Debates of August 17, 2007 (day 12)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we all know that we passed a budget to get an RCMP presence in Sachs Harbour. Recently, over the last few months, there have been some letters going through from the Minister to myself and to the mayor of Sachs Harbour that this has been delayed probably until 2008. I’d like to ask the Minister of Justice, can he give me an update on whether “G” Division has sent out notification to the RCMP membership in Sachs Harbour at the present time? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. The honourable Minister responsible for Justice, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 142-15(6): Sachs Harbour RCMP Presence

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the question from the Member. The RCMP have indicated to me that they are in the hiring process and have started the search for members who would be qualified to go to Sachs Harbour and do the job there. We have been disappointed that there is some delay in getting the infrastructure on the ground in Sachs Harbour. As the Member knows well, we’ve got to be able to make the barge season. We weren’t able to do that this year because when we looked at the state of facilities, they required more work than we could get done in time. So there is a delay in terms of the physical infrastructure. It will be a year later than we’d originally proposed, but the plan is to have members hired and on the ground ready to go into Sachs Harbour this fall. They will have to be permanently stationed in Inuvik and come back and forth until we have accommodations for them in Sachs Harbour, but the plan is to have a vastly increased force on the ground in Sachs Harbour this fall. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Supplementary To Question 142-15(6): Sachs Harbour RCMP Presence

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regard to accommodations, I did get a notification from the hamlet, from the SAO, that there’s two units available that can be utilized. Has the Minister checked with the RCMP on whether that can be used at the present time? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 142-15(6): Sachs Harbour RCMP Presence

Mr. Speaker, there are several issues. There are issues around accommodations and I’ve talked to the RCMP about that. I’ve relayed the offer of the hamlet as well. We’ve got issues around the detachment, though, in terms of it not meeting code. That needs to be replaced. So there are a number of infrastructure issues there, but we appreciate the offer from the community. I believe that the RCMP will be in discussion with them because, of course, although the members won’t be permanently stationed there, we do need accommodation for them when they’re in town. They will be overnight for weeks at a time. So that offer is very much appreciated and I know that the RCMP intend to have that discussion with the hamlet. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Supplementary To Question 142-15(6): Sachs Harbour RCMP Presence

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In this case right now, I guess two RCMP will be stationed outside of Inuvik. So I’m just wondering, can the Minister ensure that these people that are hired, we’ll make sure that they actually travel to Sachs Harbour as needed? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 142-15(6): Sachs Harbour RCMP Presence

Mr. Speaker, the current situation is that we send members in when we can from Inuvik. They do roving patrols. We were targeting once every six weeks or on an emergency basis to have members come into the community. This fall, as the two positions are hired, they will be officially located, the positions will be housed in Inuvik, but their sole job is Sachs Harbour and that’s where they’ll spend the bulk of their time. They’ll have to travel back and forth. When they are on their downtime back with their families, that won’t be something that they’re able to do in Sachs Harbour and this is one of the challenges of their residences too. We have to find members who don’t have families with them because we don’t have accommodation for families. So there are a number of challenges. But the bottom line is, Mr. Speaker, the policing situation in Sachs Harbour will be vastly improved this fall and I want to thank the Member for his support, thank the RCMP for recognizing how important this was and making it a priority. Thank you.