Debates of October 14, 2004 (day 20)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Justice. I don’t remember exactly when it was, but in this House, the issue has already been raised with respect to the court circuit schedule to the communities, whereby a judge and court party goes into the communities and hears the cases that are before the courts there. Not so long ago, this schedule and services were seriously reduced. The number of days in the community and the frequency of visits to the communities were reduced. I would like to know if the Minister has been tracking this, following this, finding out information like how many cases are having to be put over to the next time the court party is back. I still think it is a problem. I would like to know if he is aware of that problem. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Minister of Justice, the Honourable Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 219-15(3): Community Court Circuit Schedule Reduction

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, I was aware of the concern. It was addressed to the House earlier. I met with the chief judge to discuss a number of issues. This was one of the issues that we discussed. The chief judge assured me that this change would not impact on the delivery of justice and that the court circuit would be adequate. I know that it is an issue that is watched regularly. I have recently, within the last few weeks, been in receipt of e-mails discussing the numbers of cases in different communities. In fact, the suggestion is that this has not caused a problem. So it is being tracked. It is being watched. Yes, I am kept up to date on that watch. It does not, at this point, appear to have caused any problems in the delivery of justice. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 219-15(3): Community Court Circuit Schedule Reduction

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, sometimes there is a delay or an interval of up to six weeks or longer in some communities between the time that a person could theoretically be charged with an offence and when they would have a chance to have a preliminary examination of that charge in the courts. Mr. Speaker, the Minister himself referred to the increase in things such as drug busts, activity in drug trade, certainly very publicized situations with vandalism in some of the communities like Fort Smith and other places. It would seem that, in fact, the number of cases coming before the courts would be more. We have heard from Mr. Menicoche today that there is a court worker issue, as well, to prepare for these cases to be heard. I do not believe that it is sufficient. The new chief justice is the one who put this schedule into place. The Minister says he is satisfied, but I am not satisfied. I would like to have evidence of the number of cases that are being put over because of this lack of resources being dedicated to our court services. I would like to have that information presented here in the House. Is the Minister prepared to do that?

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 219-15(3): Community Court Circuit Schedule Reduction

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would be happy to contact the courts and see what sorts of information we can put together. I can’t promise it for tomorrow, but I could let the Member know within the next 24 hours how long it will take us to put the information together that we can get. I would be pleased to present that information.