think that it's important that people become more aware throughout the Territories of the options that are available now for dealing with youth who have run afoul of the law. Alternative measures, such as youth justice committees, are certainly an important aspect to deal with those circumstances. I think it's important that we try to make sure more and more people are aware of these options, and that we do what we can to support the committees in their operations throughout the Territories. So we'll certainly work towards further emphasizing the use of youth justice committees. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Allen.

Supplementary To Question 5-15(2): Treatment Of Young Offenders

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again I refer to the point that this whole issue speaks mainly for provision of counsel. It doesn't speak to the provisions under the act of how they're going to eradicate youth crime in the communities, and that's a contentious issue across the Northwest Territories. So I'm asking the Minister again, is he willing and prepared to work more closely with the community-vested interest groups who deal with youth crime, and how he intends to deal with it through his portfolio? Thank you.

Minister of Justice, Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 5-15(2): Treatment Of Young Offenders

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories currently funds one position with the RCMP to work with communities across the North in trying to address community concerns about crime, and particularly youth crime. It certainly is an issue that is of concern to the department and this government. If the Member has any suggestions for how we can better work in the communities to address issues around youth crime, I'm prepared to commit to work with him to do that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.