Thank you, Mr. Goldney. Mr. Vanthuyne.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just lastly, I appreciate the further information. How is the department, in particular the RCMP, working with communities and schools and other stakeholders with regard to communications around the use of cannabis but, in particular, you know, driving under the influence? Are we working with organizations like MADD and other groups? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Vanthuyne. Mr. Goldney.

Thank you, Mr. Goldney. Next, we have Mr. McNeely.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Minister, in his opening remarks, had mentioned to the highlight bullet number one here on forced growth funding to provide these types of initiatives, including training. Years ago, the special constable really played a vital role in assisting the police officers here years ago and, in some case, even survival on the land as they made their trips out to the different outpost camps.

Can the Minister elaborate if some of this forced growth amount will be or is looking at being designated towards a special constable program in some of the communities that do not have detachments, such as Tsiigehtchic and Cold Lake, for example, if there is a training program that is going to be looked at for a special-constable-type liaison person in those communities? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. McNeely. Mr. Goldney.

Thank you, Mr. Goldney. Mr. McNeely.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thanks to the deputy minister for that reply. Is it the wish of the department moving forward into this new fiscal year to look at further, different federal funding sources to access to apply toward this special constable liaison program, if it is, in fact, one of the desires of the department? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. McNeely. Minister Sebert.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Of course, we are always looking to our partners, if I put it that way, in Ottawa for increased funding for these important projects, including the issue of First Nation policing. The answer is yes, we will be approaching them on various items, including First Nations policing and positions. Yes, I guess is the simple answer. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Next on the list, we have Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would just like to follow up on questions by Mr. McNeely there. In regard to the special constable, has the department been looking at this as an opportunity to get more Indigenous police officers in the system? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister Sebert.

Yes. It is important, of course, that the RCMP, to a large extent, reflect the population with whom they are dealing. I do believe that they hope to recruit more Aboriginal officers. Certainly, that would be our wish. I can express that, certainly, to the commanding officer. I believe they do wish to do that. As I say, it is important that, in a population that is roughly 50 percent Aboriginal, a large number of the police officers are Aboriginal themselves. Yes, the police do understand this concern, as do we. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Again, I understand, you know, Indigenous RCMP regular officers, but have we looked at, you know, special constables like we have done in the past where, you know, you are getting a local individual to train, to be able to help the members who are coming in, and to assimilate into the community and have a face the community knows who to talk to? Is the department looking at the opportunity? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister Sebert.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We do understand the importance of special constables in the past history of the RCMP and the invaluable service that they did provide. We have been seeking federal expansion of the First Nations Policing Program. We do recognize that this is an important issue. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister Sebert.

Yes. Rather than looking at a new program, we are looking at expansion of the current program, if I can put it that way. Again, we are seeking federal expansion of the program. Thank you.