Louis Sebert

I think or I detect that behind this question is a concern that has been expressed with respect to some former governments, perhaps federal ones, that muzzled scientists. I can assure you that that will not happen with this government.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government did not consult with Indigenous organizations with respect to this policy. The policy creates the authority for the government to establish its own internal procedures to meet the requirements of the current legislative environment. Now, of course, ultimately when decisions are made we must and do follow and abide by our responsibility as under section 35 of the Constitution. Thank you.

I know that the government has approved contribution for land use capacity in the last several years: in 2017-2018, it was $375,000; in 2016-2017, $427,000; and in 2015-2016, $459,000. There is a commitment backed up with actual financial contribution to advance regional land claims.

Now, I do know also that the Department of Lands held its third annual Land Use Planning Forum in March 2017 to share information and perspective. We are committing both personnel and finances to this important subject.

I would hope not, and that exactly was the problem, is that -- hope springs eternal -- the problem was, frankly, that the bids came in at far, far higher than we had expected. As I said last year, good fences make good neighbours, but we have to keep costs in mind. We're hoping with respect to the critical incident response by improving the security in that area that a more modest yet appropriate security system can be set up so that the inmates can again use this area of the facility.

Of course, the RCMP is a federal agency and have their own procurement rules, but I am happy to have our department working with the RCMP to see if efficiencies and cost savings can be found.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The department is working closely with "G" Division to develop a business case to support additional policing resources in the community and is working its way through the GNWT planning process for 2018-2019. We have heard not only from the Member opposite but from the RCMP about this request, which does seem reasonable. Thank you.

I understand that the last time that the remand centre was used in Hay River was 2005. Inmates on remand are considered high-risk, and for that reason they have to be housed in a medium- or maximum-security facility, and currently the facility in Hay River is minimum-security. Housing remand inmates in that facility would hinder the operations, simply because the facility, as I mentioned, is minimum-security, not medium or maximum, which is required.

I do know that there is a lot of traffic of prisoners back and forth to court, and that can add some additional expenses. I am hoping that members...

The department and the RCMP have formed a committee to review current practices and recommend the most effective model for providing prisoner security. Currently we are looking at the situation in Yellowknife, and this would appear to make sense in many ways.

I know that, in Nunavut, I think exclusively in Iqaluit, the sheriffs have taken over duties that were formerly conducted by the RCMP. We will be looking at this, initially for the Yellowknife courthouse, but perhaps, after that, looking at other communities where this might also create efficiencies.

Yes. I am here to present Bill 24, An Act to Amend the Coroners Act.

I would like to thank the Standing Committee on Social Development for their review of this bill, and for the constructive feedback they have provided. A number of motions were made in committee, and I am pleased the bill has improved as a result. Bill 24 includes a number of proposed amendments to the Coroners Act to create greater efficiencies in the process to form a coroner’s inquest jury and the procedures for conducting a coroner’s inquest. To this end, the amendments would be:

Allow for the assembly of a jury panel...

The Public Utilities Board has an exhaustive process which I understand costs the Power Corporation approximately $2 million each time there is a GRA application. I do not think there is any point, frankly, in duplicating that sort of detail of information before a standing committee. As I said, we are prepared to appear before committee and, in a general sense, go through the details of our plans for the future, but to go through the sort of detail that the Member opposite seems to be alluding to, well, I suggest that is properly before the PUB.