Mr. LeBlanc, I'll be honest with you. From what I hear on the ground, there are indeed a lot of discussions between the federal and provincial governments about the establishment of these indigenous police forces. The problem is that not enough discussions are being held with the indigenous communities themselves, especially at the federal level. First nations are thirsty for information on what's happening with the bill and on other issues.
We know that the calls for justice for missing and murdered indigenous women and girls have been numerous. There are calls for a transformation of policing and the development of legislation in collaboration with indigenous police forces. That element is critical. Minister Hajdu had moved in that direction, but the central question remains: When will the bill be introduced to provide for these fundamental changes so that indigenous police services in communities would be recognized as essential, and funded accordingly?
That has an impact, especially in my region, where discussions are under way to create a regional indigenous police force for all of Abitibi-Témiscamingue. This is an emergency, in particular for the Long Point community in Winneway, which no longer has its own police service.
When will we be able to take action?