Yeah, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I asked questions in regarding to the missing person of Frank Gruben. And the reason why I used his name a lot in my Member's statement was to make him humanized in regards to when you're bringing it up, you're not just hearing a name or looking at a picture, this is a human being. I really want to thank the Salt River First Nation, all the volunteers for what they did in the community. But, you know, with the fires that we've just been through and all the you know, it's almost unbearable for the last six weeks for the community. Where is this case now with the RCMP and what are they doing next to try to bring Frank home to his mother? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Minister responsible for Justice.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate what the Member has said about using Frank's name. You know, when I met with his family, it's obvious that, you know, it's a very loving family that very much care for him. And this is, you know, this is tough to say the least. And I can't imagine what the family's going through. With that said, Mr. Speaker, as the Member knows I am not privy to RCMP investigations. But missing persons cases are they remain open, so it is still an open investigation. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is my justice Minister who represents us as this House with the RCMP, and the RCMP have a signed contract with us. All I'm asking for is what is he able to do in regards to bringing forward to see get an update for the family. I know the RCMP are checking on the family because I talked to Laura. So now can this Minister reassure this House, and reassure me, that he's able to talk to the new superintendent of the RCMP to see the go forward steps on the file because we've been away from the the community's been under fire evacuation for a few months now. So what's the next steps? Are they is it active? So thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I've stated, it still is an open investigation. I do talk to the commanding officer from time to time and, you know, I do discuss this case with him from time to time. That being said, I'm not privy to the details of, you know, of the investigation. But if there's new information that comes to light, then the RCMP can use that and take further steps. So I reiterate the Member's comments: If you know something, please come forward. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, what we have I guess what like I said, somebody knows something. Like the Minister said, somebody knows something. There's $8,050 reward out there for something. And we really just want to bring this to a closure, to bring Frank home back to the Delta and to Aklavik, back to his mother. I really need my Minister to step up to the plate and talk to the superintendent on a go forward he doesn't have to tell us in the House. The RCMP could go to the mother and just tell Laura what's happening because she doesn't hear like, she didn't hear anything, no updates because of the fire. And I understand that. There's a lot of things going on across our territory. But they have to go see her and let her know the next steps. And are we able to I guess, before winter sets in down here in the South Slave, are we able to do another search? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And as the Member mentioned earlier, the RCMP are in contact with the family. They would be the ones to provide that information to the family. I'm not sure how else to say it, Mr. Speaker. If there is no contact, if, you know, the RCMP aren't in contact with the family, they can't reach the RCMP, then I can provide some assistance. But as it is, it sounds like those lines of communication are open. And as I mentioned earlier, I do have regular discussions with the commanding officer, and this is one of the topics that does come up. So it's not like it's not not by a long shot has this been forgotten about. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, from seldom to regularly, I want my Minister to ask the RCMP superintendent on a go forward on next steps of Frank Gruben. We need answers. I need a plan, a go forward plan, so I could give it to his mother. So I'm requesting the Minister to pick up the phone, either today or tomorrow, just to get the update, so we could update the family. So please and thank you. Have show a little bit of empathy and do your job. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
As a former RCMP member, a former Speaker, I think the Member's well aware of what my job is and my role in this investigation and what I can do and what I can't do. So as I've already stated, the family the RCMP and the family are in contact. If what the Member is saying is that the RCMP are not informing the family, then what I can do is reach out through the channels to the RCMP and say this is what we're hearing in the Assembly. It doesn't make sense for me to go speak to the commanding officer, he goes and speaks to the officers, they relay it back to the commanding officer, they relay it to me, and I relay it to the family. Why not just have the family and the RCMP talk? That's the proper process, and that's the way that things should be working. So I will ensure that that is happening. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.
