The following is an edited exchange taken from Hansard in the legislative assembly March 13. MLA Tom Beaulieu, who represents Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh constituency, which includes Fort Resolution, Lutselk'e, Dettah, and Ndilo, is questioning Justice Minister Louis Sebert on the issue of pardons for marijuana charges once the drug is legalized in Canada.
BEAULIEU: I talked about the amnesty for people who have been charged with marijuana offenses in the Northwest Territories. I recognize that this is a federal government initiative at this point. At some point, the GNWT will be engaged.
I would like to ask the minister of justice if the department has statistically reviewed the situation or the numbers of people who have been charged with criminal offenses due to marijuana. Thank you.
SEBERT: I can advise that the department does not keep statistics on the number of Northwest Territories residents with convictions for simple possession or otherwise, and it may be that some of them will have convictions arising from other jurisdictions.
I was looking at an article, however, on Andre Picard, which seemed to indicate there was still a large number of people across Canada being charged. He indicated in that article that, as I read it, there were more than 40,000 convictions, or charges, rather, cannabis-related charges laid in 2016.
So there are a large number of people who are still being charged. I'm assuming that some of them are Northwest Territories residents, but we don't have those statistics.
BEAULIEU: Even without statistics, I would like to ask the minister if there has been any discussion with his department on how to handle I guess it's going to be a huge number of individuals who have been charged, in the case I spoke up in my member's statement about, with possession as the minister indicates. I was wondering if there were any discussions at all at the departmental level pertaining to that.
BEAULIEU: I talked about the amnesty for people who have been charged with marijuana offenses in the Northwest Territories. I recognize that this is a federal government initiative at this point. At some point, the GNWT will be engaged.
I would like to ask the minister of justice if the department has statistically reviewed the situation or the numbers of people who have been charged with criminal offenses due to marijuana. Thank you.
SEBERT: I can advise that the department does not keep statistics on the number of Northwest Territories residents with convictions for simple possession or otherwise, and it may be that some of them will have convictions arising from other jurisdictions.
I was looking at an article, however, on Andre Picard, which seemed to indicate there was still a large number of people across Canada being charged. He indicated in that article that, as I read it, there were more than 40,000 convictions, or charges, rather, cannabis-related charges laid in 2016.
So there are a large number of people who are still being charged. I'm assuming that some of them are Northwest Territories residents, but we don't have those statistics.
BEAULIEU: Even without statistics, I would like to ask the minister if there has been any discussion with his department on how to handle I guess it's going to be a huge number of individuals who have been charged, in the case I spoke up in my member's statement about, with possession as the minister indicates. I was wondering if there were any discussions at all at the departmental level pertaining to that.
SEBERT: As I have mentioned previously, this matter is primarily a federal one. I do know that, some time ago, the Departments of Justice and Education, Culture and Employment established a program whereby clients on social assistance could receive financial assistance to obtain a record suspension, which is the modern term for a probation.
As I say, there may be a lot of applications for record suspensions, or a pardon, rather, coming ahead.
Unfortunately, it does seem that there are still a large number of charges being laid. As I mentioned previously, tens of thousands of charges are still being laid.
I don't think the federal government is contemplating any change in their policy with respect to pardons for marijuana charges until after the current legislation, regarding the legalization of recreational cannabis comes into effect.
BEAULIEU: I do realize that we are talking about the legal stuff here, but had there been any discussions, like at some point, we must begin to talk about what's going to be coming in July.
I would like to know if there have been any discussions between the minister and his colleagues in cabinet.
SEBERT: Of course, I cannot discuss the details of what is discussed in cabinet. However, we do realize this is a live issue and it is a live issue for the federal government also.
I do know that, as recently as earlier this year, and I'm reading a story in the press that the federal Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said the government is examining the implication of possible pardons or record suspensions.
This is an issue mainly at the federal level, and I think we could all say we are expecting some movement by them with respect to the issue of passed convictions, but time will tell.
BEAULIEU: I'm asking these questions because it does certainly have an impact on individuals for jobs, employment, travel, and many other things.
When an individual who has a criminal record is appearing at the border, for example, whether or not they are able to across the border could depend upon the type of criminal offence they have on their record.
I would like to ask the minister if he could commit to starting to have discussions with the other ministers who have some involvement in creating employment and having the growth of our economy in the territory so that they have that discussion, so that when July 1 comes and the legislation is passed that this government would be more prepared than not prepared.
SEBERT: Yes, it has been a challenge for this government to prepare for the upcoming legalization of recreational cannabis. Certainly, I am willing to discuss these matters with my colleagues in cabinet.
BEAULIEU: As I have mentioned previously, this matter is primarily a federal one. I do know that, some time ago, the Departments of Justice and Education, Culture and Employment established a program whereby clients on social assistance could receive financial assistance to obtain a record suspension, which is the modern term for a probation.
As I say, there may be a lot of applications for record suspensions, or a pardon, rather, coming ahead.
Unfortunately, it does seem that there are still a large number of charges being laid. As I mentioned previously, tens of thousands of charges are still being laid.
I don't think the federal government is contemplating any change in their policy with respect to pardons for marijuana charges until after the current legislation, regarding the legalization of recreational cannabis comes into effect.
BEAULIEU: I do realize that we are talking about the legal stuff here, but had there been any discussions, like at some point, we must begin to talk about what's going to be coming in July.
I would like to know if there have been any discussions between the minister and his colleagues in cabinet.
SEBERT: Of course, I cannot discuss the details of what is discussed in cabinet. However, we do realize this is a live issue and it is a live issue for the federal government also.
I do know that, as recently as earlier this year, and I'm reading a story in the press that the federal Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said the government is examining the implication of possible pardons or record suspensions.
This is an issue mainly at the federal level, and I think we could all say we are expecting some movement by them with respect to the issue of passed convictions, but time will tell.
BEAULIEU: I'm asking these questions because it does certainly have an impact on individuals for jobs, employment, travel, and many other things.
When an individual who has a criminal record is appearing at the border, for example, whether or not they are able to across the border could depend upon the type of criminal offence they have on their record.
I would like to ask the minister if he could commit to starting to have discussions with the other ministers who have some involvement in creating employment and having the growth of our economy in the territory so that they have that discussion, so that when July 1 comes and the legislation is passed that this government would be more prepared than not prepared.
SEBERT: Yes, it has been a challenge for this government to prepare for the upcoming legalization of recreational cannabis. Certainly, I am willing to discuss these matters with my colleagues in cabinet.