Louis Sebert

Mr. Chair, while there may be an increase from last year, I note that it is not that different than that 2014-15 actuals of $1,302,000. I don’t have long-term what the cost has been, however. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Perhaps, Mr. Chair, Ms. Haener could answer that.

Yes, Mr. Chair. We do that. We always compare our fees not only in this department, in all departments with other jurisdictions so that we can remain competitive. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Certainly, Mr. Chair, we would be prepared to provide such an update. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

My understanding, Mr. Chair, is the vast majority of the cost is hard copies. What you find with the subscriptions is that loose-leaf service is most of them, so they have to be put in the books, but they come every quarter depending on changes in the law, and they are, I know from personal experience, incredibly expensive.

Mr. Chair, no, they do not sign a waiver. In fact the Workers’ Compensation Act does not allow such waivers. People simply cannot waive the conditions and protections that are afforded by the act. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, of course. For example, just as one change we’ve made, I designated it a couple of months ago as a facility in which women prisoners on remand could be held. This was a significant problem in Yellowknife. Perhaps Ms. Haener can expand on my answer, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, due to the nature of the budgetary process, I didn’t feel as if I could go to them in advance, because that would be an indication of what we were doing in our budget. As I say, somewhat informally over the years I have spoken to other lawyers. I was the treasurer of the Law Society for a couple of years, and in that period of time I could see that we started reducing our contribution to the library. I couldn’t really, in detail, speak to the Law Society about this proposed change in advance of the budget coming out. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, as the House will note there is a review of the ATIPP Act being conducted at this very time and that is one of the matters that is going to be considered.

Mr. Chair, the organization that we have contracted with has undertaken, as I understand it, to deliver the evaluation of the program by the end of fall. Certainly, we wish to have seamless delivery of this program or this type of program on an ongoing basis. Thank you, Mr. Chair.