Debates of May 26, 2004 (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister of Justice. Recently it was brought to my attention that the RCMP detachment in Fort Simpson is considering a reduction in staff. This is a huge concern to me and my constituents. Here we have a riding, my riding, that is poised for economic growth and, of course, the negative affects that come with it. Of course, the Fort Simpson detachment services four satellite communities of Nahanni Butte, Jean Marie, Trout Lake and Wrigley. I would just like to know if the Minister is aware of the RCMP in this regard in reducing the staff of the Fort Simpson detachment.

Minister of Justice, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 134-15(3): Reduction In RCMP Complement In Fort Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have been advised that there is one vacant position in the Fort Simpson detachment that the RCMP is not planning to fill at this time. I have been told that this is based on the workload that they currently have in the detachment. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 134-15(3): Reduction In RCMP Complement In Fort Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister is well aware of how budget and budgeting cycles work, especially when you reduce or take away a position. I would just like to ask the Minister if it is possible to keep that position resident and not really take it away from the budget, because once we take away a position it’s so much harder to replace that position and to justify it again. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Justice, Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 134-15(3): Reduction In RCMP Complement In Fort Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The total staff complement for the RCMP would not be reduced. The contract that we have with them pays for a certain number of personnel, but the RCMP often make decisions about where to place staff and as demand changes, the location of staff will change. So if the need increases in Fort Simpson, I would expect that the RCMP would make sure that that position was then filled in that community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 134-15(3): Reduction In RCMP Complement In Fort Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am just trying to request the Minister to speak with the RCMP, of course with whom we have a contract, to get some kind of commitment that certainly they won’t staff that position now, but at least they won’t remove that position. We are going to grow and that’s going to happen soon in light of the pipeline and the activities that are associated with it. It’s certainly trying to pick up speed. We are looking at filing the application this year, so a lot of things will start to happen. Lots of people will start passing through the communities and we will certainly experience unwanted negative effects like drifters and people passing through. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Justice.

Further Return To Question 134-15(3): Reduction In RCMP Complement In Fort Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will certainly commit to the Member that I will discuss the staffing issues with the RCMP the next time I meet with the chief superintendent, but I will remind Members that it’s always an RCMP decision as to where staff are located and they make their decisions based on the volume of work. There is no intent for us to reduce the total staff complement with the RCMP. In fact, I am hoping that we will, over the next two years, be able to increase the level of staffing in our contract with them to respond to the request that they have submitted to this government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.