Evidence of meeting #6 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.
Conservative
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?
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
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.
Conservative
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?
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
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.
Conservative
Conservative
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.
Liberal
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?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Education and Social Development Programs and Partnerships Sector, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
The amount is approximately $7 million, not $10 million.
Bloc
Assistant Deputy Minister, Education and Social Development Programs and Partnerships Sector, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
I am sorry, did I misunderstand you?
Bloc
Yvon Lévesque Bloc Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC
I'm talking about assistance provided to the University of Saskatchewan.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Education and Social Development Programs and Partnerships Sector, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Yes, I did misunderstand. I thought you were talking about the First Nations University of Canada.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Education and Social Development Programs and Partnerships Sector, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
So, you are talking about the First Nations University of Canada.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Education and Social Development Programs and Partnerships Sector, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
The federal government provides a little more than $7 million to that university on a yearly basis. The province also provides funding.
Bloc
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.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Education and Social Development Programs and Partnerships Sector, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Yes, that's correct.
Bloc
Yvon Lévesque Bloc Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC
Can you tell me what that $7 million is used for?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Education and Social Development Programs and Partnerships Sector, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
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.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Education and Social Development Programs and Partnerships Sector, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
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.
Bloc
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?
