Louis Sebert

Mr. Speaker, this government committed in its mandate to complete a framework for managing recreational leasing and completing a recreation management plan for the Yellowknife periphery area. In March, we fulfilled the first part of that commitment by releasing the Recreational Leasing Management framework, which will guide land management decisions for years to come. This framework outlines our vision, goals, and short-term and long-term priorities for improving the way we plan and manage recreational leases and other recreational uses. By working towards the goals in the framework, we aim to...

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that Bill 28, Interpretation Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we of course wish to use the limited resources at our disposal in the most effective manner possible. I do note that a very similar question was asked of another Minister in March of this year. The answer at that time was that we didn't think that would be the best use of money and that we would rather focus our money and efforts on prevention and healing. I concur with that.

Yes, Mr. Speaker. The 18th Assembly, of course, has identified family violence as a priority. We do recognize that this is a very serious issue and in fact, a crisis, in the Northwest Territories. Our department, along with other departments, does treat this issue very seriously.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I wonder if I could defer that question to Ms. Gardiner. Thank you.

I am not certain if I understand the question. Of course, the John Howard Society will be making its own arrangements as to whether the Tree of Peace wishes to employ these people as contractors. This is really up to the Tree of Peace, and I have no information as to whether that might be something of interest to them. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As I may have mentioned earlier, this of course is a program for men who are not in custody, but there are certain programs they can access in the custodial setting. However, we are hoping to have better connections with probation services. Perhaps those who have been in custody and are released, in completing their sentence, may be able to access the program more easily. Again, as I mentioned, in the future, should the program work out well, which we are certainly hoping for, we may be able to expand it to communities outside of Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We will have to examine the procurement guidelines to determine whether we are able to do that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I did not receive any direct feedback, so I am going to defer the question to Mr. Goldney, if I may.

Thank you. I am going to refer that question, if I may, to Martin Goldney, my deputy minister. Thank you.