Check Against Delivery

Like other Departments across the GNWT, the Department of Justice saw its operations, administration, programs and service delivery impacted by COVID-19. Some functions or activities were delayed as more urgent tasks took over and staff were redeployed. Yet as we begin to take stock of the last few months, there are both challenges and opportunities that have appeared. I want to speak today on the response and emerging opportunities within Court Services and Corrections.

Minister of Justice Caroline Wawzonek released a third-party program evaluation and social return on investment (SROI) study on the Integrated Case Management Pilot Program in Yellowknife. 

The top priority for the Government of the Northwest Territories  (GNWT) is the health and safety of Northwest Territories (NWT) residents, and we are taking proactive measure to be prepared to respond to COVID-19 as the situation evolves.

There are currently no cases of COVID-19 in the NWT, and the risk of acquiring the virus in the NWT and Canada remains low at this time.

Mr. Speaker, as Minister of Justice one of my responsibilities is to set the objectives, priorities and goals of the Territorial Police Service. While the GNWT respects the operational independence of the RCMP, the intention of setting these objectives is to establish a broad strategic direction for the delivery of policing services in the Northwest Territories that incorporates the unique needs of our communities.

The Northwest Territories Office of the Superintendent of Securities is alerting investors that LeadingPips is not registered to sell securities in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to announce that female inmates have moved into the new women’s unit at the Fort Smith Correctional Complex. I had the pleasure of touring the new unit last week and was blown away by the care and attention that has gone into designing a facility that is tailored to meeting the needs of female inmates in our care and specifically in the Northwest Territories.

Today Louis Sebert, Minister of Justice announced the appointment of the Honourable Robert D. Gorin as the new Chief Judge for the Territorial Courts effective October 2, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.

The Chief Judge maintains their judicial responsibilities and provides general supervision for arranging and direction over the sittings of the Territorial Court and assigning judges for Territorial Court hearings, as well as oversight on the Justice of the Peace program.

The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to providing culturally appropriate, responsive and efficient corrections services in partnership with our communities. Today, the Minister of Justice, Louis Sebert, and the Minister of Infrastructure, Wally Schumann, celebrated the opening of the new corrections unit for women with the people of Fort Smith.

This new unit was designed with the current and future needs of female offenders in mind and will support culturally appropriate programs and activities.

M. le Président, le Bureau des titres de biens-fonds du GTNO s’occupe d’enregistrer et de protéger tous les renseignements sur les titres de biens-fonds aux Territoires du Nord-Ouest. Dans le passé, ces dossiers publics étaient seulement disponibles pendant les heures de bureau; de plus, s’il était nécessaire de consulter le fichier réel, il était seulement possible de le faire au registraire.