Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, continuing on the cost-of-living theme on Northerners, and certainly steps the government could do, my questions are now targeted to the Minister of Justice.
Mr. Speaker, is the Minister familiar with the study and assessment that has been done at the Department of Justice with respect to territorial judges being elevated to the Supreme Court bench which would be a direct cost savings to the territorial taxpayer where the federal government would pick up that cost. In other words, eliminate territorial judges and make them all Supreme Court judges. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Minister of Justice.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, I am not. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
As I am sure the Minister is aware, Supreme Court judges can hear all matters but territorial judges must stay in their lane, Mr. Speaker. This is an expense saved on the Nunavut taxpayer, which is a direct comparison, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister investigate this potential huge financial savings on the territorial taxpayer? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will take the Member's suggestion away. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Justice. Final supplementary. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
He's quickly becoming my favourite justice Minister.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I recall, just to be clear, the last time this was reviewed or kicked around, it was about a $5 million savings to the territorial taxpayer. So my question now is would the Minister agree to consider the opportunity to implement this approach if it boils down to administrative process and minor tweaks to territorial legislation to accommodate this necessity, an opportunity to save money on the territorial taxpayer? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, you know, as the Minister, always looking for opportunities to, you know, reduce budget across our department, you know, I think that the Member has brought forward something that I was unfamiliar with, and I am happy to consider his suggestions as we move forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Justice. Oral questions. Member from Yellowknife North.
