Human Resources committee  As the program is still in its early days, we are beginning to see meaningful results. We have not yet taken the opportunity to do that research. Going into the future, I think those impacts will begin to become evident and we'll have more data there.

Human Resources committee  Mr. Chair, if I may, I have a quick response to that. Thank you for the comment and feedback. The programs are absolutely intended to be additional to existing programming, but that is something we will be watching for in the future.

Human Resources committee  I can speak to a couple of initiatives, and then I'll turn to Sandra for a bit more on that. Included in that pillar are two initiatives that are under way. The first one is the external reference group, which is intended to be a long-term advisory body that will provide advice

Human Resources committee  Certainly, as the initiative has rolled out, we have greatly benefited from the connections and insights provided by the intermediaries, but also through our contacts with the organizations. The things Katie has spoken of regarding our internal processes and a more client-centric

Human Resources committee  Thank you for the question. We launched the initiative in 2019 following discussions with the communities, from whom we learned a lot. Ms. Charles, could you summarize those discussions and the needs?

Human Resources committee  I'll just ask for clarification. Budget 2022 has allocated funding for this fiscal year and the next. I'll just say that planning is under way to ensure that funding is spent in this fiscal year and the next.

Human Resources committee  The intention would be to fully disburse the funding. We know the needs are high and the calls that the intermediaries held were oversubscribed. We know there is demand, and work is under way to determine the way forward there. I anticipate there will be more information availabl

Human Resources committee  We are relying on the voices of the community to hear about the gaps they see. Their voices are really essential for us in identifying those gaps. One of the gaps we heard about was in Nova Scotia related to the former Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children, which had fallen into

Human Resources committee  As Katie mentioned earlier, there is an operational component included in the grants and contributions agreements—normally up to about 15%—and those funds can be used for the administration of the program. Now, we have heard calls for more permanent operating funding. Generally,

Human Resources committee  There were concerns raised last year about the decision-making for this initiative. The department listened, and listened carefully, to the feedback that was received. I think Katie can speak to us a bit about what we heard, what we've learned and the changes we've made.

Human Resources committee  Thank you for the question. The government is in the process of determining the future of the program. That said, I'm sure that the voices of those communities will be at the centre of future activities.

Human Resources committee  I would say at the outset that national coverage is exceedingly important for this program. We have four intermediaries across the country—Edmonton to Halifax—and through them, we're seeking to ensure there is broad coverage across the country. Would you like to add anything, Ms

Human Resources committee  There are two points there. On the question of adding intermediaries, initially, the program started with three intermediaries, and then a fourth, in the west, was added after a bit of time. I would say that in the future, there is the potential for other high-capacity organizat

Human Resources committee  I will ask Ms. Charles to answer that question.

Human Resources committee  Thank you for the question. We don't have those numbers at the ready today, Madame Chabot, but we'd be happy to provide that information in writing.