Thank you, Minister. Ms. Green.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you for that response. Can you please tell me about the results of your consultation on the idea of changing the administrative and clinical supervision to inhouse?
Thank you, Ms. Green. Minister.
I think, Mr. Chair, that we found that that may have been a source of problems with the delivery of the program in the past. Often, with smaller organizations, that portion of what is needed to be done, it is difficult for a smaller organization to deliver those, that aspect of the program. Therefore, by bringing it inhouse, as I said previously, it allows the bidder on the request for proposals do what is most important, deliver the program, itself. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister. Ms. Green.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you to the Minister for that. My question for the Minister is: what kind of consultation has been done with the non-profit sector that works in this area on the idea of bringing the administrative and clerical functions inhouse? Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Green. Minister. Mr. Goldney.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. We have had some discussions with NGOs and other parties who are interested in this program, so we are quite confident that what we will be proposing will be welcome and appreciated. One of the advantages of the model to be proposed in the RFP is that it will relieve those organizations from some of the administrative burden, it will allow greater coordination. That might even allow more facilitators and more organizations to participate in the delivery of this program. Eventually, we do see the potential for individuals, even, not necessarily persons employed with NGOs, to participate, as well, and so we do see some positive response to these ideas so far.
Thank you, Mr. Goldney. I just remind the witnesses and all Members to indicate when you have done talking, maybe, "Thank you, Mr. Chair." Ms. Green.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, given the fact that this program is going to be changed very considerably, will the next iteration also be a pilot project? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Ms. Green. Minister.
No, we are not contemplating the next iteration to be a pilot project. We can always make adjustments as we proceed in years ahead. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Minister. Ms. Green.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I am puzzled by that. It sounds like another pilot project because it is so different, so I am not clear why the department is not putting this out as a pilot project so that there is some flexibility to discontinue aspects once the pilot period is over? Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Green. Minister.
No, we are confident, Mr. Chair, that what we have learned from examining the report will guide us on the path ahead. There is no concept that the program going ahead will be considered another pilot project. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister. Ms. Green.
I think I will get back on the list because I think that my next question will take me beyond my allotted time. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Green. I will call a brief recess. SergeantatArms, please escort the witnesses from the Chamber.
SHORT RECESS
I call the Committee of the Whole back to order. We were discussing community justice and policing on pages 256 to 259. Do I have comments or questions? Mr. Thompson. Ms. Green, I put you back on the list. Mr. Thompson.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. My first question is regarding the clinical supervisor. Is this actually going to be a funded position by the department, and if it is, where are the funds coming from? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister.
Mr. Chair, the past contract for the Nahendeh program didn't require a clinical supervisor, as will the one that we are contemplating.
Thank you, Minister. Mr. Thompson.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Can the Minister, please, say what was the last little bit of his commentary? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister, can you please repeat your comments.
Yes. I am sorry. There was a clinical supervisor, which was required under the old pilot project. We expect this to be a contracted position under the new request for proposal. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister. Mr. Thompson.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. In contract services, we see an increase of $249,000. Is this the physicians? Is that where the money is coming from? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister.
No. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Minister. Mr. Thompson.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I thank the Minister for his answer. Can he or the department explain why we see an increase in $249,000 in contract services in this area? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister.
I am sorry, Mr. Chair. That is the wilderness funding amount that was transferred into this portion of the budget at the request of committee. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister. Mr. Thompson.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. The wilderness funding is later on, so I will have to ask the question about that. In regards to the New Day program, will the department be looking at an overlap between the existing contractor and a new contractor should it come out that way? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister.
Sure. There will be no gap in service, so to that extent there will be an overlap. We want to ensure as we did when extended the contract that nobody will fall in between the cracks. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Minister. Mr. Thompson.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I guess I should rephrase my question. What I was talking about, should another contractor get the new job, will the department be looking at extended the existing contractor about a month's time so that they are better prepared to do this job? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister.
Mr. Chair, the current contract will come to an end at the end of June. We are anticipating that the new contractor, if there is a new contractor, will be up and going at that time. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister. Mr. Thompson.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Whether if it is a new contractor or an existing contractor, they are going to start July 1st. Am I correct in understanding that, Mr. Chair?
Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister.
Yes, Mr. Chair, that is correct. Again, the whole point of this is to avoid any gap in service. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister. Nothing further from Mr. Thompson. I have Mr. O'Reilly.
Thanks, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to ask the Minister: when is the RFP going to go out for the Men's Healing program? The reason I'm asking that is I'm getting quite concerned about how late this is getting and whether there's going to be a gap in service. Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister.
