Louis Sebert

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will give some brief outline about the resource centre/library, and then if I may defer to my deputy minister here.

Now, the old library on the first floor is still open to lawyers and others by appointment. I think they've only had one non-lawyer, one or two at most, seeking to get into the library. It's not as though there's nothing there. We are making plans for a resource centre.

Perhaps at this point I could turn the matter over to Mr. Goldney and he could provide some further information. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

My understanding is that the lease is up in 2021, but there's an option for a five-year extension to 2026, I assume. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, Mr. Chair, I think we are looking at somewhat of a scaleddown project, but if I might defer to the deputy minister for details? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. There are two major projects we are talking about in this area of security. One is to install fencing in response to the incident, the escape that took place in August of 2016, and the other is to mark the property line of the facility.

With respect to the critical incident response, if I can use that term, that is to secure the yard used for inmate programs. Again, it was obvious that security had to be enhanced after the escape in 2016, and my understanding is that, since that time, this portion of the facility has not been used. A budget was approved for this work, and...

Yes, I would like to bring in witnesses, please.

As this House knows, we have invested a considerable amount of money in this project. We do not want to cut that loose unless there appears to be no hope at all of getting these generators. If, however, it does come to that, we will have to go out for an RFP because we do need these generators.

This is an important issue, of course, Mr. Speaker, because we would like to have the inmates to again have access to this portion of the facility. I do not have an exact date to provide to this House when this work will be done, but it is an important project. We are working on it, and I will keep the House informed. Thank you.

Yes, we can provide a written update.

I just want to point out, however, that it's not as though any of the materials in the old library have been disposed of to this point. The full collection is there. It's not being updated as it once was, admittedly, but the old collection is still there. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, this of course is an important project. As I mentioned the other day, we did go out for bids for this project, and, unfortunately, the response from the contractors who submitted tenders was way above the money that had been approved for this work. We therefore are looking at a revised approach to secure the yard from which the inmate escaped, and I will certainly keep this House informed as to progress. The original idea was to, in essence, put up a new interior fence. That proved to be much too expensive, so we are looking at other alternatives to secure this area. Hopefully once...

As mentioned, the current library, of course, is open to the public. Opening a new resource centre will depend on the nature and type of renovations that we decide to do, if any. As has been mentioned, the issue of renovations appears much more complicated than we had originally anticipated. Thank you, Mr. Chair.