Thank you for the question. As I have stated previously, for me, ensuring that no future delays are identified is a critical step. Working with partners to ensure that we identify the things that are applicable to Jordan’s Principle is a huge part of the response to that backlog. It is something that we want to prevent — future backlog.

For existing backlog, I have asked my department to come together to create a task force to ensure that they have a methodology in place to treat the existing backlog. For us, that ensures that we are able to respond rapidly. I believe that we have extremely competent staff who work directly with the community, with Jordan’s Principle advisers. We are going to move forward with that next step.

I think it is critical for the Senate to know and understand we cannot rush through addressing a backlog. We have to make sure that we are making the right decisions for those children’s needs. For me as a minister, it also means protecting their access to that service for the long term. I understand the backlog is there. It’s part of my work to address it. It’s part of my work to bring it down. For me, the bigger context is it’s part of my work to protect the future of these kids who are using that service.

Thank you. I stand firm with my beliefs that when you work with partners, this is where you have the greatest success. There are some places where communities work very closely and have the lead in delivering Jordan’s Principle service.

We’re looking for those models of success. We’re looking to be able to share that information with those communities that do not have the capacity to do it. I’m very open to what communities want to define as a step forward. I’m there to ensure that I have the resource available for it, the funding available for it. But for me, ensuring the continuity of that service is number one. Working with communities, working with partners to define the scope of what Jordan’s Principle began as and where it should go is the critical dialogue for an outcome.