Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today we’re talking about bullying. Bullying is most prevalent in the young people population, but it’s all over. My question is to the Minister of Justice. It’s essential that we have peace officers, like one of the symbols that we have here in the North and across Canada are RCMP officers.
To the Minister’s knowledge, have any young people from the NWT participated in the RCMP’s Aboriginal Pre-Cadet Training Program? Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Minister of Justice, Mr. Ramsay.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we have had folks participate in what was the Aboriginal Community Constable Program. That was a pilot project and that’s since evolved into the Community Constable Program. There’s another intake this coming June in Regina. We’ve had four applicants. Two are active and we’re looking across the territory for other interested candidates to take part in that Community Constable Program in Regina. Thank you.
It’s essential that relationship building happens between RCMP and the community. So as such, has the Department of Justice considered its own version of the RCMP program? I have in mind a community-based policing program where young people are mentored not only by experienced police officers but also by caring and strong community elders. Mahsi.
It is very important that the RCMP continue to foster a strong working relationship with communities across the Northwest Territories. We’ve done a great deal of work in that regard helping communities establish policing plans, working with communities, the leadership of communities. We’re also moving into community safety plans now across the Northwest Territories, and again working with leaders and community members. We’re going to arrive at that. Through the Community Constable Program we will get constables into communities in the Northwest Territories that are going to provide the RCMP with cultural awareness and community awareness and help the RCMP in achieving their goals and objectives in keeping our community safe. Thank you.
I’d like to thank the Minister for his reply. He indicated at the outset that there have been two applicants, and I think the Department of Justice could try to assist communities to increase those numbers.
Will the Minister consider introducing a community-based mentoring project beginning with a handful of small communities? Will the Minister work with the RCMP, other policing officers and community elders to make this happen? Mahsi.
The RCMP has recently filled its Aboriginal proactive recruiter position. The recruiter will be travelling throughout the Northwest Territories to actively recruit persons for all categories of jobs and positions with the RCMP. If the Member is aware of any people in his communities that are interested in the Community Constable Program, I’d encourage him to have them contact the RCMP or our new Aboriginal proactive recruiter so that they can hopefully get into the program this coming June. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Nadli.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the time for innovation is here, especially when this department has undertaken along with this government the on-the-land program, and we’re kind of making it up as we go. So, there’s an opportunity to perhaps reach out into the community.
Once again, will the Minister consider doing a community-based mentoring project with the RCMP so that experienced police officers and, at the same time, community elders are involved with trying to mentor young Aboriginal people to become RCMP officers? Mahsi.
The Member brings up a good point in trying to get the elders involved in the communities and the RCMP. This is something I’d like to take back to the RCMP. Of course, they are our partner in this, the Department of Justice, the RCMP and the communities, and we will get a response for the Member. I like his idea. Any way that we can encourage young people to get involved in the RCMP and protecting our communities and making them safe, that’s a good step in the right direction. I thank the Member for his suggestion.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
