YELLOWKNIFE (March 3, 2015) – The Minister of Justice has accepted all recommendations from the Office of the Auditor General of Canada (OAG) Report on NWT Corrections Service.

“We welcome this examination of our procedures and processes as supportive of improvements and change in the Corrections system,” said Minister of Justice David Ramsay. “We have an obligation to provide strong programs for rehabilitation as well as to prepare inmates for their reintegration to the community and we don’t take this obligation lightly. We are committed to public safety.” 

HAY RIVER (March 2, 2015) – The 2015 Ministerial Restorative Justice Award has been presented to Bobbi Hamilton of Hay River for her significant contributions to the people of her community.  Ms. Hamilton has demonstrated peaceful ways of resolving conflict and promoted healing between offenders, victims, families and communities.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Justice has been a Canadian leader in the Corrections field with innovative and respectful wellness programs for Aboriginal inmates, including traditional counsellors, healing rooms, counselling with Elders and spiritual ceremonies.

As Members from previous Assemblies will remember, I have always been a strong, and at times vocal, proponent of the need for a transparent, effective and accountable Corrections system.

Mr. Speaker, in every community visit, when discussing Corrections and Justice issues, we hear that on-the-land programming helps people heal and reconnect to their culture and values. In the Department of Justice, we know this to be true. This type of programming has long been a cornerstone of programming in the NWT. 

Mr. Speaker, communities have worked with the RCMP to develop policing priorities and action plans that designate specific priorities to make our communities safer. I would like to share with Members how this collaboration is making a difference in our communities. 

YELLOWKNIFE (January 5, 2015) –The Northwest Territories is encouraging greater representation of women on corporate boards and in senior management by making changes to its securities rules.

The amendments to the securities rules are intended to increase transparency for investors and other stakeholders regarding the representation of women on boards of directors and in senior management. This transparency is intended to assist investors in making investment and voting decisions and will apply to all non-venture issuers reporting in the NWT.

YELLOWKNIFE (December 16, 2014) – The new Legal Aid Act will come into force on December 28, 2014, providing a framework for the delivery of legal aid services for the people of the Northwest Territories.

“Legal aid provides advice and counsel for those in our most vulnerable populations”, said Minister of Justice David Ramsay. “The new Act underpins the delivery of those critical services, both for criminal and family law clients.”

YELLOWKNIFE (November 19, 2014) – Minister of Justice David Ramsay today thanked volunteers from across the Northwest Territories who have made the NWT’s restorative justice programs one of the most active in Canada.

Mr. Speaker, today I wish to tell you about “Building a Northern Evidence-Based Approach to Crime Prevention”, a new pan-territorial research initiative that the Northwest Territories Department of Justice is participating in with Yukon and Nunavut.

Mr. Speaker, later today, I will be tabling the Northwest Territories Coroner Service 2013 Annual Report. This report sets out some information on the history of the Coroner’s service, the role and structure of the office and some information on their work in 2013. This report reminds us that in the Northwest Territories, we have a number of dedicated volunteers who are deeply committed to assisting those in their communities at times of tragedy. They work with circumstances and situations that most of us are unable or unwilling to face.