Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today in my Member’s statement I shared my dismay on the way our Department of Justice is handling our corrections services. Ironically, the office of the Auditor General agrees with me.
As set out in our NWT Corrections Act, there are consequences and processes clearly defined for the contravention of the act. My questions today are for the Minister-designate. Without belabouring the long list of contraventions and violations of this act in the wake of the recent Auditor General’s report, can the Premier indicate if the Department of Justice reviewed its legal obligations and responsibilities for the administration of its correctional facilities as per the Corrections Act? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Honourable Premier, Mr. McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Justice has accepted all of the recommendations of the office of the Auditor General and has made a lot of progress and introduced a lot of changes already. If the audit had been done now, it would have been a very different audit. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Clause 49(1) of the NWT Corrections Act states: “The Minister may appoint persons to investigate and inquire into any matter connected or affecting the administration and operation of the corrections service or correctional centre.”
Can the Premier, given the seriousness of the circumstances, indicate to the House when such an investigation will take place? Thank you.
I will take that question and respond very quickly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Clarification, Mr. Premier?
I thank the Member for the question. I will get the information and respond to him as soon as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Dolynny.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Section 52 of the act under general offences and punishment reads: “A person other than an inmate who (a) contravenes this act or the regulations, or (b) conducts himself or herself in a manner that is detrimental to the good order and discipline of a correctional centre, is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or both.”
Can be Premier indicate to the House, will the Minister of Justice authorize an independent investigation into whether charges should be laid under Section 52 for alleged contraventions of the act and its regulations? Thank you.
We just received the Auditor General report today. It was just tabled yesterday, so I will have to take the question as notice. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli.
