Four months after Quebec invested millions to rebuild in Val d’Or due to a so-called “crisis of trust,” the province’s native affairs minister says progress has been made.

The $6.1-million investment came after troubling allegations surfaced that several native women were abused by Surete du Quebec officers.

Native Affairs Minister Geoff Kelley says he's inspired by what he saw in the community during his recent visit.

He said community leaders have done a great deal of work in terms of better coordinating resources, support and getting projects started in a very short period of time.

He cited a 24-unit social housing project that is in the works as an example.

Kelley said one of the highlights of his visit was the opening of a drop-in centre for the homeless, called Chez Willie or Willie's place. It offers a space for those in need to receive food, support, help and shelter. The staff is particularly sensitized to the needs of the aboriginal community.

This follow-up visit comes four months after the allegations that native women were abused by SQ officers.

The government was criticized for not reacting more quickly.

At that time and still today, there are calls for a public inquiry into the matter, but Kelley said given that the federal government is set to hold its own inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women that will deal with very similar issues, the minister feels there are more efficient ways to rebuild trust between natives and police forces.

“A public inquiry is a long process and I think there are things in terms of improving police community relations that we can get started on sooner. That's my hope that we can find a formula that we can work together to improve those relations as soon as possible,” said Kelley.

Kelley also visited the community of Lac-Simon, where two and a half weeks ago, rookie police officer Thierry Leroux was killed in the line of duty.

The minister said what he saw is proof that everyone can work together to make things better – adding that there remains a lot of work to be done.