Canadian Heritage Committee on June 18th, 2021

[Melanie Kwong]

Thank you for the clarification.

The thinking is that, with this increased attention right now, we will be able to amplify the first official day this September 30. In terms of the vision, it was a very tragic event that has raised all of this attention. It's actually going to be capturing people's interest for some time. We hope to hear more voices about what this day means to all Canadians. We will see.

In fact, for us, the vision would be to listen and understand what people want to hear. We have that attention now.

[The Chair, Liberal, Scott Simms]

Thank you, Ms. Kwong, and thank you, Ms. Ien.

Mr. Champoux, please go ahead for two and a half minutes.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

I'd like to thank the witnesses once again for being with us today. This is an extremely sensitive topic we're discussing today.

I just want to be reassured, in a way. Earlier, I heard the people from the department make a connection between the funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage, that is to say the $40,000 earmarked for the creation of a memorial park, and the discovery of the children's bodies. I hope you're not making a connection between this funding and this discovery, because I would find that a bit indecent. It's a chance discovery, and I think we need to make every effort, with all of our energy and heart, to provide indigenous communities across the country with the means they will need and consider appropriate and necessary to uncover these too many tragedies that we will most likely discover in the coming months and years.

Earlier, my colleague Mr. Boulerice spoke about education received regarding indigenous history. We're from the same school system, he and I, and indeed, when we were young, in our school, we heard almost nothing about the reality of indigenous people. We heard about indigenous folklore. We thought it was charming, and it was a great story, but we realize now that the real story is completely different from what we learned in school.

We discussed this at the meetings of this committee on September 30 last year. What we were saying was that this day had to be used to correct the lack of education that existed on this issue, and that something needed to be done with this day so that it wasn't just another day off for federal public servants. We want it to be serve a purpose. It has to serve a purpose.

So I'd like you to tell me what you have in mind, because September 30, in an organizational context, is just around the corner.

What is planned, and how will you make sure this day is used, in an effective way, to educate [Technical difficulty—Editor] about the history and legacy of residential schools?

[Emmanuelle Sajous]

Thank you for the question.

The bill received royal assent on June 4. This is an important day and an important step in our reconciliation with indigenous peoples.

As I mentioned a little earlier, the first step will be to consult indigenous communities because what's important is to see how they want this day to be celebrated. The funding—

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Ms. Sajous, I'm sorry for interrupting you. I don't mean to be rude, but I only have two and a half minutes of speaking time.

This day has been planned for several months. What have you done so far and what's coming up for September 30 this year?

[Emmanuelle Sajous]

This year, we're going to organize a national event.

We're already working with indigenous organizations, including the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, or APTN, to organize a national event.

At the same time, we're working on a consultation plan with indigenous communities to determine how we'll celebrate on September 30 in future years.

[The Chair, Liberal, Scott Simms]

Thank you, Ms. Sajous.

Mr. Boulerice, you have two and a half minutes.

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I want to use my time to speak to Bill C‑15, An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which is before the Senate.

I'm not necessarily speaking to the witnesses, but to the chief justice of the Supreme Court, who is serving as Governor General right now. I would ask him to please give royal assent to this bill as quickly as possible. We would appreciate it very much, because we don't want to have to go through this process again, which was started by my colleague Romeo Saganash.

At the same time, I would like to reiterate that the Liberal government should end court challenges related to compensation for residential school victims and children who are not receiving their fair share of health and social services.

My question is more directly addressed to our witnesses.

There is talk of implementing a program to commemorate the victims of residential schools and to talk about the reality of residential schools. How do you plan to distribute the investments in the communities to fulfill this duty to remember? The reality has been different in many parts of the country.

There were 130 residential schools in Canada, only 11 of them were in Quebec. Of course, that doesn't take any responsibility away from Quebec. Still, I wonder if the investments will be made in proportion to the number of residential schools, victims and children who attended these institutions or if 10% of the funding will be provided by province.

What are you considering? What is the plan?

[Emmanuelle Sajous]

Thank you for the question.

First, we'll undertake a consultation phase, which will be conducted in a manner that takes into account the particularities of rights‑bearing communities. We'll work with first nations, Inuit and Métis.

Then we'll have a better idea of how the money will be distributed. [Technical difficulty—Editor] regional to ensure that the money will be distributed across the country.

At this point, I can't tell you if these investments will be made on a per capita basis, but it will certainly be discussed in the conversations we have, and the decision will be made with indigenous communities and survivor circles.

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Thank you for the answer.

I'll ask one last question if I have enough time.

You talk a lot about the work that needs to be done in collaboration with indigenous communities, and rightly so. How do you plan to work with the provinces? This is another aspect that has been raised.

[Emmanuelle Sajous]

At this point, we are planning to work primarily with indigenous communities across the country. We don't have a specific plan for the provinces yet.

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Scott Simms]

Thank you very much, everyone.

Because we started late, I have about five minutes left.

I don't normally do this, but given the conversation that we were having and the importance of this issue, if anybody has any quick questions—and I mean very quick, for clarification or something of that nature—would you like to ask it now before we end the meeting? All I need is a virtual show of hands if someone would like to ask something.

Okay.

Folks, I just want to say thank you very much. I want to say a big thank you to our guests here today.

Emmanuelle Sajous, I apologize for the Internet inconvenience.

She's the assistant deputy minister of sport, major events and commemorations. That also goes to Melanie Kwong, director general of major events, commemorations and capital experience. Joining us from Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, we had Amanda McCarthy, who is director of resolution and partnerships.

Now folks, this is the first half of a motion that was put forward by Mr. Waugh, as I mentioned. The other half is regarding Chief Casimir, who wanted to be available but she could not be available today. We are not done with this particular part of the motion; therefore, we'll have to make that up when we return. That would have to be after Monday, whenever that may be. I won't presuppose when that will be.

Nevertheless, is there anything further to add? No.

I just want to say thank you again to our guests.

I want to say a very special thank you to our colleagues who are guesting here today as well as my own colleagues. I want to end by saying thank you and have a great weekend, everybody.

Have a good weekend. Meegwetch.

[Emmanuelle Sajous]

Thank you very much. Goodbye.