Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on Feb. 26th, 2009

[John Duncan, Conservative, Vancouver Island North, BC]

So in a sense, that student number of 23,000 could be a different number, at least theoretically. Am I correct?

[Neil Yeates]

It's what is reported to us. As I said earlier, we don't have, if you like, an individual student-based system like Canada student loans has. We don't have that kind of system. This is what's reported to us from first nations.

[John Duncan, Conservative, Vancouver Island North, BC]

Is there an expectation that if we transfer a certain allotment that will create a certain number of students?

So technically it could be correct, and I assume this is part of the review, that there are moneys allocated that never actually go to students.

Earlier you made the statement, and then I assume it was somebody from HRSDC who dropped a note saying they also do not have any numbers in terms of student debt load for aboriginal students. But the way you worded it was such that you said you have no aboriginal experience in terms of numbers. I just wanted to confirm that that terminology meant experience in numbers in terms of debt load. Is that correct?

[Neil Yeates]

Yes, that is correct. I think that was the original question. Do we know about their experience with debt? And no, we don't have. It was a member of our staff from INAC who provided that note, just so you know.

[John Duncan, Conservative, Vancouver Island North, BC]

I could talk for a minute about--

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Todd Russell]

No, you can't. You have 15 seconds.

[John Duncan, Conservative, Vancouver Island North, BC]

I just have a plea. Members of Parliament represent the entire country. We need some aboriginal awareness on some of these programs that are available. Our offices are disarmed. We don't have enough information on what's available for our own constituents. Many of us represent serious, significant populations. I think we could be utilized more.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Todd Russell]

Thank you, Mr. Duncan.

Mr. Lévesque, for five minutes.

[Yvon Lévesque, Bloc, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Ms. Cram, in answer to a question, you said that $10 million has been given to the University of Saskatchewan. Did I get that right?

[Christine Cram]

The amount is approximately $7 million, not $10 million.

[Yvon Lévesque, Bloc, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

And that $7 million is part of—

[Christine Cram]

I am sorry, did I misunderstand you?

[Yvon Lévesque, Bloc, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

I'm talking about assistance provided to the University of Saskatchewan.

[Christine Cram]

Yes, I did misunderstand. I thought you were talking about the First Nations University of Canada.

[Yvon Lévesque, Bloc, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

In Saskatchewan.

[Christine Cram]

So, you are talking about the First Nations University of Canada.

[Yvon Lévesque, Bloc, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

Yes, I am.

[Christine Cram]

The federal government provides a little more than $7 million to that university on a yearly basis. The province also provides funding.

[Yvon Lévesque, Bloc, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

And that $7 million is part of the $22 million amount you mentioned at the outset.

[Christine Cram]

Yes, that's correct.

[Yvon Lévesque, Bloc, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

Can you tell me what that $7 million is used for?

[Christine Cram]

I cannot tell you exactly how the First Nations University of Canada spends that money. It is the only university that is given money for its operating expenses.

[Yvon Lévesque, Bloc, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

I see.

[Christine Cram]

The money is used to cover operating expenses, but also to pay teachers and that sort of thing. The university receives money from the federal and provincial governments and from its students. It sets a budget and decides on how it will operate. Our share is a little more than $7 million.

[Yvon Lévesque, Bloc, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

Using the model for that university, the First Nations Pavilion was established in Val-d'Or, in my riding. Has that institution applied for funding to assist with its operating expenses?