Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, the Minister provided a response to my written questions on the number of cases that were found to be unfounded on sexual assault. He indicated that a reclassification had reduced the number to 18.7. My question, first of all, is whether the Minister is going to direct the RCMP to reinvestigate or follow up with those cases? Thank you.
Masi. Minister of Justice.
No, I can't direct the RCMP to do that. I do know that the RCMP are treating this matter very seriously. I understand that they looked at these old files, and I think that was the satisfactory and correct response from the RCMP.
Mr. Speaker, what I'm asking is whether, in addition to establishing that there were classification errors, the RCMP, in their new number of unfounded cases, are going to re-investigate, review, follow up to determine whether in fact those cases were unfounded.
As I mentioned earlier in this House, I was informed by the RCMP that they did do an investigation of those past cases. I'm not sure of the extent of that investigation as to whether they examined the evidence. I do know that they did look at those files that were identified as unfounded in that six-year period. I'm not certain as to the exact nature of that investigation.
Mr. Speaker, could the Minister commit to getting that information for us about exactly what kind of an investigation took place into those old files, including whether the evidence was re-examined?
The RCMP, Mr. Speaker, are, of course, independent of the Department of Justice. I will ask for an expansion of the information that I have been given so that I can supply that to the Members of this House.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister reported yesterday in his long response that, of those cases that were re-examined, 42 per cent were found to be third-party complaints and were unacceptable. What about the other 58 per cent? What was the reason that they were dismissed? Thank you.
Masi. Minister of Justice.
Yes, Mr. Speaker, the information provided to me by the RCMP indicated that 42 were third-party which were not proceeded with. I imagine the others were proceeded with because there was perhaps insufficient evidence or, possibly, the complaint was actually unfounded. Thank you.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.
