Louis Sebert

Mr. Speaker, as I had mentioned in the House earlier, we are having a report prepared, which we are eagerly awaiting. It is a comprehensive and rather expensive report. I haven't seen the report, I haven't seen even the early draft of it, but I'm sure it will have options. It may be that this type of program should be expanded, but we're waiting for the report to determine that.

Mr. Speaker, A New Day program is a community-based pilot program that takes place outside of the jail system. Certainly people currently in custody, who will ultimately of course be released, may be encouraged to take the full A New Day program once they are released.

Certainly, Mr. Speaker, we are committed to this type of program. But we are, again, waiting for the evaluation of the A New Day Program and we are very much looking forward to receiving that report.

As I said, we should be receiving it shortly. Again, we are committed to the type of program. We are very much looking forward to this evaluation, as we recognize that this is a very important issue within the Northwest Territories. So as soon as we get the report and have reviewed it in Cabinet, we will share it with the Members opposite. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Again, Mr. Speaker, we are waiting for the evaluation of the program. Certainly we recognize the concerns expressed about there being a gap, and we will try to address that matter once we have had a full review of the report.

Mr. Speaker, of course this is a priority under the mandate of this government and I think all Members will recall we had an interesting discussion on this very issue at the Caucus retreat in August. I expect to have a legislative proposal to committee on the establishment of the ombudsman in the first half of 2017.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents entitled "Northwest Territories Surface Rights Board 2016 Annual Report" and "Northwest Territories Surface Rights Board 2016-2017 Budget." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, as I've mentioned several times already, the government is interested and dedicated to this type of program. We are simply asking for time to evaluate the report that should be provided to me very shortly. Of course, I am aware of the Gladue case which was referred to by the Member opposite. The judiciary is aware of A New Day program. But, as I mentioned, it is a voluntary program, so I don't think it would be appropriate or wise to have a requirement to attend the program imposed as part of a probation order. The whole point of the program is voluntary for men in our community...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are programs in remand. I believe the name of the program is called A Partner Program. A New Day is a voluntary program and is not accessible to those in remand. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Members of this Committee feel that standing committees should strive to operate in a transparent manner consistent with the seven core principles for public engagement described above, and the Guiding Principles and Process Conventions for consensus government adopted by the Members of the 18th Assembly. The recent adoption of these Principles and Conventions has had an impact on some of the work that this Committee was tasked with in the original referral motion. A recent addition to these Principles states: “The business of consensus government should be carried out...

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following three documents entitled "Northwest Territories Hydro Corporation and Northwest Territories Power Corporation 2016 Annual Report," "Northwest Territories Hydro Corporation and Northwest Territories Power Corporation 2016-2017 Corporate Plan," and "Northwest Territories Coroner Service 2015 Annual Report." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.