Evidence of meeting #29 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 status.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
Jean Crowder NDP Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC
Just really briefly, in your presentation you mentioned the sunsetting of the AHRDA agreements. I know that's a big concern across the country. Are there productive, ongoing discussions? That's March 2010, when they're sunsetting, is that right?
National Chief, Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
On March 31, 2010, the AHRDA agreements, as they are right now, will cease to exist. That will take the ability away from our communities to assist our people with ongoing training and educational opportunities. They are coming up with something called the ASETS, which, unless you have the money to buy into these programs, you're going to be totally left out of.
So we're not in favour of these new programs that they're coming up with. And we don't believe that enough consultation has occurred on this problem.
NDP
Jean Crowder NDP Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC
Just as a quick follow-up, with the sunsetting of the AHRDA agreements and the new proposed way that it's going to be handled, the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples has not been included. I know some of the affiliates are actually delivering the AHRDA programs, is that right?
National Chief, Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
That's right. We have a national AHRDA accord. Because some of our PTOs were not able to secure AHRDA funding on their own, we're able to assist them with a subagreement to provide a little bit of training and employment opportunities for their constituents. This will now take the ability away from us to help our own people get some post-secondary—I mean, it even allows them to get literacy training, for those who can't read; it allows them to complete high school; it assists single moms with children to work with the caseworkers with the social department and do what they call client management. All the partners work together to allow her to get back into the workforce and get off social assistance, and then that makes her a productive citizen, because now she becomes a taxpayer and contributes to the economy. That's an extremely important program. It's not a handout, it's a hand up for our people.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bruce Stanton
If you would like, we have a bit of time. Did you want to introduce the two gentlemen who have accompanied you here today? We didn't really get them on the record at all.
National Chief, Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
To my left is Alastair MacPhee. Alastair has worked with the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples for a number of years, in particular in environmental and health issues, and lately he's been very instrumental in assisting us through a transitional period.
To my right is Mr. Roger Hunka. Mr. Hunka has been with the organization, I think, almost since the first seed was sown. Sometimes he forgets he's non-aboriginal, that's how passionate he is. Someday we will tell him that. But Roger was kind enough to move from Nova Scotia, where he was the executive director and director of intergovernmental affairs for the Maritime Aboriginal Peoples Council, which is made up of the Native Council of Nova Scotia, Native Council of P.E.I., and New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council. He was running our AAROM program in partnership with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Roger was around for the constitutional talks, the repatriation of the Constitution, Meech Lake, and--
Roger Hunka National Bilateral Director, Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
You just aged me. I just look young.
National Chief, Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
So they're very experienced men in the world of politics and aboriginal issues.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bruce Stanton
Very good. Thank you very much for that.
We just have one item from Mr. Bagnell, and then we'll wrap up. Just stay put and we'll do this one item.
Conservative
Liberal
Larry Bagnell Liberal Yukon, YT
For people watching who may not know, could you describe your membership a little bit, whether organizations and individuals can be members, and how they become members, and roughly how many there are?
National Chief, Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
Each PTO has different constitution bylaws. I can speak to New Brunswick.
In New Brunswick, the chief and president is elected by universal suffrage. Any officer, aboriginal person, whether they're a member or not, has the right to have themselves put on the voters list and can vote for the president and chief of the New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council. Each organization has their own membership criteria and their own registrar and so on, depending on what area of the country that you go to.
So everybody is somewhat different, depending on the circumstances. In the east, we're still dealing with pre-Confederation treaties, and then as you go west, each area is somewhat different.
National Chief, Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
In New Brunswick over the years we've had more than 8,000 people, I'd say, come through our doors.
The fact is, in order to get services, you do not have to be a member of the organization. A membership is no different from what it would be for a member of the NDP, the Conservative Party, or the Liberals. It's there for those who wish to participate in the politics of the organization. It's not there in order to get services.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bruce Stanton
Just for the record, you reference PTO. That's a provincial-territorial organization.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bruce Stanton
Mr. Bagnell, just before we conclude, did you have one other point in regard to our committee business?
Liberal
Larry Bagnell Liberal Yukon, YT
This is just a point of information.
When we do the trip to Whitehorse and Yellowknife, MPs will be travelling on their travel points. I'm sure the people in those two territories would appreciate, if it's possible, if it fits the scheduling, if you were to use the airlines that are owned in the north. When you're going to Whitehorse, there's an airline called Air North; and when you're going to Yellowknife, there are two northern airlines, First Air and Canadian North. Hopefully, if it fits our schedule, we could use those options, because you're using your travel points.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bruce Stanton
Continuing on that same topic, I would just note that on the trip that is planned for Iqaluit—subject, of course, to the Liaison Committee's approval of the travel, and the House's approval, for that matter—all flights will be with First Air.
Ladies and gentlemen, that really wraps it up.
Ms. Lavallée and guests, we've been delighted to have you here today. There's no doubt that this has been quite a rare day for our committee, to hear from three important leaders in the aboriginal community across the country.
Have a safe trip home, and again, thank you for attending this afternoon.
The committee is adjourned until Thursday at 11 o'clock.