David Ramsay

It’s unclear to me against whom the charges would be pursued. I’m not sure if the Member could clarify just who we should be charging and under what sections of the Corrections Act. Thank you.

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...

Whether the Member likes it or not, it is the responsibility of the RCMP. We will continue to work with the RCMP to ensure our communities are safe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is a line that, of course, the RCMP makes the decision on. They have to weigh a number of factors before they consider notifying the public. Perhaps we could engage the RCMP if Members want a briefing on how this works. I’d be happy to have the RCMP sit down with the Standing Committee on Social Programs and we can go over the hows and whys of public notification.

The RCMP has recently filled its Aboriginal proactive recruiter position. The recruiter will be travelling throughout the Northwest Territories to actively recruit persons for all categories of jobs and positions with the RCMP. If the Member is aware of any people in his communities that are interested in the Community Constable Program, I’d encourage him to have them contact the RCMP or our new Aboriginal proactive recruiter so that they can hopefully get into the program this coming June. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we have had folks participate in what was the Aboriginal Community Constable Program. That was a pilot project and that’s since evolved into the Community Constable Program. There’s another intake this coming June in Regina. We’ve had four applicants. Two are active and we’re looking across the territory for other interested candidates to take part in that Community Constable Program in Regina. Thank you.

Public safety matters to the RCMP and it matters to me, and again, that discussion will happen. Thank you.

As I mentioned, the RCMP are there to protect our communities. We have a number of people employed at the Department of Justice through our probation services. People are there. Policies are in place to protect our communities, protect our public. Again, some of the questions the Member is asking me today, really, I find somewhat insulting to people who are putting their lives on the line every day going to work and also keeping our communities safe. Thank you.

We have a contract with the RCMP. That is their job. That is their role. We respect the role that the RCMP plays for us.

Again, I will reiterate, we will continue to work with them to ensure that the best practices are in place to ensure that our communities are safe.

Of course, I take the safety of our community very seriously. I will continue to work with the RCMP to ensure that communities across the Northwest Territories are as safe as they possibly can be.