Louis Sebert

Perhaps Mr. Hagen might respond.

Yes, the properties are assessed by MACA and on that basis the evaluation of what the rent or lease amount should be, so it's evidence-based.

Mr. Chair, the current contract will come to an end at the end of June. We are anticipating that the new contractor, if there is a new contractor, will be up and going at that time. Thank you.

Mr. Chair, it was really a question of bringing in a very experienced warden who had experience, as I understand, it in both the Yukon and in British Columbia with the full understanding that this person would only be there temporarily to assist and mentor staff in both Fort Smith and Hay River. Thank you.

Yes, Mr. Chair. I mean, the issue is before the judiciary. We are sort of looking at ways that we might make the system more efficient. There is a long tradition, going back to Justice Sissons and Moreau, of going to every community, but we here are wondering whether that is now still the most efficient system. We are optimistic that we can reduce costs. Certainly, the judiciary is aware of our concerns in this area. Obviously, we can't direct them to not go on circuit or anything like that, but they are aware of the concern. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I will keep the Member's office appraised of any developments that are under our jurisdiction. I understand also that the oil company or the transmission company, Enbridge, does as a courtesy advise us of difficulties or issues that they are facing. There has not been a cutback in the number of inspectors that Lands has. I realize of course that this is a serious issue, and I can advise that the department will be monitoring it carefully.

Mr. Chair, as I mentioned at the outset, the number of inspectors is not being cut; the money allocated for travel for inspections is being reduced. It's simply a function of the fact that there is less activity out on the land. Certainly, if that changed radically we would have to look at an increase, but we're not anticipating any drastic increase in this upcoming year, therefore we've made this projection that the money we set aside for inspections is sufficient. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I do.

Although the number does go up and down, certainly, I have seen higher ones at other times, but I think this is more or less within the average. There is probably a range of numbers, but I don't think this is anything out of the ordinary, neither extraordinarily high nor extraordinarily low. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Well, with respect to the criminal law cases, the courts, of course, go on circuit and at least in some of the communities I believe the lawyers go in a day or so early. Obviously, it's not ideal, but it is the system we've been using for many, many years. The courts do visit virtually every community, so certainly there couldn't have been community clinics in every community. At least when I was involved, we used to go up to Inuvik a day or so before court started so we could interview people. As I say, not the ideal circumstance, but we simply could not staff the clinic in Inuvik properly...