Louis Sebert

Yes, we can provide the timelines. I don't know how useful they will be because of the very different types of cases and very different lengths of time it takes to resolve them, but yes, we will obtain those timelines.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table to following two documents entitled "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 84-18(3): Historical Case Unit within the RCMP" and "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 96-18(3): Gangs in Correctional Centres in the NWT." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Goldney does.

It could be something such as a child protection matter or something like that that would require urgent intervention by the courts. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I am not certain of the duration of the patrols. I was under the impression that that might be about a day each, but I understand that there was some discussion with the Fort Simpson detachment about increasing the number of patrols. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Well, we simply don't think that this will affect access to justice at all. I think those jurisdictions to the south of us that have gone to this type of system have not decided to go back to the old system of having a court reporter present in virtually all court proceedings. We simply don't think it is necessary anymore. I don't think it affects access to justice. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Of course, that would vary considerably with the complexity of the estate matter that is being reviewed. We can perhaps provide committee with or attempt to get some averages, but there's probably a pretty wide variety in times that these things might take. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The fees, in my view, when the contemplated reduction from 10 to 5 per cent goes through, are very reasonable. Again, they are fees that are assessed on the land value. If your property had a value of $40,000, which would be a very large lot, the 5 per cent of that would be $2,000. If you are a senior, it would be reduced to $1,000. I think those fees are reasonable. The government does have to collect revenue from some sources to fund all of our programs.

Yes. Of course, we follow the direction of the territorial government with respect to affirmative action programs. I understand that, of the 329, which includes relief workers, there are 119 Indigenous Aboriginal, 57 Indigenous non-Aboriginal, and 153 non-Aboriginal. Yes, we would like to increase the number of Indigenous Aboriginal corrections officers. We do make efforts to encourage them to apply.

I don't think we are too much different from the government as a whole. We follow the same policies. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I haven't had a chance to review the report as it just came out very recently. I know last year we had concerns with the methodology involved, which I understand likely is also a concern this year. I do know that we have one of the most comprehensive legal aid plans in North America. We cover a great number of matters that are not covered elsewhere. That might skew the statistics somewhat. I think Mr. Goldney has some additional information though, and I'd ask if I might defer the rest of the answer to him. Thank you.