Debates of November 28, 2007 (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister responsible for Justice. Mr. Speaker, we don’t have enough police resources in our community. As I said in my Member’s statement, our numbers have diminished in the last 25 years -- we’re going backwards -- and yet the demands on our police resources have increased. The projected future looks like there will be more increase with resource development and a lot of other development on the horizon. So the demands are growing and the resources are diminishing. Hay River is the second largest community in the Northwest Territories. We don’t have 24-hour RCMP coverage except to call a member back who’s off duty who’s on call. We don’t have a local 24-hour communication centre. The RCMP is an institution which I recognize is under pressure in the area of recruitment and retention, as well; however, the demand in the communities demands a response from this government. I would like to ask the Minister of Justice if this government has contemplated, or would contemplate, the reinstitution of something like the Special Constable RCMP Program that used to exist in years past? I think that one of the benefits of that would be that you would have people who consistently live in the community. The RCMP are transferred into the community; they have to get familiar with it, but just about the time that they get to know people and the lay of the land, it’s time to transfer someplace else. I think a local resident NWT Special Constable Program would be a great underpinning and support to local RCMP members. I’d like to know what the government thinks of that idea. Thank you.

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

Return To Question 35-16(1): Policing Resources In Communities

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Member’s question in this specific area because it has been a real critical issue in the community and also for the Northwest Territories. Yes, this has been an issue nationally, as well. I just came back from a Winnipeg meeting with the Justice Ministers from provincial, territorial and federal, and this was an issue; our jurisdiction and also Nunavut. We talked about various options and at the national level they’re talking about introducing the bylaws, introducing community policing; the special constable was one of them. That’s an ongoing discussion and we’re hoping that we’ll see some positive results out of that in the early new year. Then again, the senior staff with the RCMP and our Justice department are working closely towards that initiative. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 35-16(1): Policing Resources In Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When you look across the country, Mr. Speaker, it’s not unprecedented for a jurisdiction to have its own police force. We were about to spend a million dollars as a government on the safer communities and neighbourhoods legislation, which was a level of enforcement as well. There were problems; it didn’t go through, but I would like to see some resources committed to the home-grown development, training and teaching through the college of a territorial police force. I’d like to know how soon we could expect a reaction from the government on that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Lafferty.

Further Return To Question 35-16(1): Policing Resources In Communities

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, the point is clearly taken that those could be part of the priorities and planning. The document will be introduced by this Assembly and that could be a part of the ongoing discussions with the second priorities for the communities. I’m looking forward to that and working with the colleagues, as well. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 35-16(1): Policing Resources In Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement, Mr. Speaker, I mentioned that there were many, many questions that have arisen in our community with respect to the tragic loss of an RCMP member. We plan to reconvene a meeting a January. Again, we hope to have some answers at that meeting, but I also think it would be good to have some representatives of the departments there to interact with the people in our community directly. I’d like to ask the Minister if he would be amenable to himself personally coming there and talking about the issue of policing in our community in January. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Lafferty.

Further Return To Question 35-16(1): Policing Resources In Communities

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to have a communication dialogue with the communities. I was there during the ceremonial event and I would be glad to go back there again. I will certainly make a commitment to visit the community. Mahsi.