Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And certainly with the -- there are always new opportunities, and perhaps this is one of them. That being said, the RCMP is saying loud and clear that they feel they've been underresourced by parliament. Will the Premier join me in calling for more resources for the RCMP so we can keep our communities safe here in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the outgoing Prime Minister has released a white paper on RCMP reform, its significant consequences for the Northwest Territories if these changes go through, which would see the force transition to a national intelligence and security force. I know the RCMP has concerns around this. We've heard some jurisdictions have concerns around this. Yesterday we talked about sunsetting funding for community safety officer programs, the need potentially for a new Police Act. Now it sounds like we need to have our own police force. So what is the Premier's approach to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister provide us with guidance on how we should reach out to people who have been coming to our offices concerned about this program now that this is -- there's some hope that the program could be expanded -- or extended that we can get those numbers back. People continue to ask, so. And it's good that this information's out there so people know what's at stake. So can the Minister give guidance on what we should be providing back to our constituents who are worried about this program -- about their spots coming to an end and having to leave the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, as this House knows, it's pretty easy for Members on this side of the House to bring forward legislation. So I'll do the Premier a favour. I can start drafting this -- a bill to bring public safety officers into law in the Northwest Territories. If that comes forward, will he support that? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm a big supporter of the community safety officer program that's currently being piloted in Fort Liard. Unfortunately, I've learned recently, and I think maybe the public has as well, that the feds are going to be clawing back that funding after this if -- for the provinces and territories that don't have community safety officer legislation. Can the Minister -- or sorry, the Premier as Minister of Justice, can he let us know what that would entail, community safety officer legislation looks like. Because if it is something that's important to our...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister work with territorial and provincial counterparts to ensure that schools are carved out of any stringent funding applications, because that seems to be the issue. You know, we've heard the stories, including from the family, the initial family that this money was being used for X-boxes and ballet lessons and things like that, so there's a sense to put some guardrails around it but our schools shouldn't have to suffer for that. So can the Minister commit to advocating for our schools when she does reach out to her territorial and provincial...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize Dave Wasylciw. He is the YK1 board chair here in Yellowknife and a member of the Range Lake constituency. Welcome, Dave.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I know the Minister is on the same page but I already -- I knew much of that response because that's what I've been telling people as well. We are all very compassionate. We want things to work. But to me and to many others, it seems like a power is in our hands to make a decision and bring back these spots and also welcome asylum seekers into the Northwest Territories and support them from these -- you know, places that they've fled from, give them new lives in Canada, and support population growth in the North and our workforce as well. The power's in the Minister...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know I only asked about this yesterday, but I'd like to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment if she has any updates for this House on the Northwest Territories nominee program. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we do have a sheriff -- no, we don't have a Sheriffs Act. That's another issue, a Sheriffs Act. I mean, we do have peace officers that are employees of the territorial government that have peace officer status under the Criminal Code. Is it time to look at this? We do have a crime problem. The Premier's well aware of it. The Premier has campaigned on it outside and inside the House. So maybe it's time to allocate additional resources. I don't want to lose this program; I want to keep our streets safe. Will the Premier bring forward legislation to bring...