Louis Sebert

Mr. Chair, the system proposed by the Member, I suggest, would be a nightmare. We'd have a checkerboard system. It is clear, and everybody understands, that incomes are lower in some of our small communities. That is definitely the case, but that's an issue that can be addressed in other manners. These numbers were arrived at after a good deal of consideration, looking at inflation rates and the need to cover our costs. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I can advise that, in a general sense, of course, we want to provide the best policing services we can to all 33 communities. Each of the 33 communities does have policing action plans developed between the local RCMP and the community, so those are some of our priorities. Thank you

We are attempting to answer this question. I am wondering if the Member could identify where he is pointing to on the community justice page?

Of course the funds allocated to them have to be approved here. I understand they submit their own budget. Perhaps Mr. Goldney would like to expand on that a bit. I am not absolutely sure of the process.

Mr. Speaker, the issue raised by the Member opposite is a problem generated with civil judgments that collection is always difficult, whether it is a judgment for arrears or on a contract. I don't think the problems are any greater in this situation as they are in any other civil cases, so I don't think we are contemplating change of legislation.

The whole point of the Residential Tenancies Act was to establish a balance between landlord and tenant. I do appreciate that that balance, when it comes to residences as opposed to commercial tenancies, is somewhat weighted in favour of the tenant...

I wonder if Mr. Hagen could be allowed to expand on that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I believe that we were looking for a program that might have more flexibility. There was a fairly significant dropout rate, and, hopefully, the request for proposals will contain within it provisions that will require the provider of the service to provide a perhaps more flexible program. Perhaps the deputy minister could add something to that. Thank you.

Often, the numbers of those in need of these specialized services who are actually serving penitentiary time are not all that numerous, so I don't think we would have the numbers required to set up specialized services here in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Yes, we can make that commitment.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am not certain of all of the consideration that went into the manner in which the two functions were divided, but I am very pleased to hear that Members are interested in us having the department act more efficiently. As I say, it certainly could be a matter for consideration in the future, that these two functions be combined. Further to that, I have really nothing to add except, as I say, I am very glad to see the Members are interested in efficiencies. Thank you, Mr. Chair.