House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 17% of the vote.
Aboriginal Affairs May 28th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, our government continues to take concrete steps to support first nations in providing safe housing. Every year significant resources are allocated to first nations to help them meet their housing needs, for which they are responsible.
Since 2006, close to 12,000 new homes have been built and there have been renovations to 22,000 existing homes in first nations. We will continue that good work.
Northern Development May 27th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, I cannot help but add that if they were able to impose this carbon tax, it would be even colder. The cost of food would go up, and the cost of hunting everything in the north would go up.
We have accepted the recommendations of the Auditor General, and we are currently examining eligibility criteria. We are collecting data from the communities in the north, and we will review the eligibility criteria.
Business of Supply May 13th, 2015
Mr. Chair, simply, we are continuing to work with the Nunavut Planning Commission to manage Canada's funding requirements and the commission's funding needs. I am optimistic that through open communication, Canada and the commission can ensure that it receives the support it requires to implement its obligations under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. That is the position of the government.
Business of Supply May 13th, 2015
Mr. Chair, the minister responsible for CanNor is the hon. member for Nunavut. I am sure she would be pleased to answer any questions the member has in regard to CanNor.
Business of Supply May 13th, 2015
Mr. Chair, with all due respect to the hon. member, this is a CanNor issue. That is where he should be directing his question.
Business of Supply May 13th, 2015
Mr. Chair, what the minister will do is receive the recommendations of the board, look at them diligently and then make a decision.
Business of Supply May 13th, 2015
Mr. Chair, as in the Beaufort Sea, Canada has indeed a strategic interest in advancing oil and gas exploration in the eastern Arctic where no exploration rights have been issued since the seventies.
As early as 2012, the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development officials made public commitments to undertake a strategic environmental assessment to inform a ministerial decision around whether, when and where oil and gas companies might be invited to bid on parcels of land for exploration rights in Baffin Bay and Davis Strait under the Canada Petroleum Resources Act. That commitment has already been made and it will take place.
Business of Supply May 13th, 2015
Mr. Chair, the government has indicated its commitment to improving this program. Just last fall, we announced a further investment of over $11 million into the program.
We believe as a government that northerners should maintain a direct voice in the nutrition north program, which is why we enlist the advice of local community members to help guide the direction of that program. I have asked the advisory board to consider how we can improve the program. My understanding is that it is discharging its responsibility with diligence.
Business of Supply May 13th, 2015
Mr. Chair, as we have already indicated, the department will complete the first phase of a detailed review of all isolated northern communities to better understand the challenges they face due to isolation in accessing perishable nutritious food in the final half of 2015.
Remote communities in the three territories and seven provinces were examined, including their year-round access to approximately 30 supply centres, and recommendations on community eligibility will be developed.
Business of Supply May 13th, 2015
Mr. Chair, that member is confused. On the one hand he says that the program does not work, and then he says that we should bring it to other communities. He should make up his mind as to whether or not the program works.
The fact of the matter is that we have already indicated that we are examining the criteria for admissibility under the program in order to reflect the needs issue, which the Auditor General indicated in his report and which we have accepted as a recommendation.