Debates of February 4, 2021 (day 52)

Date
February
4
2021
Session
19th Assembly, 2nd Session
Day
52
Members Present
Hon. Diane Archie, Hon. Frederick Blake Jr., Mr. Bonnetrouge, Hon. Paulie Chinna, Ms. Cleveland, Hon. Caroline Cochrane, Hon. Julie Green, Mr. Jacobson, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Lafferty, Ms. Martselos, Ms. Nokleby, Mr. Norn, Mr. O'Reilly, Ms. Semmler, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek
Topics
Statements

Question 501-19(2): Addressing Employee Issues at North Slave Correctional Complex

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just have one last question for the Minister of Justice in regard to the employee assessment and the follow-up work that they're doing. I believe I'll steal some words from Minister Wawzonek where she said, "We have to get it right." I think this is one of those instances where we do have to get this right, and so I'd like to know what the Minister has set up and what his department has set up for people who work in corrections who don't feel like this is going well or feel like they need a voice or a path to be able to say to the Minister, "This is not going well. This is not being addressed." I'd like to know that that is happening in a safe space and in a confidential space. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Minister of Justice.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think a feedback loop is the most important thing in terms of communication. We have to know what the people on the front line are thinking. That's where the expertise lies in the day-to-day operations, and if we don't have that, this is all for naught. This is going to fail. If someone feels like they are not being heard, they can talk to their supervisor. If that's where the problem is, you can talk to the union. If you still feel like you're not being heard, talk to the ADM. If that doesn't get you anywhere, talk to the deputy minister. This is actually what the deputy minister in the department has been saying since day one, since this initiative rolled out. That's how serious they are about communication. Since when does a deputy minister tell front-line staff, "Call me if you have a problem," but that's what we're doing.

That's why I feel that, despite the Member's statement earlier where she tried to take the wind out of my sails, maybe, about the possibility of success, I do feel confident that we can be successful here because there is commitment right from the deputy minister all the way down. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much for that to the Minister. I appreciate that. I think that, sometimes, when you work on the front lines, it can be very intimidating to call up a deputy minister. I can assure the public that the deputy minister of Justice is very approachable, but I'd also like to encourage people to reach out to their MLAs. It's why they're here. If they feel like they can't approach a deputy minister, I really would like people in the corrections industry to not feel fearful about passing information through their MLAs, and we'll be sure to follow up with the Minister on the floor of the House.