Justice

Aboriginal Policing Program Opportunities

May 25, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, I wish to update the Assembly on programs that give our Aboriginal youth a stepping stone to serving their communities in the RCMP.

Our Assembly has identified a goal of diversifying our economy, ensuring that people in each community and region have choices.  The Aboriginal Community Constable Program and the Aboriginal Pre-Cadet Training Program are innovative training programs that support this goal.

Long-term policing agreement reached

YELLOWKNIFE (March 29, 2012) -- The Northwest Territories has reached a final agreement with the federal government for the renewal of the Territorial Police Services Agreement.

The current agreement expires on March 31. The new agreement has a 20-year term and features historic changes to management and financial transparency provisions. The agreement also continues to support local detachments working with communities to ensure an effective police force reflecting the diversity and needs of the people they serve.

Office of the Children's Lawyer

December 15, 2011 - Mr. Speaker, I wish to update Members about a new office within the Department of Justice; the Office of the Children’s Lawyer.

Under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Canada ratified in 1991, children have a right to be heard in proceedings affecting them. Canada has a legal obligation to ensure the provisions of the Convention are met, yet very few jurisdictions in Canada have a system to offer independent counsel to children in legal proceedings affecting them to ensure their voices are heard.

Corrections Northern Recruit Training Program

December 14, 2011 - Mr. Speaker, for many years, we had a problem filling entry-level vacancies for Corrections Officers with Northern people who had the basic skills that would qualify them to be hired.

In 2009, the Corrections Service looked at the problem and developed a six-week training program to ensure we have a representative, Northern workforce in our corrections facilities.  The end result is the Corrections Northern Recruit Training Program.

Proposed Legal Aid Act

August 26, 2011 - Minister of Justice Jackson Lafferty introduces a draft for the new Legal Aid Act.

Mr. Speaker, later today I will table a draft Legal Aid Act and consultation paper. The Department of Justice is developing a new Legal Aid Act and is seeking comments from the public. The proposed new Legal Aid Act will provide greater clarity on governance and processes, and a more client-focused, service-oriented approach to our legal aid system.

Student Wins Apple iPad

June 3, 2011 - Ecole St. Patrick High School student Trey Talbot is the NWT winner of the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) Financial Fitness Challenge.

The Canada-wide online contest provided videos, Facebook and Twitter tips to help youth increase their financial literacy. It used interactive tools and scenarios to demonstrate important financial principals such as balancing needs versus wants, budgeting, saving and investing.

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