HAY RIVER - In November of 2007, the GNWT established an ad hoc committee to review its policies and practises relating to criminal records checks for employees, volunteers and contractors.

Two years later, the review process is still not finished.

"I think that's pretty ridiculous, personally," said Terry Rideout, a Hay River man who organized a petition calling for the policy to be changed to protect people, particularly children, from sexual offenders.

Rideout said the delay is absolutely not acceptable.

"I really think the government owes the people an apology," he said.

Rideout doesn't know what the government is doing on the issue, and whether it may be stalling.

"I assure you it's not going away," he said of the issue.

In mid-2007, Rideout presented a petition to the GNWT calling for the criminal records checks policy to cover all territorial government 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 government care.

When contacted about the review process, the Department of Human Resources provided News/North with a written response.

The department noted the ad hoc committee - known as the Screening Working Group which includes representatives from a half-dozen departments - has so far prepared a status report and made recommendations on improving protection for vulnerable people from sexual and physical abuse.

It was directed by deputy ministers to prepare a consultation and communications plan based on the recommendations.

"The Department of Human Resources is pleased to announce the consultation and communication plan has been completed and is currently undergoing internal processes for approval," according to the prepared statement. "The initial step is aimed at consulting with volunteer groups as the first priority."

The statement gave no indication of how much longer the review will take.

The department will also review the criminal records check/screening process as part of an ongoing review of its human resource manual. That review will ensure all positions requiring a criminal records check are identified.

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 - volunteered at a school and played Santa at a library.

Melanson is 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.

The matter has gone through a preliminary inquiry and is awaiting a date in the NWT Supreme Court.