Debates of March 16, 2004 (day 1)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I’d like to speak about the alarming rates of crime being committed in the capital city of Yellowknife. Just today, the local media is reporting the latest statistics from the Yellowknife RCMP which shows that in comparison to the first quarter of last year, the number of personal offences, including assaults, were up from 158 cases to 213. This is an increase of 35 percent. The combined offences, including property theft and others, jumped from 1.251 cases to 1,737; a whopping 28 percent increase from 2002.

Mr. Speaker, this comes on the heels of a very disturbing story in the local newspaper just yesterday, where it was reported that a very dangerous predatory youth sex offender was released on parole without sufficient safeguards, with tragic consequences. Not long after being released on parole, this youth offender found and attacked two young victims. They were sexually assaulted at knifepoint while doing the most ordinary thing during broad daylight: walking home from school, and one so very near her home.

Mr. Speaker, I have no idea what actions the Minister is considering or what mechanisms he could put in to improve the situation. I’d like to know and I will be pursuing what steps he’s prepared to take to reduce the crime rates in the city and what added protection the government is proposing to make our community much safer.

Mr. Speaker, I do believe, as Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, that this should be on top of his mind and we, as the legislature, also have an obligation to take decisive and aggressive action to address the issue. I would like to reiterate that I will be pursuing this issue in the coming days and weeks. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause