Evidence of meeting #18 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was students.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Mr. Roger Préfontaine
Keith Frame  Research Coordinator, Prince Albert Grand Council

10:30 a.m.

Research Coordinator, Prince Albert Grand Council

Keith Frame

For me, taking some of those plane rides and car rides and talking to people is very tough. I guess what makes it tough is when you recognize opportunity lost, when you see potential that's gone. What I mean by opportunity lost is having young individuals with strong minds, strong bodies, and full of ambition who don't need to be motivated because they're ready to go, but it's not there for them.

When I talk with other folks, other directors and superintendents of public schools in Saskatchewan in region 5, in the northern region where I work, I tell them, as I said before, that we all share the same province and we all share the same students, because they move a fair amount, and we all share the same future. A student with a treaty number in Black Lake who gets a dental assistant diploma benefits everybody, not just the community of Black Lake. When a teacher gets a degree and starts teaching students, those students will disperse across the country. It's not the opportunity of Black Lake. It's not the opportunity of the Prince Albert Grand Council or Saskatchewan. It's the opportunity that's being lost for all of us.

10:30 a.m.

Conservative

Bruce Stanton Conservative Simcoe North, ON

So in fact what really makes it so difficult is realizing that some of the people from these communities are just not able to get the opportunity to get into that position; they're not able to make that kind of contribution. And you have to satisfy yourself. You said you were thick-skinned. Have you had to actually tell people that this is the end of the road, that they can't likely make it any further?

10:30 a.m.

Research Coordinator, Prince Albert Grand Council

Keith Frame

Boy, I hope I don't ever get to the point where I say that to somebody.

10:30 a.m.

Conservative

Bruce Stanton Conservative Simcoe North, ON

I know, but you were saying that you were thick-skinned--

10:30 a.m.

Research Coordinator, Prince Albert Grand Council

Keith Frame

Have I had to have a realistic conversation with people? Yes, I have.

10:30 a.m.

Conservative

Bruce Stanton Conservative Simcoe North, ON

Okay.

10:30 a.m.

Research Coordinator, Prince Albert Grand Council

Keith Frame

I mentioned the mum who phoned who thought I would just write a cheque and send the little boy she adopted to school because he was accepted. For some people, that's an easy conversation. For me, I want them to understand what's taking place, as opposed to the frustration that comes when someone has to say no to you--

10:30 a.m.

Conservative

Bruce Stanton Conservative Simcoe North, ON

Got you.

10:30 a.m.

Research Coordinator, Prince Albert Grand Council

Keith Frame

--because you have reached that point where you're ready to take the next step.

10:30 a.m.

Conservative

Bruce Stanton Conservative Simcoe North, ON

Thank you.

10:30 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Colin Mayes

Thank you.

We'll end the questions now.

On behalf of the committee, I would really like to thank Mr. Frame for being here today and for sharing the work he has done and some of the insights.

We're looking forward to another opportunity to review the report that you have brought forward.

10:35 a.m.

Research Coordinator, Prince Albert Grand Council

Keith Frame

I appreciate it. Thank you for inviting me.

As I said at the start, I can speak on behalf of the Prince Albert Grand Council and the work I do in northern Saskatchewan, and I'm confident that some of the issues I've talked about are taking place with my colleagues in other areas and regions of Canada. I always enjoy talking to folks about these issues. I guess this is the first time people have allowed me to talk. Usually I'm cut off.

Again, thank you for the time. I appreciate it.

10:35 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Colin Mayes

Thank you.

10:35 a.m.

Voices

Hear, hear!

10:35 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Colin Mayes

Committee, we're going to move on to committee business. There is the planning of our future business. I met with the clerk and the research staff.

Does the committee want this to be in camera?

10:35 a.m.

Conservative

Rod Bruinooge Conservative Winnipeg South, MB

Yes, we probably should.

10:35 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Colin Mayes

I'll suspend for five minutes, until we have the room cleared.

Mr. Lemay.

10:35 a.m.

Bloc

Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC

If it is in camera, Mr. Chairman, it is customary to have one representative for each party.

10:35 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Colin Mayes

Is it per party or per staff?

10:35 a.m.

Bloc

Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC

Per staff.

10:35 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Colin Mayes

Mr. Lemay, each member can have a staff person here, not per party but per member here.

I was challenged on that at the last meeting and I checked and found out that all of the people who were here were--

10:35 a.m.

Liberal

Carolyn Bennett Liberal St. Paul's, ON

Could all those people introduce themselves?

10:35 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Colin Mayes

Certainly. Could I have those staff members identify themselves and say what their connection is?

10:35 a.m.

Liberal

Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB

I don't mind if you don't go in camera.

10:35 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Colin Mayes

We'll go in camera now.

[Proceedings continue in camera]