Evidence of meeting #186 for Finance in the 42nd Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was benefit.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Michael McLeod Liberal Northwest Territories, NT
I didn't hear clearly. Was it the Tsimshian First Nations you mentioned?
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Finance
It was the Tsimshian First Nations, yes.
Liberal
Michael McLeod Liberal Northwest Territories, NT
I do have a question in this area. It says $2 million for the first nations for consultations. What is the purpose of the consultations?
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Finance
As was announced recently, the decision was to divest the Ridley Terminals, and this is capacity funding. As part of the consulting process, the $2 million was provided to the Tsimshian First Nations. I'll just find it....
Darlene Bess Chief Financial Officer, Financial Management Directorate, Department of Finance
Can I jump in?
It's just to provide them with funding for financial and legal advice to support their participation in the consultation process for the divestiture of Ridley Terminals.
Liberal
Michael McLeod Liberal Northwest Territories, NT
Are there plans for other consultations? We have a lot of need in my riding where the first nations are looking for money for consultation and for negotiations. Are there plans to do more than—
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Finance
Do you mean in relation to Ridley?
Liberal
Northumberland—Peterborough South, Lib.
If you use your earpiece you will hear him.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
This is a very hard room to hear in, so you pretty well need your earpiece.
Go ahead.
Chief Financial Officer, Financial Management Directorate, Department of Finance
This is just for the supplementary estimates, and this funding is specifically for the Ridley Terminals consultation. As for future funding for consultations on other initiatives, I can't speak to that.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
There is no money requested for this for other consultations in the supplementary estimates.
Mr. Julian, go ahead.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Ridley Terminals consultations go beyond the Tsimshian First Nations. Where is that money found in the estimates?
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Finance
That's not part of these supplementary estimates.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
I understand, but the consultations go far beyond that, so I'm just wondering where that money would be found in the supplementary estimates. If it's not in the Ministry of Finance, and we know that the federal government is spending beyond consultations with the Tsimshian, then where is that money to be found?
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Finance
Are you saying for other groups that are involved?
Director, Financial Management and Reporting, Corporate Services Branch, Department of Finance
It's probably in other government departments. We could get back to you on that question. I don't know that answer at this moment.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Okay. Then I will ask, if the money is spread out throughout a number of different departments, why is the Department of Finance assuming the funding for the Tsimshian First Nations for consultation? I'm trying to understand how that allocation worked. You have a number of departments involved, and money that has been allocated. How is it that the Ministry of Finance is allocating $2 million for consultations?
I'm not questioning the validity of the consultations. I'm just trying to track the money.
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Finance
We'll get back to you in terms of the tracking.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
Peter, in terms of this question, do you want the allocated money for consultations across departments, or just from Finance?
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
I'd like it from across departments, but I am also curious as to why a portion of it is allocated to the Ministry of Finance.