SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The legislative assembly rose for summer break June 2, with the politicians scheduled to return to their seats in the fall.
Justice minister Louis Sebert refuses to commit to extra policing for Tsiigehtchic - |
Until then, News/North will publish the occasional Hansard excerpt from the last session to provide readers with insight into how their elected reps tackle various issues.
This week features a question-and-answer session, slightly edited for clarity, between Mackenzie Delta MLA Frederick Blake Jr. on the need for more police presence in Tsiigehtchic. Speaker Jackson Lafferty moderates:
SPEAKER LAFFERTY: Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
MR. BLAKE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in follow-up to my member's statement, I have a few questions for the minister of justice. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the minister: is the minister aware of requests from Tsiigehtchic and other communities to have resident RCMP officers during times of break-up and freeze-up? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SPEAKER: Masi. Minister of justice.
HON. LOUIS SEBERT: Mr. Speaker, providing policing services to the smaller communities remains a priority for the Department of Justice and the government. I know in Tsiigehtchic specifically, over the last year, the housing (corporation)has installed accommodations so that the RCMP can do patrols overnight, and I understand in the period from January 1 to March 31, there were 11 overnight patrols.
Clearly coverage has improved and increased in the last year. I have not heard the specific request regarding the time of break-up that has been brought forth by the member opposite but I will take that up with the RCMP. Thank you.
BLAKE: As I mentioned in my member's statement, the community is very happy with the services that have improved over the last year here but in the government's mandate, the department has committed to supporting the developing of policing action plans for each community. Is the minister aware of how the need for resident RCMP officers is reflected in Tsiigehtchic's 2017-18 community policing action plan?
SEBERT: No, I have not reviewed the plan of late. As I mentioned, the police now are spending more time in the community. Tsiigehtchic is 60 kilometres or so from Fort McPherson, and I do realize, obviously, it takes some time for the RCMP to reach the community, but I understand that to be about 30 to 45 minutes during most of the year; and during freeze-up or break-up, if there is an emergency, they can arrange to get there very quickly. I will review the plan that has been mentioned by the member opposite with the RCMP.
I do not think we can commit to having a year-round detachment in the communities, and I believe that the improvements that we have made have improved coverage.
BLAKE: I am not asking for year-round coverage. The RCMP do come around every other weekend but I would like to ask the minister: what other actions will the minister take to work with the RCMP to advance public safety goals in Tsiigehtchic, particularly having resident RCMP officers during times of break-up and freeze-up as of the fall of 2017?
SEBERT: I am afraid I cannot commit to having the RCMP there during those specific times. As I mentioned earlier, they are able to go to the community now and spend the night there since housing has now been provided by the NWT Housing Corporation. Coverage has improved. I cannot commit to having them there specifically during break-up and freeze-up for that entire period.
SPEAKER: Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
BLAKE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the minister at least speak to the RCMP G Division to see if they would be open to providing this service in the spring and fall as the community requested? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
SEBERT: The Department of Justice continues to work with the RCMP to address the concerns of the small communities. I will bring this concern to the RCMP, but I certainly can't guarantee that the coverage requested could be provided. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
