Glen Abernethy

The two-month commitment was on the costing. I’d like to see that costing information as much as the Member and I’m committed to getting that information out. It is taking longer than I’d like, but it does take a little bit of time to do the level of analysis required.

As I’ve indicated, that doesn’t stop us from doing the work. We have pulled together a committee to begin the work on alternatives and diversions, and it’s not just in the courts. We’d like to divert people before they even enter the justice system. That includes working with the RCMP. I’ve had a number of discussions with the...

Thank you. The department in no way shape or form is waiting for these costs to start doing some work. We recognize that some work needs to be done. The government is focused on trying to find ways to keep people out of the justice system completely. We want to focus on alternatives and diversions. One of the things that we’re doing is we’re talking to other jurisdictions about the types of courts they have put in place, such as mental health courts, such as alcohol treatment courts or addictions courts. Those are things that we need to explore as a way to divert people out of the justice...

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to establishing a public service that is inclusive of all people and that accurately represents the population it serves. Today I would like to provide Members with an update on initiatives launched under 20/20: A Brilliant North, the Public Service Strategic Plan, that focus on diversity in the public service.

There are several government initiatives currently underway aimed at increasing the number of persons with disabilities in the public service. This is a segment of the population that we understand has historically...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize my wife, Carolyn Smith, in the gallery as well.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to update Members about the new office within the Department of Justice: the office of the children’s lawyer.

Under the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child, which Canada ratified in 1991, children have the right to be heard in proceedings affecting them. Canada has a legal obligation to ensure the provisions of the convention are met, yet very few jurisdictions in Canada have a system to offer independent counsel to children in legal proceedings affecting them to ensure that their voices are heard.

In October of this year the Department of Justice opened the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize two people: Wendy Uhlenberg, who is the negotiations advisor for the Alberta and Northwest Territories Aboriginal Policing Directorate; and Harley Crowshoe, who is the regional manager of the Alberta and Northwest Territories Aboriginal Policing Directorate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

During my conversation with the federal Minister of Justice in Ottawa, we talked about options to keep people out of the court system and we have agreed that our department, and the federal department and the territorial department are going to work together to come up with some options in this area. Diversions is certainly one of those areas. The departments will continue to have that conversation. As more information comes down, I am absolutely happy to share that with committee and with the Regular Members. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I can’t say exactly when we’ll actually see the recommendations come forward, but I have committed to work with the Department of Health and Social Services to come up with a working group that’s going to come up with these recommendations. I hope to have that to the Member shortly after Christmas, as far as when the actual recommendations come out. We might need a bit more time. I will continue to work on that.

Building on this is the conversation I had with the federal Minister on Monday. The federal Minister did indicate that they would be willing to work with us on options to help keep...

That would be the financially prudent and responsible thing to do, so that’s what we would be doing. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No. No, there isn’t.