Evidence of meeting #42 for Finance in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was officials.
A video is available from Parliament.
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
The court decision also indicated that new legislation would be developed to replace the act.
I am just wondering if any officials on the line would be able to enlighten the committee on what types of consultations are taking place and who is being consulted.
Acting Director, Regional Operations, Indigenous Services, Department of Indigenous Services
I would start by saying that the Assembly of First Nations has been leading engagements with first nations since about 2018. That's been through a number of forums, including water symposiums and water summits with chiefs and council, water operators and water experts. That is one area.
The second area would be engagements through negotiations on the settlement agreement for the safe drinking water litigation.
Third, there were direct engagements around repeal just in March.
We're also working with the Assembly of First Nations moving forward on legislation, as the budget announced.
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Just so that it's clear to me, the overarching organization you're working with is the Assembly of First Nations. Are you working with any of the Inuit organizations and Métis organizations, or is it just the Assembly of First Nations?
Acting Director, Regional Operations, Indigenous Services, Department of Indigenous Services
This is largely a first nations-led engagement, yes.
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
That's unfortunate, especially with what's happening in Nunavut right now with clean drinking water.
Has the development of the new legislation begun?
Acting Director, Regional Operations, Indigenous Services, Department of Indigenous Services
Currently we're working on establishing a framework that will help inform legislation, and that's with the Assembly of First Nations.
Acting Director, Regional Operations, Indigenous Services, Department of Indigenous Services
What I can say, as was pointed out through the settlement agreement, is that it commits Canada to developing and introducing replacement legislation in consultation with first nations by December 31 of this year.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Thank you, MP Gazan. That is the time.
We are moving to the Conservatives for five minutes.
Conservative
Jake Stewart Conservative Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Chair, first of all, I'd like to give notice of motion for the following:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Standing Committee on Finance undertake a study of the Canada Revenue Agency’s conduct regarding the decision on Advanced Pricing Arrangements and: That the Commission of the Canada Revenue Agency appear for two hours at the beginning of the study; That the Commission of the Canada Revenue Agency appear again for two hours at the end of the study; That the Canadians for Tax Fairness as well as business and academic experts be invited as witnesses; That whistleblowers be invited to testify in camera; That the committee allocate four (4) meetings to hear from witnesses, and; That the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House.
Conservative
Jake Stewart Conservative Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB
With respect to this motion, Mr. Chair, the clerk will be getting it as well as a translated version.
I just want to put the members of the committee on notice and give them time for their consideration.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Thank you, MP Stewart.
I was thinking it was the same as MP Albas's motion, but it is a different motion. Yes, we have that.
Conservative
Conservative
Jake Stewart Conservative Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB
Hopefully the members have just been put on notice, and that will give you some time to think about it.
I do have some questions for the officials as well.
Do I have two more minutes?
Conservative
Jake Stewart Conservative Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB
To the officials, thanks for being here today as well.
How much money is government expecting to collect as a result of debt repayments on the initial CERB advance payment?
Steven Coté Executive Director, Employment Insurance, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Employment and Social Development
As of right now on the advance payment activity, there have been over one million people who have repaid among the people who have been identified. I don't have the number of the exact amount of money that's expected to be fully paid, but there are notices of debt being sent out now to the remaining individuals.
Conservative
Jake Stewart Conservative Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB
The government does not have an expectation or a target for what the amount is.
Executive Director, Employment Insurance, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Employment and Social Development
There's a target number of people who have been identified as having advance payments that are outstanding. I believe there are 1.7 million in total, of which 715,000 have had notices sent out. However, for the total value, I don't have that number.
Conservative
Executive Director, Employment Insurance, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Employment and Social Development
Yes, I can check into that for sure.
Conservative
Jake Stewart Conservative Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB
Thank you.
How much money is the government expecting to collect as a result of debt repayments on the CESB payments for those deemed ineligible by the CRA?
Executive Director, Employment Insurance, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Employment and Social Development
My CRA colleagues are with me here now and can correct me, but I can take a shot at that answer first, Mr. Chair, if it's okay.
That work is not under way as of yet. There is an integrity process that goes under way to determine ineligibility. That work has been delayed as a result of ongoing benefits delivery and the omicron variant, so that work has not been undertaken.