Yes.
Evidence of meeting #23 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was school.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #23 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was school.
A recording is available from Parliament.
10:45 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bruce Stanton
Okay, so it's application-based. You apply for the salary enhancement, but would that then come over and above your 2% increase on general allocations?
10:45 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bruce Stanton
Okay, that's what I wasn't sure about.
Chief, did you wish to say something?
10:45 a.m.
Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador, Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador, First Nations Education Council
The only thing I would like to add, because we quoted the Auditor General, is that we could have put so many quotes from the Auditor General into the presentation, even the ones referring to the types of agreements signed between the government and our communities. Many of these agreements are failing to meet the reality of our communities.
And I think if there's one message that needs to be put before you this morning, it's to ask when we are going to take these issues seriously and go beyond partisanship and attack the situation head-on, because we seem to be, as I said, at the mercy of a process we obviously don't control. The price we pay is the situation we find not only in education but in all areas affecting our communities.
10:45 a.m.
Timiskaming Community, First Nations Education Council
I just wanted to add something. Mr. Lemay asked what question we'd like him to ask the Department of Indian Affairs. I guess the question would be how many thousands or possibly millions of dollars were spent on studies that ended up with the same results. When are they going to start to take action on these things?
I think everyone should put their egos aside and deal with the issue.
10:45 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bruce Stanton
I must say this has been a very informative meeting, and we appreciate your presentation here this morning and all of the questions from members. As you know, and as I'm sure all members realize, this is a critical question for aboriginal peoples across the country.
Witnesses, could you stay here for a minute before we break officially?
There is a small piece of business, if it's acceptable to the committee. I've circulated the agenda for the remainder of this session, which takes us up to June 23. If it's okay to proceed with this, we'll deal with a short piece of business and then we'll adjourn.
The three items in the left-hand column of your agenda for June 9, 16, and 23 in fact are what has been proposed by the subcommittee for the remainder of our session. You will see we're suggesting the 23rd in fact not be scheduled. We had already agreed we would not have a meeting on the 11th because of the anniversary of the residential school apology, so if it's acceptable—unless there are any other questions—we will proceed according to the agenda that has been circulated.
Monsieur Lemay.
10:50 a.m.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
We had also agreed that, if there was a problem in terms of economic development in the North, we would look at the funding of First Nations governance. We talked about June 9 or 16. Is that okay?
10:50 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bruce Stanton
The government support programs, yes.
That was our plan B, Monsieur Lemay, and in fact we will proceed accordingly if we are unable to get a good panel of industry on the question of economic development in the north.
Are there any other questions? There being no other questions, we'll proceed according to this and assume that's accepted.
Again, I compliment our witnesses this morning.
The meeting is adjourned. Thank you.
