Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister for a very clear outline of his plans.
First, about half a year ago the minister was researching a local issue for me related to names of chief justices in the territories. Is there any progress on that?
My second question relates to law reform, court challenges and legal aid. The minister talked for 20 minutes about his interest in improving the legal justice system. As a lawyer, I am sure he knows some of the very good work done by the Law Reform Commission of Canada in improvements to the justice system. Two of our first nations were working on excellent projects with the commission at the time funding was stopped.
Also, as a lawyer, I am sure the minister believes in rights and the court challenges program, which was established to help people who otherwise could not afford the huge expenses of fighting for their constitutionally protected rights. It also has some very great success stories of which he would be aware.
Legal aid is an excellent initiative, but there are a number of types of cases and people who do not have access to it yet.
Does the minister support bringing back these initiatives? I know he has supported legal aid in the past. Is he trying, for next year and the year after, to get increases for that valuable service?