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NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
The Northwest Territories has earned itself a spot on a newly-formed, nationwide committee that will influence the cost and accountability of the RCMP.

At the end of March the territory and the federal government renewed the Territorial Police Services Agreement and part of the 20-year contract includes the creation of a contract management committee.

Every province and territory, excluding Quebec and Ontario, will have a seat and equal say at the table. The NWT's representative will be solicitor general Sylvia Haener, who also acts as the assistant deputy minister for Justice.

Shirley Kemeys Jones, director of community justice and community policing, said the new agreement will enhance public confidence in the police and bring a higher level of accountability and financial transparency.

"That's what we didn't have before, was one process where all the provinces, territories and the federal government get together and talk about how to implement the contract," she said. "I think the reporting relationship has really been strengthened, and that's good."

Under the new agreement, the committee will meet once or twice per year and be able to discuss cost issues and raise any local concerns they have. If the cost of police services increases, each member of the committee must be fully consulted first.

In addition, there are dispute resolution guidelines in place for more serious concerns.

"It's all done in a very positive, keeping the parties working together way," Kemeys Jones said. "Part of the review process is they would have the ability to identify any gaps and then discuss it."

The new agreement is a positive step, Minister of Justice Glen Abernethy wrote in a news release on March 29.

"It maintains effective policing services while using resources as effectively as possible," he said.

The full cost of the agreement won't be known until the GNWT's budget is passed, according to Sue Glowach, senior communications adviser for the Department of Justice.

Lydia Bardak, executive director of the John Howard Society, said she has doubts a nationwide committee made up of high-level officials will be more effective than local committees, such as the Yellowknife Area Policing Advisory Committee.

"I don't know if it's still going to be looking at the world through a police filter. Will it help guide decisions in the future?" she said.

Another concern Bardak had was the extent to which RCMP officers deal with people with mental health and substance abuse issues. Finding a solution for this, she said, would likely need a different approach entirely.

"To use an RCMP detachment as the community's housing strategy or mental health strategy ain't working too good," she said.

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