Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Very briefly, the Minister of Justice and the department have shown very progressive leadership on diversion programs that support early intervention and prevention of correctional court and health costs. Secondly, the current review and reorganization of the mental health services underway is extending into the next Assembly. This coincidental and overlapping initiative is a good time to bring a mental health court forward.
I want to point out that in the experience to date in Canadian jurisdictions they have enjoyed very healthy savings. In fact, they found that 90 percent of the people diverted into the program completed the program and of that 90 percent, 85 percent did not re-offend again. This is a huge opportunity and I’d be very happy to see this government initiate the research, and claim the credit that can go along with doing that, and putting this before the 17th Assembly for their consideration.
I’d like to ask for a recorded vote.
Mr. Bromley, Mr. Abernethy, Mr. Menicoche, Mr. Ramsay, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Beaulieu, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Jacobson, Ms. Bisaro, Mr. Krutko.
All those opposed to the motion, please stand. All those abstaining from the motion, please stand.
Mr. Lafferty; Mr. Miltenberger; Mr. Roland; Mr. McLeod, Deh Cho; Mr. McLeod, Inuvik Twin Lakes; Mr. McLeod, Yellowknife South.
The results of the recorded vote: in favour, 10; opposed, zero; abstaining, six. The motion is carried.
---Carried
The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
