Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

On March 25, 2024, committee received a public briefing from the Minister and his staff on Bill 2. The Minister's presentation is included in Appendix B.

Between March 2024 to April 2024, committee engaged the public. Committee hosted four public meetings in Inuuvik, Aklavik, and Yellowknife-Sombak'e. There were two public meetings held in Yellowknife-Sombak'e one of which was with the RCMP and the other was with the public. A total of 55 people attended committee's public meetings.

Committee also sought written submissions on Bill 2. We sent nine targeted engagement letters to non-profit organizations. Committee received written submissions and presentations from:

• Salvation Army - Yellowknife
• Northwest Territories Disabilities Council
• YWCA Northwest Territories
• Northwest Territories Status of Women Council
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police - G Division.

These submissions and presentations are also included in Appendix B.

Committee appreciates everyone who offered their feedback at public meetings and in written submissions. Committee is especially appreciative for the family and friends of missing persons who provided their thoughts and feedback on Bill 2 and missing persons cases in the NWT. All participants welcomed Bill 2 as a positive and needed step in helping to solve missing persons cases in the NWT. Participants offered thoughtful ideas to improve the bill and feedback on key areas that relate to missing persons.

Committee categorized public comments received into ten themes.

1. Traditional knowledge, Indigenous leadership, and cultural safety

Community feedback brought up the need for Indigenous leadership to be consulted and involved when dealing with missing persons cases, specifically the inclusion of traditional knowledge during search and rescue operations. There was public feedback on the inclusion of Indigenous leadership when the families of missing persons are communicating with the authorities. It was noted that families would be more comfortable talking to their own people as they may feel intimidated by the RCMP and local authority. Public comments stated that the involvement of Indigenous leadership could be on a case-by-case basis.

There were public concerns on the deflection of responsibility or unknown responsibility for search and rescue operations in communities. A question arose regarding how we can better act when a person goes missing and how we can learn to operationalize search and rescue in smaller communities.

Committee noted these concerns which highlighted the necessity for policy work to include Indigenous people in missing persons cases and search and rescue, especially due to high rates of missing persons cases in the NWT being Indigenous peoples. Committee therefore recommends:

Recommendation 1: The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories work with Indigenous governments and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to establish a committee of local and community Indigenous leaders when a missing persons investigation is underway to aid with search and rescue operations, include the involvement of traditional knowledge and facilitate communication with the affected family and loved ones.

There were concerns raised by community members on the RCMP remaining culturally responsible when dealing with missing persons cases, especially in the case of individuals fleeing domestic violence and who may not want to be found.

There were also concerns regarding the impact of RCMP attempting to enter a family violence or support shelter without permission or reasonable explanation. For the YWCA-NWT, it is currently policy to deny RCMP access to their family violence shelter unless there are exceptional circumstances warranting their entry such as threats to the health and safety of clients or staff. The YWCA-NWT encourages meaningful engagement and communication from the RCMP with their shelter and frontline workers - as the shelter's primary concern is to advocate for their clients and their safety.

Committee sought clarity on cultural and trauma-informed training for the RCMP, and it was confirmed that they do have specific training to conduct missing persons investigations that is mandatory for all RCMP members of the G Division to participate. There is other training as well for RCMP to ensure there is a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approach to their work.

Committee hears these concerns and presents the following recommendation to ensure that trauma-informed approaches are of the utmost importance to and practiced by the RCMP and justices when investigating missing persons cases and issuing search orders and record orders:

Recommendation 2: The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories work with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and justices to evaluate any cultural safety programming/training being offered to Royal Canadian Mounted Police members and justices to ensure it is trauma-informed and otherwise responsibly addresses those working with missing person cases in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to pass it off to the Member for Range Lake.