The territory stepped up its response Wednesday to allegations of mistreatment at government-run group homes in the wake of what it called “information that has yet to be substantiated,” bringing in an independent external investigator.

Health and Social Services Minister Pauline Frost told reporters a special advisor will also be brought in to report to the deputy minister about whether all policies and procedures are being followed, as well as to ensure they are adhered to in the future.

The special advisor is Kelly McGill, a one-time social worker and lawyer with the Department of Justice.

Pam Costanzo is the external investigator, a labour and employment lawyer from British Columbia. She will focus on investigating the Transitional Support Services.

Frost was unable to say what specific information led the government to announce the two positions.

A spokesperson for the cabinet clarified that while the advisor will look at current and future procedures, the investigator will focus on specific incidents in the past.

The announcement comes after department members refuted allegations in an April 13 press briefing that children have been turned away from group homes or deemed “too high risk.”

A trail of internal emails obtained by the CBC dating back as far as January 2017 showed department officials had indeed kicked out a youth to make a bed available for another person.

Fewer than four weeks later, Frost admitted she is frustrated after new information came to light.

“Some of these steps here indicate a shift in our previous approach and previous statements,” the minister said, adding, “throughout the process, we have worked with the facts available to us.”

The latest moves come after allegations of mistreatment detailed by the CBC from youth who previously lived in group homes.

A government whistleblower also alleged mistreatment. He no longer works with the department, and has gone on to pursue legal action after his dismissal.

Meanwhile, Frost said she could not speak to the specifics of why the government has decided to announce the appointments now.

“At this point, the information we received is that: it’s information that has yet to be substantiated,” Frost said, though she did add the investigator will determine this.

She continued that Costanzo will also recommend any changes after “looking at if there are issues or concern with respect to staffing matters.

“That external investigator could work for us and determine a course of action.”

Also underway is a systemic review by the territory’s Child and Youth Advocate Office.

Annette King is the advocate, and was asked by Premier Sandy Silver to conduct the independent review.

King wrote to the Star today. She said she hopes the appointment of an investigator and advisor “assists with closing the gap between policy and practice.”

She continued that “following their own policies is a good first step.”

Meanwhile, Steve Geick, the president of the Yukon Employees’ Union, which represents staff working in group homes, said he is also hopeful after the announcement.

“You have three different people looking at the same issue from different angles, so chances are you’re going to get fairly close to the bottom of things,” he told the Star today.

Geick had criticized the government last week for not bringing in independent investigators, which he’d been advocating for some time now.

“It’s about time they brought someone in,” he added.

However, he remained concerned that the government changing its story may erode public trust and point to a bigger issue of miscommunication between the department and Frost’s office.

“All of a sudden, they’re hiring someone to come in to do an investigation, so there must be some truth to what was said,” he continued.

Doris Bill, the chief of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation, has also argued for an Outside investigation.

The opposition, meanwhile, remains critical of the government’s efforts.

“It’s unfortunate that the minister (Frost) didn’t take this action three months ago, right from day one,” said Stacey Hassard, the Yukon Party’s interim leader.

Hassard told the Star Wednesday that “we would be a lot further ahead now if they had.”

He pointed out that NDP Leader Liz Hanson brought forward a motion in the legislature weeks ago asking that the government bring in an independent investigator.

“The Yukon Party agreed and the government used its majority to vote that option down,” Hassard pointed out.

“It’s very weird that they felt compelled to try and hide this issue.”

Hanson said last month department officials may have been purposely keeping important information about the controversy from Frost.

For her part, Frost admitted that the question of why there is a contradiction between what department officials said at the April 13 press briefing and the information her government received throughout the last days is “being asked of me elsewhere as well.”

When asked about the possibility of a coverup, the minister said, “I wouldn’t so as far as to say that.”

Rather, the government is “trying to determine why we were given information that was perhaps not accurate.”

The government confirmed that both the advisor and investigator have already begun their work.

Frost could not provide a timeline under which the investigator is working.

However, the spokesperson later verified that Costanzo will look at incidents dating back to 2015.