The NWT government says it is “not contemplating” developing a standalone, whole-of-government crime reduction strategy as it would “add limited value” to current public safety initiatives.
A majority of regular MLAs passed a non-binding motion in May, introduced by Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins, calling for such a strategy to address “serious and evolving criminal activity” in the NWT.
The motion further requested that the territorial government implement proactive supports for northern youth, work with RCMP to increase community policing capacity, advocate for federal bail reform, establish a permanent treatment facility, and introduce legislation to license and regulate private security companies.
In a written response tabled in the legislature last week, the NWT government rejected the request for a new strategy, saying it would “likely overlap” with existing work being coordinated across departments to address violence and drug-related crime.
“The resources that would be needed to develop and monitor a strategy would reduce current capacity to monitor trends, evaluate existing initiatives and respond where gaps emerge in the GNWT’s efforts to improve public safety,” the response states.
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“To divert capacity to the development of strategy would negatively impact the GNWT’s ability to respond to existing public safety concerns.”
The territory said it is already advocating to the federal government for bail reform and working with RCMP to increase community policing capacity.
In its response to the motion, the GNWT highlighted current supports for northern youth such as the Home Base Stabilization Program, school-based mental health and wellness services, and top-up funding for youth centres.
The response further points to investments in NWT RCMP’s territorial crime reduction unit, funding for community public safety initiatives, and advancement of territorial trespass, civil forfeiture and safer communities and neighbourhoods legislation.
Addressing the motion’s request to expand addictions treatment services in the territory, the GNWT said it is involved in planning with the federal government and Endacho Healing Society for a proposed trauma healing lodge.
Finally the GNWT said regulating private security companies is not a priority for the 20th Legislative Assembly but “may be considered” ahead of the next assembly.
