Louis Sebert

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We will have to examine the procurement guidelines to determine whether we are able to do that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I did not receive any direct feedback, so I am going to defer the question to Mr. Goldney, if I may.

Thank you. I am going to refer that question, if I may, to Martin Goldney, my deputy minister. Thank you.

I understand there were not changes to the RFP, but perhaps Mr. Goldney could expand on my answer. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, of course, the discussions with the counsellors would be confidential, so we are not anticipating that would be a problem. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I see from my notes here that they have been around since 1994 in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, that's correct. The John Howard Society is in the process of contracting with counsellors. Thank you.

I would like to have Ms. Gardiner assist with this question. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes. Of course, with the RFP, we were always aware of constraints on time that we needed to have something in place by July 1st. There initially was, of course, no applicants to our RFP. We then went out to NGOs. We are speaking to the John Howard Society, and it was their wish should they decide to take this up, which they did, that they be given a lengthy contract so that they would have some certainty for the future. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair. To my left is Leanne Gardiner, director of community justice and policing. To my right is Deputy Minister of Justice Martin Goldney.