Robert Hawkins

Mr. Speaker, in a roundabout way, the Department of Justice used to support community initiatives such as Citizens on Patrol, Mr. Speaker. It was a program in collaboration with the RCMP. Would the Minister be willing to revisit this initiative that citizens appreciated where they felt like they were being part of the bigger community solution making our communities safe? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do want to note the tone of frustration wasn't intended at the Minister directly. I was kind of -- justice Minister. I was just hoping, and I think MLA -- my MLA colleague was hoping for a simple yes, we'll attend, not this long government answer.

Mr. Speaker, on the same topic, my question for the -- general topic, that is, Mr. Speaker, my question for the Minister respectfully is intended is this: Businesses are forced to deal with the cost of vandalism, shoplifting, etcetera, this is a cost passed on to the public. It's incurred the situation of hiring security...

Mr. Speaker, I have a whole set of questions, but I am not going to get to them. I am going to keep repeating the same question. MLA Testart has asked twice. I've asked once. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to ask it a fourth time.

Mr. Minister of Justice, I am asking, MLA Testart's asking you, would you please organize a community town hall meeting so people can speak about their vulnerability and have ideas and options through your department in partnership with the RCMP so we can feel empowered and feel safe in our community again. Would you be willing to do that at our request? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am going to start off with some interesting words: Confusion, anger, fear, frustration, hopelessness reinforced by the feelings of abandonment and vulnerability. Again, Mr. Speaker, the weight when someone tells me they feel vulnerable and abandoned by the process in the world we live in.

Mr. Speaker, many people know Yellowknife will never be the Old Yellowknife of old days but, Mr. Speaker, with my colleague from Range Lake, we wanted to hear the stories of up to 70 people. People showed up who are not regular people who come to these types of community events. They...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In brief, they provide community policing almost identical to RCMP but they are a better -- a more direct resource from the community. So, Mr. Speaker, would the Minister be willing to meet with the RCMP directly, including with colleagues like myself and Mr. Testart, to talk more about how we can support this initiative in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, in speaking to the chief superintendent about one of the things that could help the Northwest Territories policing division, and not just in Yellowknife, although that's important to me, but all the territory at large, would be special constables. Now, we currently have at least one that I am aware of. Mr. Speaker, what is this government doing to support that need and request by RCMP of getting more special constables into our communities? Thank you.

And every one of those is to deal with serious crime, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, citizens are exhausted and not reporting crime on theft anymore, and they will say stats remain flat or stable, Mr. Speaker. The question specifically now is the fact that people are giving up on reporting crime because they feel the GNWT has directed the RCMP not to fully enforce the existence of the Criminal Code or even in some cases the Liquor Act provisions; is this correct, is it true or untrue? Thank you.

You're fine, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, maybe I am asking it wrong. I am asking -- I am proposing an invitation to the Minister of Justice. Would he accept the offer by MLA Testart and I that if we organize a town hall meeting, would he attend? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't need a long preamble. I am requesting the Minister to host a town hall and community meeting. Will the Minister abide by that request? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will talk that offer. Mr. Speaker, is the Minister aware of the type of community policing that special constables provide outside of the regular standard RCMP officer. Thank you.