Debates of June 1, 2006 (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier this year I talked about the need for citizen judges here in the Northwest Territories. In Yellowknife there’s an annual tradition; on July 1st we have new Canadians sworn in, but through further investigation I found out that there are only 19 citizenship judges across Canada and recently I found out that we won’t be having our citizenship ceremony here on July 1st, which has become quite a tradition here in Yellowknife. I’d like to know what the Minister is doing to investigate this problem about us not having swearing in ceremonies July 1st. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 28-15(5): Need For Citizenship Judges

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have recently written the federal Minister to encourage him to appoint more citizenship court judges and particularly here in the Northwest Territories. I have asked that be done as soon as possible. I have not yet been able to confirm that we will not have a ceremony in the Territories this summer, but my office, when informed by the Member that this was likely, we started to follow up on that and we will pressure Citizenship and Immigration Canada to try and find a way to have citizenship court here this summer. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Time for question period has expired. However, I will allow the Member to proceed with his supplementary question. Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 28-15(5): Need For Citizenship Judges

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Recognizing the difficulty of getting a citizenship judge here in the Northwest Territories, I approached the concept of getting our honourable Commissioner to become one of the citizenship ceremony officials. I approached honourable Whitford and he liked the idea. I brought his name forward to the department and I see Minister Dent has written a letter in support to our federal Minister, Monte Solberg. Again, recognizing the problem that I’ve got and the information from the MP’s office, which is they will not be holding a citizenship ceremony, could I get the Minister to say today that he will agree to follow up in some type of a speedy manner? Will they look at processing the Honourable Whitford’s accreditation? Would they look at that possibility of maybe making him a citizenship judge in the Northwest Territories as soon as possible? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 28-15(5): Need For Citizenship Judges

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is right that I have written to the Minister’s office. We have had no response to that letter. So I can’t promise that we will get a response even if we follow up again. I will ensure that we are in contact with Minister Solberg’s office to let him know that it is important that we see access to citizenship courts here in the Northwest Territories and that we would like to see that take place very quickly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Time for question period has expired. The honourable Member from Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to return to item 7. Thank you.