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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Although a review process began in late 2007, the GNWT has still not figured out how to revise its policy on criminal records checks.

In fact, it is not currently working on the issue.

Terry Rideout, the Hay River man who launched a petition in mid-2007 calling for more stringent criminal records checks by the GNWT, said it is ridiculous that the revision is taking so long.

Terry Rideout: still waiting for revised policy on criminal records checks.

"It's high priority in my books," he said. "You're dealing with people's lives."

Rideout said the government can't keep putting the issue on the backburner.

According to a spokesperson for the Department of Human Resources, the process has gone on so long because the department's division responsible for overseeing the review also handles collective bargaining.

It has been busy with negotiations with physicians and teachers, and now the Union of Northern Workers. The same division is also involved in preparing the upcoming territorial budget.

"We have a limited capacity," said Shaleen Woodward, the director of human resources strategy and policy with the department. "We're trying to do as much as we can."

Woodward said the Human Resources Strategy and Policy Division will return to working on the issue as soon as possible.

"It is a priority for us," she said, although she could not say when the work might resume.

"It's one of the things we've got to get back on track," she added.

An ad hoc committee, the Screening Working Group, was established in November of 2007 to review the policies and practices relating to criminal records checks.

The committee includes representatives from a half-dozen departments.

Woodward said the committee has so far presented draft recommendations to deputy ministers.

"They asked for more consultations," she said, adding those consultations are being developed.

"Our challenge has been to get that consultation plan done and back to them."

Rideout petitioned the GNWT in 2007 for more stringent criminal records checks to fight sexual abuse.

His petition called for criminal records checks for all GNWT employees and all volunteers in the NWT.

A policy currently exists for positions of trust and for highly sensitive positions such as work with children, vulnerable persons or residents in the government's care.

Rideout launched the petition following reports that a man with a criminal record for sexual assault and possessing and distributing child pornography had been living in Hay River without the community being aware of it.

The man - John Murray "Fester" Melanson - had volunteered at a school and even played Santa Claus at a public library.

Melanson is currently facing a number of charges from his time in Hay River, including possession of child pornography and two counts of sexual assault, allegedly involving boys under the age of 14.