Debates of October 18, 2006 (day 10)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to direct my questions to the Minister of Justice, the Honourable Brendan Bell, about the policing situations in the communities that do not have a police station there, don't have police officers, which they visit from time to time. I want to ask the Minister, can he give me a brief description or a brief update as to how many communities do not have a police officer in the community, how safe it is in those communities, what's the process of them reporting crimes -- you know, some of them may, may not -- and what type of services are they receiving? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. I think the Member has asked all four of his questions, but I'll let the Minister answer one or more. The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 126-15(5): Policing Services In Small Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's a dangerous answer for me to give a comprehensive one. I'll try to be brief and concise. I think as Members know by now, there's a CBC contest running on the radio that seeks to interpret an answer I might have given to Mr. Ramsay yesterday. I think they've decided it was the most obtuse and confusing answer they've ever seen, so hopefully I can do a little better here. We are meeting with the RCMP and communities to come up with strategies for policing in small communities. We're doing a number of things. The old Special Constable Program that used to be very effective in the North is no longer. They are talking about a next generation program of community safety officers. We're optimistic that that will work in the North, but we want to make sure that it's relevant for our smaller communities. The RCMP are also increasing their patrols and tours to our smallest communities, recognizing that they need help especially when they don't have detachments. So we're doing a number of things; we're consulting, and we'll continue to talk to Members about them. But, yes, we believe that the communities are safe, but we will work as diligently as possible to improve safety. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 126-15(5): Policing Services In Small Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister tell me how many communities do not have RCMP officers in their community today? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 126-15(5): Policing Services In Small Communities

Mr. Speaker, thank you. They all get visits from RCMP members from the larger communities and the regional centres, but there are 13 communities that currently do not have detachments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 126-15(5): Policing Services In Small Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is unacceptable in this day and age; 13 communities without RCMP officers. Not acceptable today in the Northwest Territories. Can the Minister work really hard with this Cabinet to get extra dollars to put community safety officers, community justice peace officers, special constables? That's crazy to talk about not having any special constables in the Northwest Territories. That's what saved the lives of the RCMP officers and they say there's no more justification for it? That's crazy. I ask the Minister again, go to his Cabinet, ask for some real dollars for the RCMP officers for those communities, 13 of them.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 126-15(5): Policing Services In Small Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The challenge with providing officers and having a permanent presence in all our communities is that, as Members know, we need two in each community now. That's the labour standard. We think community constables, or whatever the program will become, makes a lot of sense and will be well used in the Northwest Territories. We'll continue to lobby the federal government in that regard. It's not about, at this point, coming up with more money from this government for officers. The feds pay the tab when it comes to capital. We are looking at capital for Sachs Harbour. We think we have a federal commitment there. So we're moving, Mr. Speaker, but we will continue to send the message that community safety officers make sense in the North, but they do have to be relevant and they do have to have some powers and be useful for our smallest communities. Thank you.

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

Supplementary To Question 126-15(5): Policing Services In Small Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I certainly support the Minister. I know he's been working very hard with his federal government of the Liberal government and now the Conservative government, and also in the last three years in this Assembly in terms of getting RCMP officers in our communities in the Northwest Territories. I again urge him and press him. There's a strong need to have officers in our communities. You know, we have to get creative. Get those communities that have no officers. Thirteen communities in the Northwest Territories. All the money will be in the North. It's a crying shame that we have this today in society here. We need officers in our communities. It's unacceptable, Mr. Speaker. Again, I ask the Minister to really press hard with his counterpart and this Cabinet to get some money, get the RCMP officers in our communities. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 126-15(5): Policing Services In Small Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I agree with the Minister on this point.

Member, member.

I agree with the Member.

---Applause

A promotion. I agree with the Member, Mr. Speaker. I share his concern. It is of highest priority that we are able to establish some detachments in our smallest communities. There are communities that are very remote. It's difficult to provide and ensure safety. We know that there are weather concerns. So, yes, Mr. Speaker, it's a priority. We will continue to make sure the federal government understands that. Thank you.