Debates of October 20, 2006 (day 12)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker…(English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, community bylaw officers have proven beneficial in the past in the community of Behchoko. These officers dealt with issues within our community, such as vandalism, littering and break and enters. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Justice tell me if there are any plans to re-establish the aboriginal community bylaw officers program in the communities? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 147-15(5): Aboriginal Community Policing Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm not familiar with the specific program that the Member is referring to, but I will say that obviously we have an RCMP detachment in Behchoko. We are working very closely with the community to improve community policing in the entire region. I also am aware and know that MACA provides core operational funding to communities. Some of them have chosen to establish bylaw officer positions. I believe there are about 19 across the territory. So some communities are using funding from MACA in that regard, and I'm not sure if that avenue is open to Behchoko but that would likely be a question better put to the MACA Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 147-15(5): Aboriginal Community Policing Program

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the community of Behchoko in the past has trained a couple members from the community of Behchoko. I do believe it was under the Special Constable Program through MACA, Municipal and Community Affairs, but it was in partnership with the RCMP, as well, under the RCMP guidance. It was a very successful program, but, unfortunately, the funding was cut. So I guess my question to either Justice or MACA, would the Minister direct the RCMP and the Tlicho leadership in Behchoko to create a partnership that will sustain or reinstate the Aboriginal Policing Program that was very successful in the community? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 147-15(5): Aboriginal Community Policing Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are a number of things going on. We do have an Aboriginal Community Constable Program in the RCMP and there are four positions across the territory that have been earmarked, and that essentially is additional funding provided for positions where can have aboriginal officers trained and then take positions in communities. I believe there is one such position in Behchoko. The former Special Constable Program that the RCMP had, the Member's right, has expired. We have had a number of meetings and lobbied the RCMP to restart a program of this nature. The federal government is talking about setting up something called a Community Safety Officer Program. We're in consultation with them now. We've had some preliminary discussions. We're very supportive of this, except that, as I mentioned to the Member for Sahtu, we want to ensure that this program is relevant for our smallest communities, and so we're working to make sure that it will be. But I do expect a new program coming forward. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Final supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 147-15(5): Aboriginal Community Policing Program

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm glad to hear that there's a program that's forthcoming. At the same time, I'd like to ask the Minister if he's willing to work with his counterpart, the MACA Minister, Mr. McLeod, on specifically dealing with this particular issue, re-establishing the program. I realize there's program dollars that may be forthcoming from the federal counterparts that was highlighted earlier. But there again, can the Minister work with his colleague, Minister McLeod, on re-establishing the program to the community? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 147-15(5): Aboriginal Community Policing Program

Mr. Speaker, thank you, and I thank the Member for the question. I do know that this is a priority for the community of Behchoko. I think the Member remembers about six months back we met with his community, the RCMP and with the leadership, Chief Lafferty, to discuss policing issues generally. At that point there were some questions about bylaw. I will certainly sit down again with the MACA Minister. We'd be prepared to talk again with the community leadership and the Member to discuss how we can best provide policing and bylaw services in that community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Your final supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 147-15(5): Aboriginal Community Policing Program

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I'm glad to hear from the Minister that he's willing to work with his colleague. I guess my next question would be how soon can we expect the Ministers to come out to the community? Mr. Speaker, the sooner the better. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 147-15(5): Aboriginal Community Policing Program

Mr. Speaker, I recognize the urgency. I know it's a priority for the community, and as soon as our schedules can be coordinated, we will look to do that. So I'll have my office speak with the community. Some help from the Member will be wonderful and we'll make sure the two of us can do that. Thank you.