Louis Sebert

Individuals, Mr. Chair, will still have the option of doing their own research online, as I mentioned yesterday when asked about this issue. Only about one per cent of those using the current library are members of the general public, that is to say not lawyers or judges. It doesn’t seem that the public is using this facility very much. I can’t really speak to what’s going on in other jurisdictions, but we simply do not believe that the huge cost that is incurred is worthwhile anymore. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, the Member is quite correct. The Public Utilities Board, PUB, did not approve the Northwest Territories Power Corporation’s interim rate application that was to have come into effect on June 1st. NTPC will reapply for an interim rate, the same 4.8 per cent increase when it submits it GRA later this month with an anticipated effective date of August 1st, 2016. We’re not anticipating much loss or any loss of money in a significant amount.

Mr. Chair, the program is going to be evaluated at the end of the year. I believe a contract has been let with an organization that will evaluate the program. I believe we are hoping to get that report back by the ends of the year. Perhaps Ms. Haener can provide more detail. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, of course, court schedules and everything are far beyond our control; that’s up to the judiciary. I know that the judiciary is very aware of the issue of people on remand; it’s an issue everywhere. As I say, we have the best or one of the best records of getting people to court so that they will spend the shortest period of time on remand. It’s an issue the judiciary and we are alive to, and I think we are doing far better than most jurisdictions. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, Mr. Chair. This had to do with the prosecution of criminal matters in which witnesses were required. I understand this is now a federal responsibility, as is the conduct of prosecutions generally. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, the program is at a sunset phase, if I can put it that way, at this current time. Certainly it could be considered, or some program like this could be considered, in the next business program. Thank you.

Mr. Chair, I do know that large law firms are certainly getting rid of their collections. When I started in this business many years ago as a lowly articling student in Toronto, one of the assets of every firm was seen to be their library. They don’t have libraries anymore simply because they’re not needed. I don’t know the exact expenditures in other provincial jurisdictions, but I imagine they are likely for the same reasons reducing their expenditures in this area. They would be in the same position in that they have asked majority of users now would be online, and it’s very hard to justify...

As I mentioned earlier, Mr. Speaker, we are working on this and we would hope to have such a plan by the end of the year.

Yes. Mr. Chair, there are probation officer positions affected. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, Mr. Chair, I can share that information. There currently 100 people on remand. That’s composed of 89 at NSCC, seven at the Fort Smith correctional centre for women, and four at the correctional centre for men in Fort Smith. Thank you, Mr. Chair.