Debates of November 30, 2007 (day 6)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Justice, Mr. Lafferty, in regard to a situation that occurred in Fort McPherson regarding a young lady that passed on. Before she passed on, apparently she was in police custody. She was arrested, put into police custody, released to the health centre, and then later put back into the jail, and then later released on her own recognizance. Later, she passed away. So I’d like to ask the Minister, exactly was there an investigation by the RCMP or by anybody in Justice and the Department of Health to look at the circumstances of this and, also, suspicious or not, is there a report on this particular incident?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for Justice, Mr. Lafferty.

Return To Question 95-16(1): Investigative Follow-up To Death Of Constituent In Fort McPherson

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for the particular incident, the department is looking into that. When Mr. Krutko first approached me, I notified my department to say has there been any investigation and so forth. So it has been brought to my attention. I’ll certainly be more than willing to share that information once it’s in my hands. At this time, Mr. Speaker, I don’t have that detailed information. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Supplementary To Question 95-16(1): Investigative Follow-up To Death Of Constituent In Fort McPherson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to also thank the Minister for continuing to look into this matter, but I believe it’s severe enough, I hate to call for a public inquiry into this, but I think it does include other agencies: the Department of Health, Justice, and also in regard to the RCMP. So I think it’s important that we do it right, we look at this. So I’d like to ask the Minister if he could also include the Minister of Health in regards to the health side of this situation where it included the health centre in Fort McPherson. So I’d like to ask the Minister if he could also include his colleague on this report.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Lafferty.

Further Return To Question 95-16(1): Investigative Follow-up To Death Of Constituent In Fort McPherson

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with these kind of incidents, there are various parties involved. The coroner area, their office. Also the Department of Health and Social Services and our Department of Justice. Certainly I will be working closely with my colleague and also the coroner and see what they have on file. Again, I committed to, and I am willing to share that information with Mr. Krutko. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Supplementary To Question 95-16(1): Investigative Follow-up To Death Of Constituent In Fort McPherson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I’d like to thank the Minister for that. But I think we kind of lose sight of the family members who are affected by this. I’d like to ask the Minister, once the report is concluded, if an effort could be made, either by himself or someone within his department, to sit down with the family and explain what the findings of that report is?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Lafferty.

Further Return To Question 95-16(1): Investigative Follow-up To Death Of Constituent In Fort McPherson

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, once the report is due, then we’ll certainly make that effort to meet with the Member and also the family. We’ll have our department conduct that. Mahsi.