R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So in the past, there have been attempts at integrating services in the GNWT, and they haven't been successful, and so a few years ago the GNWT went out and they worked with a contractor to look at those efforts and a path forward, and what the recommendation was and, you know, was -- I think it was widely accepted among those in government who were working on this initiative as well was that instead of trying to integrate everything at once, well, they start with a specific area and build from there. And so homelessness was that area. You know, at the time it was a, you...

Thank you. And so, you know, I'm -- we're very willing to and we do engage those types of services as and when required in Ottawa, and I understand what the Member is saying that, you know, a lot of the work in Ottawa -- to get things done in Ottawa, sometimes you need to go out for supper with people, you need to, you know, hang out in the crowd and hear what people are talking about and get insight into, you know, what Ministers' offices you need to talk or what person you need to contact or where the money might be. And so that type of work, you know, we do work with folks in Ottawa to get...

Thank you. So we have a number of different tables. I mean, I don't know if the Member wants me to get into each one and talk about where things are at but there's been progress on, you know, moving towards AIPs, moving towards finalized agreements. We do send -- and just so the public is aware, we do send the Members quarterly updates that really detail where things are at with those tables, and I'm happy to provide some in-camera briefings as well if committee would wish on these. But, you know, here at the table, it's really hard to sort of in broad terms talk about where we are with all of...

Thank you. And just to be clear, there is some structural change. It's not an overhaul but we did bring the GSOs into this division. You know, we created this division. We brought the integrated case management team from justice into this division. So we are slowly and incrementally doing the work that the Member is talking about. And I appreciate that his zeal for this, you know, I -- it features prominently in the mandate because I recognize the importance of integrating services and making things easier for residents. We do actually have an MOU with Service Canada and the GSOs can provide...

Thank you. Maybe I could get the deputy minister to chime in on that one. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, and it's actually the regional partnership that really put the focus on Yellowknife. And so, you know, we're already working with them, taking their advice and insight. Of course, when you work at an NGO and you are doing this work on a daily basis day in and day out you have a lot of expertise and insight and, of course, we want to leverage that and work with these organizations. So not every organization's priorities will align with each other’s, and so going forward there will be some -- you know, partners who are probably happier with what we are doing and some...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. All opportunities to expand our transitional housing stock will be explored, whether that is renovation of existing units that we come into possession of or whether it is the development of new units, we're open to doing whatever we need to do to make things happen. We're not going to limit ourselves to one, you know -- to one way of procuring these units. And so in -- recently, we've done some more temporary measures. So the on-the-land camp, we are looking to set up a temporary transitional housing unit until we can get something more permanent in place as well. And...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, I mean, I don't even need to be involved in that conversation. That's a community-level conversation, and the community can have that. Through the Department of Justice, we can relay the Member's comments and the desires for such a meeting, but I think those are the types of things that can really happen at the community level.

Deninu Kue First Nation does receive $50,000 annually to hire a community justice coordinator. I understand that that position is not filled. But that's the position that would help coordinate these types of conversations among leadership...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned earlier, our Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs had to step out so on his behalf, I would like to -- I announced that earlier for those Members who were in the House, that they probably remember that.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize Their Worships, Frank Pope and Peter Clarkson, and welcome them to the capital for the NWTAC AGM as well as to this House. So thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And as I stated earlier, a lot of that work has already started. Public Safety Canada has gone into the community. I've gone into the community, met with leadership, along with my deputy minister. The RCMP, as I mentioned, I have -- I've made one of their priorities to strengthen relationships with Indigenous governments. So ensuring that those touch points are actually happening, that those conversations are happening, is important.

And one of the most important things that the community can do is report things to the RCMP. And I understand that there's times when...