Evidence of meeting #24 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was schools.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Director, Policy and Intergovernmental Relations, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Yes, that's true. You are right in saying that it is complicated.
In fact, last year, approximately $117 million, which represents the regional education budget, was allocated to first nations.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
When you refer to the regional budget, are you talking about the Quebec region?
Director, Policy and Intergovernmental Relations, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Yes, I am talking about the Quebec region.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Fine.
So that's $117 million for the approximately 60 communities in Quebec.
Director, Policy and Intergovernmental Relations, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
No, that does not include the Cree and Inuit. It's only for first nations. It excludes « convention nations ».
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
We are talking about the Attikamek, the Algonquins, and others. So the amount is $118 million?
Director, Policy and Intergovernmental Relations, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Yes, nearly $118 million. In fact, it is $117.4 million.
Director, Policy and Intergovernmental Relations, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Yes, absolutely.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
How can you make sure that the money is indeed spent on education?
Director, Policy and Intergovernmental Relations, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Various compliance audits are carried out, such as our assessment of the schools. The financial statements are audited each year and account for the money that is spent under the various programs that receive funding.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
In your opinion, since you have experience, is the money well and truly spent on education?
Director, Policy and Intergovernmental Relations, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
I dare hope so. In fact, I am basically convinced that it is. Beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
If my community grows by 3.2% each year, as is the case of many communities, at a certain point I won't have enough funding.
Let's look at the department's figures. The amount of 2%, cumulative since 1996 — the year in which the threshold was established — represents a funding shortfall of $1.5 billion since 1996. So for Quebec alone, that represents $233 million.
How can the communities cope?
Director, Policy and Intergovernmental Relations, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Some communities have their own sources of revenue, such as royalties from Hydro Quebec, which they receive when major work affecting the community is carried out.
I would be lying if I said that all of Quebec first nations receive such royalties.
Director, Policy and Intergovernmental Relations, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
A few years ago, the Quebec regional office launched a small initiative, which was possible because of our regional flexibility, to help some small schools. So we invested some additional money in eight small schools in Quebec to help them as much as we could.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
I think you will agree with me that the funding formula of 1996 is not valid anymore. At the very least, it should be changed.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Education and Social Development Programs and Partnerships Sector, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Yes.
We recognize that if we want to obtain better results, two things have to happen: likely, more investments, but also different kinds of programs. What does that mean? How are they going to be funded? Is the best way to do this through a formula? I don't know. We have to study these things.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Ms. Cram, there is something I don't understand, and I have a problem with it. We were told something yesterday or the day before yesterday. This always happens at the last minute. Communities do not know what programs will be at their disposal this year, that is, 2009-2010.
Is that actually possible?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Education and Social Development Programs and Partnerships Sector, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
The only thing they don't know about are those two new programs.
As Ms. Keenan explained, we have just sent out the letters. As for the rest, discussions are underway.
Communities that have signed a five-year funding arrangement know exactly what amounts are involved. As for the communities that signed a comprehensive one-year funding arrangement, discussions began well before the beginning of the current fiscal year with regard to the amounts they will receive.
However, all education programs have been extended; they will simply be administered differently. There is a basic funding for basic programs, what we call core funding and programs, and the contributions are made to achieve specific objectives.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
I will be brief. There is one thing I would like to understand. You live in Quebec, but we cannot speak for the others. In Quebec, a great deal of work must be done in the area of vocational training. Aboriginal communities want to carry out the whole infrastructure program in their community, and so on. You know what I mean.
Will this program be funded? Will they be receiving additional funds, or will they come from their current budget?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Education and Social Development Programs and Partnerships Sector, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
I think there are two points here. Quebec has a type of vocational training at the high school level. That is one thing, and it represents a challenge for us. I will ask Céline to explain that.
For training other than that offered at high school, there are other federal government programs,
HRSDC programs that are directed to training and skills development.
I'm going to ask Ms. Laverdière to add...
