David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve accepted all of those recommendations that were contained in the report. We acknowledge the results aren’t as good as we would have liked them to be. The department has strong plans in place to address those issues. We also recognize that we need improvement in several areas of the corrections service. The OAG worked with staff to refine the direction and the areas where we needed to concentrate our efforts. As a result of the work currently underway, we’ll have a stronger, more modernized corrections service focused on rehabilitation and public safety.

I think we...

The context is going to be on the special constables and the role that they play here in the Northwest Territories, many of which are now elderly. The committee is reviewing options to conduct oral interviews that will preserve the valuable stories that all of these individuals would have. We’re also examining the possibility of producing a travelling display that could reach every community and be available in schools across the Northwest Territories. This would allow the history of the RCMP to be shared across the Northwest Territories, and we’re also exploring the option of a dedicated...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Of course, the RCMP has a long and historic significance to the Northwest Territories and to the people of the Northwest Territories. We have moved forward and I’m glad the Member is asking me these questions today. There is a need to preserve and share the extensive history of “G” Division here in the Northwest Territories. We’re currently working with a number of partners to develop a display and travelling educational pieces commemorating special constables and the seamstresses and interpreters and the guides that helped the RCMP officers survive here in the early...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Prices of fur did come off last year. As the auction was just held recently, I haven’t got the information back from the department on what prices fur was fetching at this auction, but I would be more than happy to provide the Member and other Members with an update as soon as I get that information.

That’s something I’ll have to go back to the department and ask them about. I’m not aware of any patents or copyrights on anything like that. That’s not to say that it may be worth something the department wants to look at, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Not to my knowledge, I don’t believe that’s happened yet. I know the department has initiated some jewellery workshops across the territory, and we’re looking forward to doing more things like that.

The issue with beading and, of course, the beadwork here in the Northwest Territories is it’s probably some of the best in the world. If the Member has somebody in one of his communities in the Sahtu who’s interested in trying to put a program like that together, that’s something that we’d be interested in hearing about and helping support. Thank you.

Again, I will go back to the department. As far as an investigation goes, I believe there was a report just done by the Auditor General. It has 14 recommendations. We agree with all 14 recommendations. We are taking steps to make improvements in our corrections service, and we will continue on that path with our accountability framework.

I continue to work with the senior management at the department, the deputy minister. I take the concerns highlighted by the Auditor General’s report very seriously, and as Members know, I’ve been here for going into my 12th year. I’ve had questions in the past regarding the corrections service here in the Northwest Territories. It is my objective here to make things better, to action these recommendations, and I certainly am intent on doing just that.

As far as the Member’s questions and concerns, I will have that discussion with the deputy minister and we’ll take things from there. Thank you.

Thank you. Years ago I did work at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre and I do know that they have some artifacts, RCMP artifacts. They had a nice RCMP display in the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre at the time. There also is an RCMP museum in Regina. So, I think it’s just going to be a case of us trying to put everything together, and if it’s talking to the folks at ECE and approaching the RCMP museum in Regina maybe to repatriate some of those artifacts back to the Northwest Territories, those conversations and actions will take place. Thank you.

The preservation of oral history, the gathering of artifacts, stories, photographs and mementos will flow from the work that is going to be done. Communities and elders will be engaged and they’ll be able to provide valuable insight into how we’re going to do this. As far as timeline goes, in early April the first team will be heading to Fort McPherson to start the interviewing process and record memories for generations to come to hear about those early days as part of a unique interactive display that we’re going to be putting together.

This committee is targeting Canada’s 150th Anniversary...