Aboriginal Affairs January 29th, 2013

Mr. Speaker, we are committed to structural reforms. We cannot throw money at a problem. We need to make structural reforms.

In December I launched an intensive consultation process that will take place with first nations parents, students, educational leaders and educators from coast to coast to coast. The first of these sessions took place last week. I have written to every community to invite them to these sessions. Their input will be critical to the development of the national first nations education act.

Questions on the Order Paper January 28th, 2013

Mr. Speaker, insofar as Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada is concerned, our response is as follows.

In 2010-2011, the Government of Canada invested approximately $1.5 billion to support first nation elementary and secondary education, with an additional $304 million provided to first nations for the construction and maintenance of education infrastructure on reserve. Note that all financial data is sourced from AANDC’s financial system and reflects total expenditures transferred by AANDC to first nations and other eligible recipients for the purposes of supporting elementary and secondary education for first nation students ordinarily resident on reserve.

These investments supported approximately 117,500 first nation students, ordinarily residing on reserve, in their elementary or secondary education. Note that student numbers are derived from AANDC nominal roll data for the 2010-11 school year.

Taking into consideration that a number of these students were part-time, for example kindergarten, this translated into 111,711 full-time equivalent students, FTEs, receiving support in 2010-2011. This number includes an estimated 10,343 FTEs that are covered under self-government education agreements, as well as 38 FTEs that are funded through the Yukon regional office but reside and go to school in northern British Columbia.

Approximately 60%, or 67,568 FTEs, of these students attended band-operated schools, while 36%, or 40,732 FTEs, attended provincially operated schools. The remaining 4%, or 3,411 FTEs, of students attended private schools or one of the seven federally operated schools.

On a per capita basis, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, AANDC, provided approximately $13,524 per FTE in 2010-2011. Not included in this calculation is the $304 million to maintain and improve education infrastructure for band-operated schools. It should be noted that there is considerable variation in the level of per-student funding across the country, and any funding comparisons must consider the factors that influence per-student funding levels in order to be meaningful, such as school size, geographic location, et cetera.

In 2010-2011, AANDC’s expenditures for first nation elementary and secondary education comprised a set of basic services and proposal-based programs. Some of these programs and services apply to first nation students attending both band-operated and provincial schools and, with the exception of instructional services and high cost special education, cannot be accurately broken down between those who attend band schools and those who attend provincial schools. It should also be noted that these expenditures reflect the funding provided by AANDC to first nation communities that generally have the flexibility to adjust funding levels to address their priorities within the terms and conditions of the respective programs.

Aboriginal Affairs January 28th, 2013

Mr. Speaker, we are focused on creating jobs and economic opportunities for aboriginal Canadians, and we are getting results. For example, over the past month I announced eight more first nations would join the 61 first nations that had chosen freedom from 34 sections of the Indian Act. Just last week, I also announced new regulations that would allow a natural gas project to move forward on the Haisla First Nation in northwest British Columbia, creating well-paying jobs and economic growth.

Aboriginal Affairs January 28th, 2013

Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the concrete actions we have taken to improve the lives of aboriginal people over the past years.

Since 2010, I have brought forward six pieces of legislation that will improve the living standards of aboriginal men, women and children across the country. Just this past month I announced funding for clean drinking water projects and economic development initiatives and a national initiative to improve first nation graduation rates.

I remain committed to working with aboriginal people and to taking concrete steps to enable them to become full participants in the economy.

Aboriginal Affairs January 28th, 2013

Mr. Speaker, our government respects our obligations on the duty to consult. Every year we carry out approximately 5,000 consultations with first nations.

As minister, I have now visited over 50 first nation communities since 2010. I have had hundreds of productive meetings with first nation chiefs, councillors and community members across the country. We will continue to work in partnership with first nations to create the conditions for stronger, healthier communities.

Aboriginal Affairs January 28th, 2013

Mr. Speaker, the member opposite knows we have been working in partnership with first nations for seven consecutive years. Since 2006 we have delivered on our promise to improve accountability and transparency. We have settled over 80 land claims. We have invested in over 700 projects that are linking aboriginals in Canada with jobs, job training, counselling and mentorship programs.

We are proud of our record. We will continue to support first nations so they can achieve the prosperity they deserve.

Aboriginal Affairs January 28th, 2013

Mr. Speaker, we are working in partnership with first nations on the issues addressed in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We continue to work with willing partners on shared priorities, including education, economic development and access to safe drinking water.

Our government continues to take action because we believe that first nations deserve the same opportunities as all other Canadians.

Questions on the Order Paper December 10th, 2012

Mr. Speaker, since the fourth quarter of 2008-09, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, AANDC, provides grants and contributions information on a quarterly basis under proactive disclosure reporting for all budgeted amounts, both lower and greater than $25,000.

AANDC’s proactive disclosure is available online at: http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/prodis/grtcon/rprts-eng.asp.

The public proactive disclosure contains information on awarded amounts to individuals, organizations or other levels of government for all programs within a specific quarter. The allocation may not necessarily be what was paid to the recipient. It may include initial or amended allocations by program by recipient and by quarter. Due to the full disclosure of amounts, some amounts are relatively small.

Aboriginal Affairs December 6th, 2012

Mr. Speaker, we believe the best way to ensure first nation children and families get the support and services they need is by working together with first nations, the provinces and the territories. Our commitment to supporting first nation children and families is clear. We have significantly increased funding and partnerships to enable first nation children and families to access the services they need.