Debates of October 14, 2004 (day 20)

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Statements

Further Return To Question 211-15(3): Court Worker Position In Fort Simpson

Thank you Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. Menicoche on October 13, 2004, regarding the court worker position in Fort Simpson.

Mr. Speaker, the Legal Services Board of the Northwest Territories has indicated that the court worker position in Fort Simpson will be filled before the end of this fiscal year. Since April of this year, a court worker has been sent in to Fort Simpson once a month for two days to provide assistance to clients wishing to apply for legal aid, and to cover every second Justice of the Peace Court.

A notice is posted at the court worker office advising anyone with questions to call one of the other court workers for assistance. Also, a court worker travels to Fort Simpson to attend Territorial Court sittings.

Mr. Speaker, the Legal Services Board has been actively trying to fill positions across the Northwest Territories on a priority basis. Since April of this year, they have run six competitions to fill positions, including court workers positions in Inuvik and Fort Good Hope, and three family law lawyer positions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.