Masi, Madam Speaker. [Translation] I want to ask the Department of Justice a question regarding there is supposed to be a new RCMP station in Whati. I would like to ask him questions regarding the Justice Department. [End of translation] I have questions for the Minister of Justice pertaining to the process of how we allocate a structure from one community to another community. I am referring to the RCMP detachment out of Whati to Gameti within the same region. I'd like to know from the Minister: what would be the process to establish that type of dialogue within my region and the other players involved? Masi.
Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Minister of Justice.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I've had conversations with the Member about this. I was supposed to meet with the chief of Gameti, but our schedules didn't line up during this time, which isn't unusual; but I look forward to that conversation. The detachment in Whati is being replaced. It's a federal asset, and there is a process by which the federal government surplus their goods. That's the process we would have to follow. We did reach out to the commanding officer of "G" Division, and he said he is open to having that conversation to see if that can be surplused. Now, it's just a matter of advancing those conversations, and I'm happy to do that. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
[Translation] As we stand here today, regarding the Ministers, they are responsible for each department, and they also work with the RCMP. [End of translation] Does the Minister agree that the Whati RCMP detachment should stay within the region, from Whati to Gameti? Gameti badly needs an RCMP detachment to hold those individuals who are causing issues in the community.
The detachment in Whati right now, I believe it's about 30 years old. It's being replaced because it's no longer up to the RCMP standards. If the detachment were to be moved to Gameti, it wouldn't be positioned as an RCMP detachment. They are getting rid of it because they don't want to use it as a detachment. That being said, in Gameti, I know, even when I was there years ago, the chief brought this up that, if someone is detained while the RCMP are in the community, they keep them in the back of the truck for however long they need to, or they put them in the community government office. There is not a good system in place to hold people who are detained. If this asset was transferred, it doesn't meet RCMP standards, but I don't believe an office or the back of a cruiser would, either, in terms of that. I can't say whether or not I believe it should be. I'm not sure what condition the building is in, what the cost would be to move this building. There're a lot of these variables. In some instances, it's very expensive to try and lift up a building and haul it and set it up somewhere else, and it might fall apart along the way. There is a lot to look into. However, it could be an improvement over what is in place now, and like I said, I am happy to look into that.
I would like to ask the Minister about the process in also engaging the community, the community chiefs, and my Tlicho Government. I would like to know from the Minister what kind of engagement has taken place so far with respect to RCMP, the Commissioner, and also at the federal level within the Justice Department and my leadership. Could the Minister provide me with an update of what has been happening or what would be the process of engaging those parties?
As I stated earlier, the Member was an intermediary between me and the chief in Gameti, and we were supposed to meet. Things did not line up, and so we have not had that meeting yet, but I am happy to have those meetings, work with the Member, and meet with the Tlicho Government. We have already reached out to the RCMP, and now we need to take that next step. I have told the department we need to take that next step sooner than later, so the wheels are turning. I am committed to moving forward with this and exploring any options that we have and including the Member and updating the Member as we make process.
Thank you, Minister. Member for Monfwi. Final supplementary.
Masi, Madam Speaker. [Translation] Today, in Gameti, they have been asking for the station for a long time. We have two RCMP in the community. Sometimes, when they are in a situation, where are they going to hold the people? They do not have any place. They have a small building that they hold people there, which is not right, so I would like to ask the Minister a question. [Translation ends] Obviously, the community of Gameti has been pushing an RCMP detachment for a number of years, and I think this is a great opportunity for us. Yes, it may not be suitable, but it is a facility that can be utilized in some form or fashion in Gameti. What I am after, Madam Speaker, is: can we expedite this process where, during -- the winter road's coming from Whati to Gameti, if we can reach out to RCMP division, the federal counterparts, to expedite the process, so at least try to make it before this winter road or the following winter road if it's possible? The community is badly expressing a need for a detachment in Gameti. Masi, Madam Speaker.
When the federal government is involved, I cannot really commit to expediting. It's just the nature of the beast. However, I told the department that it's probably been a month since this first came up and that I want to start moving on it immediately, so I am doing my best. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Thebacha.
