Mr. Speaker, my first question for the Minister of Justice is: partnerships and relationships with the RCMP are important in small communities and regional centres. I am proud to say that I have a positive relationship with the commander of "G" Division and the local members of the RCMP at our local detachment. Enforcement in the drug trade is also important. Would the Minister relay the message to the commander of "G" Division of the concerns of the community of Fort Smith and the constituents of Thebacha?
Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Minister of Justice.
Mr. Speaker, absolutely. As I quite coincidentally was speaking about policing priorities, one of the roles that I have is to develop policing priorities that guide the unfolding of policing services across the Northwest Territories. I certainly heard that today and do intend, as I said earlier, to take that into account when developing those priorities. Yes. Absolutely, I will reach out to the commander of the detachment. We have regular meetings, but I will also engage with the Member more to ensure that there is input about these concerns when I am developing those priorities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Would the Minister consider asking the commander of "G" Division, or his or her designate, to meet with the community leaders of Fort Smith to address this major problem that is inflicting many members of our community and affecting family life?
I can certainly add the concerns raised here and, indeed, perhaps provide a copy of the Hansard of this Member's statement to the detachment commander to ensure that they are aware of those concerns that are being raised and encourage them to do what they can to engage directly. I can also ensure that, when we have meetings and engagements with communities, including with the community of Fort Smith, that I, too, am also being made aware of exactly the concerns by the community members directly from them so that we can continue to address them throughout the course of the next few years by the Department of Justice, as well.
Would the Minister consider that the commander of "G" Division, or his or her designate, meet with the two schools in Fort Smith to address the dangers of illegal drugs and the consequences of getting involved in the drug trade and the use of these substances?
Again, as I have said, I will certainly be raising with my counterpart at the RCMP, with my colleague at the RCMP, the concerns being raised on behalf of Thebacha. I know that going into the communities and going into the schools is a significant part of the work that the RCMP does. They spend a lot of time and a lot of effort making sure that they are continuing to be engaged in exactly that fashion. I am confident that they will continue to do that. I can also say that, on the part of community justice, which is within the Department of Justice, that we can look, too, to what is happening with our community justice committee in Fort Smith and ensure that they are making best efforts and all efforts to be engaged in the community and to reach out exactly as the Member has described to the youth in the community.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Thebacha.
Mr. Speaker, would the Minister ensure that the commander of "G" Division makes it a priority for the members of the Fort Smith detachment to make enforcement of criminal activity in the drug trade a priority?
I am not in a position to say what the police priority action plans will be that are developed between the RCMP and a specific community, but again, I can certainly look at the policing priorities that are developed on the Ministerial level. Then we'll certainly have engagement again with our RCMP and to speak to them about the concerns that are being raised. I am confident that, when they go through their own process with the community, it is a direct engagement. I have asked them in the past about that process and sought assurance that they are developing their community policing action plans in a timely fashion and with direct engagement from the community. I will continue to have those conversations with the RCMP, and I am confident that, certainly, from the detachment level, they also recognize the importance of that direct community engagement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
