Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Feb 25/02) - For the first time in eight years, the territorial justice department will have separate top bureaucrats.

Deputy justice minister Don Cooper announced Monday that two assistant deputy ministers have been appointed to the positions of attorney-general and solicitor-general.

"There was a growing need," to put more of a focus on the corrections aspect of the department's work, said Cooper.

Attorneys-general are responsible for the administration of justice, while solicitors-general are responsible for policing. The two portfolios are usually separate.

Cooper said the department lost an assistant deputy minister as a cost-saving measure in 1994.

Cooper raised the issue last fall with Premier Stephen Kakfwi, and "he indicated his agreement in principle with the concept," of having a separate attorney and solicitor general.

Reginald Tolton takes on the role of attorney-general, while, Shirley Kemeys-Jones is solicitor- general.

A lawyer for 30 years, Tolton has worked with GNWT the last eight years.

Tolton will be responsible for courts administration, legal aid, registries, legal advice to the territorial government, and legislation.

Kemeys-Jones has worked with the GNWT for 18 years, including a five-year hitch as a corrections service worker at the Territorial Women's Correctional Centre in Fort Smith.

She will be responsible for corrections, policing and community justice.