Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have questions for the Minister of Justice on my Member's statement on family violence. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister a question on the 2007 needs survey which was conducted by the GNWT and the Coalition Against Family Violence, entitled "NWT Family Violence Attitudinal Survey." I'm wondering if the Department of Justice, in conjunction with other departments, is planning to conduct another family violence survey like the one that was done in 2007? Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Justice.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Member opposite for his questions. At this time, we're not aware of any plans for another attitudinal survey. The survey of 2007, some 11 years ago, was helpful in confirming the prevalence of this problem in the Northwest Territories, and we know that the problem has continued through the use of shelters, the rates of emergency protection orders, EPOs, crime statistics, and other measures. Now, I can advise that the GNWT is developing a comprehensive approach to addressing family violence. The goal of this work is to identify best practices, align existing GNWT work, and identify priority areas for investment over the coming decade.
Mr. Speaker, did the results of the 2007 family-violence survey have an impact on policies of the Department of Justice? If so, what specific measures or policies to date are a direct result of this survey?
I can appreciate the question, and I know that the Member appreciates that I wasn't here in 2007. However, I can point to certain improvements that have been made since that time. As Members will know, the DVTO Court is very active, and we have such programs as A New Day, so there have been improvements in the system which are being utilized. DVTO, I'm not sure when it started, but it has been in existence for some time, and the A New Day program is newer, I believe, but also has been a success. We believe that these types of programs will reduce the amount of family violence. I mentioned that these programs are successful. Clearly, we need greater success to reduce the terrible level of family violence in the Northwest Territories, but we have taken steps.
Mr. Speaker, since the completion of that previously mentioned 2007 family violence survey, has the perception of the Department of Justice changed regarding the way it handles cases relating to family violence?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the department fully realized the seriousness of this item, and it is of course a shared priority amongst several departments. I mentioned that we are developing a comprehensive approach to addressing family violence, and maybe I can talk a little bit about the first steps that we are taking. The first phase will be focused on research and analysis and will result in a comprehensive strategy recommendation based on evidence and interjurisdictional analysis of best practices, consultation with northern researchers is in progress, and we hope to have preliminary results in early 2019.
In the second phase, we will be dealing directly with stakeholders and consulting with them on the results of the research so that we can receive meaningful guidance as to where we should proceed in the future. As I mentioned, we have certain programs in place. Clearly, those can be improved, and we're always looking for new ideas.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Justice has some role in the agreement between the RCMP and the Department of Justice. I would like to ask the Minister if that department, or him specifically, meets regularly with RCMP to talk about ways to address the combatting of family violence?
I thank the Member opposite for his question. I meet regularly with the RCMP and will certainly bring up this specific issue. There are many issues that we do discuss, but, clearly, crime reduction is very important amongst them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
