Hay River (Nov 29/04) - Community leaders confronted Justice Minister Charles Dent about his department's announced cuts in the town.

However, nothing changed as a result of the 2.5 hour closed-door meeting on Nov. 24. Mayor Diana Ehman says it was a "very emotional" discussion.

"Mr. Dent didn't offer anything new," she says. "He held the line on it."

The department intends to cut 28 positions in Hay River as part of GNWT budgetary cost saving. Dene K'onia Young Offenders Facility, a remand unit and the court registry will close in April.

The meeting was also attended by Hay River North MLA Paul Delorey and Hay River South MLA Jane Groenewegen, who organized the discussion.

Dent says it was not a matter of changing his mind about the cuts. "Right now, it's a government position."

The minister says the community leaders explained to him their belief that the cuts were wrong.

"I would say they're angry, which is understandable given the situation," he says, adding he will pass along the concerns to cabinet.

Dent noted it appears to be a lot of cuts in one community, but other cost-saving layoffs are coming elsewhere in the GNWT.

He estimates 75-80 positions in all will be eliminated, including the cuts at Justice.

In addition to Hay River, his department has cut 11 positions in other communities.

Ehman is still optimistic the cuts in Hay River can be challenged, noting they're not official until passed by the Legislative Assembly. "I don't think it's over, yet."

She adds the GNWT claims to believe in decentralization. "But their actions do not support that."

The affected people are long-term residents of the community, she says. "They are our neighbours and our friends."

During the meeting, Dent confirmed a territorial judge will be relocating to Hay River, despite the closure of the court registry.

The male young offenders in the open-custody Dene K'onia will be moved to Yellowknife.

Premier visits

On Friday, Premier Joe Handley was in Hay River for an in-camera meeting with council to discuss a number of topics, including the justice cuts.

"We didn't really solve the issue," says Groenewegen, who attended the meeting.

However, she was a "bit encouraged" afterwards, noting the premier outlined government's process of reviewing budget business plans.

The MLA says the meeting will assist opponents of the cuts to set out a game plan for the coming weeks.