Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Premier. Yesterday in the House I asked the Premier about the numbers that were used to justify the reductions in the services in Justice in Hay River, and the Premier shared with me that the Audit Bureau of the Finance department would be looking at the methodology in these numbers. I have to say that I want to thank the Premier for that because, regardless of the outcome, I see it as some small step of progress on this subject which I’ve been harping about for some time now. I want to thank the Premier for that. I would like...

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Next I have Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Next on the list, I have Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Justice. Mr. Speaker, it seems like this entire decision, with respect to the justice system, has all been based on cost savings. I have to say again today, Mr. Speaker, I do not believe those numbers. The $400,000; how that number was arrived at and how it was calculated is just not sound math or calculation in my opinion.

Mr. Speaker, I want an in-depth analysis of how much this is actually going to save. Because that is what we have narrowed it down to. This is only about saving money, this is not about fairness or...

I call Committee of the Whole to order. We have a number of items on the agenda before us today. What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe that over building infrastructure in Yellowknife should not constitute losses in the regions and other communities.

Mr. Speaker, would the Minister not agree that that is not unusual in terms of the territorial facilities that we have, such as River Ridge Territorial Treatment Centre and the Arctic Tern facility in Inuvik? As territorial facilities, it’s not unusual for there to be a group of people from the various regions. I understand why the Minister is making the point when he is referring to South Slave numbers, because he’s being asked by South Slave Members. In the context of the territorial facilities, is it not common to have people from all regions? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, besides there being room, what else is better about putting the inmates in remand in Yellowknife rather than Hay River? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on the issue of the Dene K’onia and the $1.5 million I believe the Minister said that it costs to operate the Dene K’onia, Mr. Speaker, he keeps referring, and so have other Members of the government kept referring, to a number of one. I believe that that open custody young offenders facility in Hay River can accommodate eight young people. He says there has recently only been one young offender accommodated there. I am going to ask the Minister is he going to stand by that number today in the House on the record? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize Dallas Stelmack and Matthew Lakusta, both Grade 8 students from the Diamond Jenness Secondary School in Hay River who have served in the House as Pages this week. Thank you.

---Applause