Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to recognize the people who are working to deliver local justice services and reduce crime in the communities.

Justice committees work with elders and community leaders to develop innovative solutions to their justice issues, such as the diversion program. Diversion is for people who accept responsibility for the minor crimes they commit. They meet with the committee to talk about what happened. Then the committee makes a decision about how the person can make things better. Last year, there were more than 200 diversions.

Community justice committees also develop crime prevention activities. They’re administering fine options programs, on-the-land activities and services for victims of crime. Several innovative projects have moved forward in the past year. The dog shelter in Nahanni Butte is teaching teenagers to care for animals. The cabin-building project in Whati brings youth together with elders, who are teaching them skills far beyond how to hammer a nail. A support group in Inuvik is helping girls find good role models and avoid violent situations.

We’re seeing real results. In Deline, there have not been any youth in court for the past four years. The Yellowknife victim services workers were recently selected as the Outstanding Group of the Year, for their dedication to service at any time of the day or night. The Gameti policing project has just wrapped up, and Behchoko and Fort Simpson are both planning to deliver their own victim services programs.

Funding is now available to every community to hire a part-time justice coordinator. Additional special project funding is available to deliver programs. This money helps communities develop a justice system that meets their unique needs and provides them with a safer environment.

The support for community justice is encouraging. Communities are excited to deliver their own projects and to help residents live in safer neighbourhoods. This Assembly passed a motion last year to support and improve our programming. In response, the Department of

Justice is developing a strategic plan with local stakeholders and partners, including the RCMP. We’ll help communities deliver better services, improve training programs, make good programs even better and communicate more effectively. This involves working with partners from the community level all the way to the federal government. I am looking forward to presenting more details about this plan to Members next month. Thank you.

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