Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on March 18th, 2010

[Greg Rickford, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

—okay, of darkness, to steal the words of my colleague.

Thank you.

My understanding is that the more than $600 million in funding to the north included support for CanNor Regional Economic Development Agency. Housing was identified as a priority and also key Arctic research facilities.

Could you provide a bit more or a breakdown of this funding than what I've identified?

[Colleen Swords]

The department puts out a report, which we've been putting out every quarter, that indicates the total investments under the economic action plan for aboriginals and northerners. It's not just for the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development; it's for all departments, because there are some programs—for example RInC—that are run by other departments.

I think the best thing to do would be to offer to provide you with a copy of that report. We know it has made a big difference in the opportunity to advance some projects in the north. For example, on environmentally contaminated sites, we've been able to move up and advance some of the rectifications of these. We've been able to fund some money for small science and research programming and projects that are done throughout the north. It has really made a big difference. The RInC program as well has been important.

I think I might turn to my colleague, Nicole Jauvin, and ask her to explain what a difference it has made for CanNor. But I will provide a copy of that report. We're just finalizing the last quarter's report; it gives you, for the whole government, what's being done for the north.

[Nicole Jauvin]

Thank you, Colleen.

I would say that it hasn't made a difference for CanNor. Hopefully it has made a difference for northerners.

Of the programs you are referring to, in particular from a CanNor perspective we were administering two: the community adjustment fund and the recreational infrastructure Canada fund. We have committed both of them in their entirety for this fiscal year. We funded 149 projects.

For example, under the community adjustment fund alone, 265 person-years of employment were created. What we call the RInC program, which is much smaller, has still created or maintained another 29 person years of employment in the three territories.

Both of these programs have been extremely well subscribed, and we are seeing direct impact of these funds flowing into the territories.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

You have time for a quick question.

[Greg Rickford, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

No, that's fine.

[Colleen Swords]

If I may add one thing I just noticed in my notes respecting the projects that relate to Arctic research, it's 20 projects that we're funding at 37 sites across the north. This has really made a big difference.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

Thank you, Mr. Rickford.

Now we'll go to Mr. Russell for five minutes. This is the last indication that someone has a question, so we may wrap up with this and then move to committee business, unless someone else puts their name on the list.

Let's go to Mr. Russell, for five minutes.

[Todd Russell, Liberal, Labrador, NL]

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll follow up on the minister's notes and subsequent questions that were asked.

On the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the government's change of heart on that particular item of business, can we get something in writing from the department about how they are going to approach the implementation of this UN declaration? The minister outlined some things they were considering—talks with national aboriginal leaders—but then he was talking about whether this should be implemented nationally or at the UN.

Can the department provide us with a bit more detail about the approach you're going to take on that particular item of business?

[Colleen Swords]

I think we can provide some indication of options and possibilities. I don't think it has all been finally decided yet.

The declaration isn't an international treaty that you sign. It's a declaration, which was like a vote in the UN, that took place several years ago. You can't go back and sign now or re-vote.

So we have to decide how it is that we're going to record the endorsement. For example, in Australia they did it through a speech from the minister of indigenous affairs that was done at a ceremony in Parliament to which people were invited. We could do that. You could decide you're going to do it at the UN. There's a whole series of options.

[Todd Russell, Liberal, Labrador, NL]

Just let us know what you're thinking on it, so that we'll have a better sense—

[Colleen Swords]

We'll get you something, but whether it's the final decision.... They're just options now.

[Todd Russell, Liberal, Labrador, NL]

I'm sure it won't be the final. It's always open to change. But I would appreciate something on it.

I don't believe we should underestimate the importance of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation. The minister says he's cutting funding to the First Nations University because it hasn't been accountable or transparent and may not be delivering results. But the same argument can be used that he's cutting funding or not renewing funding to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, when it is transparent, is accountable, and does produce results.

I guess you can use either example: a cut is a cut. But can your department provide us with an analysis of the impacts? I know we may have a study on this as well, but can your department provide us a study of what the impacts would be on survivors, on the healing options that will be available to individuals and communities? As my colleague asked, has there been a gap analysis done? How is it going to be filled?

I don't believe anybody in this room feels that the healing process is complete. For some it's starting, some may be midway through, and others may have dealt with various issues.

Can this be provided? Is that work being undertaken?

[Colleen Swords]

I think we would have to speak with Health Canada as well, because of course they play an important role in this.

If you're talking about healing, there are many aspects to it. In some cases, actually having your case heard before a tribunal is part of the healing. The truth and reconciliation commission process can—

[Todd Russell, Liberal, Labrador, NL]

It can also be more traumatic and require additional healing.

[Colleen Swords]

—also be part of the healing.

We would have to check with Health Canada, because that's a very important part to your question.

[Todd Russell, Liberal, Labrador, NL]

I have one other very quick question, if that's okay, Mr. Chair.

This comes from our analysts' looking at the supplementary estimates. “Family violence shelter services” is mentioned. I would refer you to page.... You probably don't have it with you, but page 85 mentions that $15 million is being provided to provinces to support their “budget increases for family violence shelter services, provincially billed income assistance payments and education payments and school construction”.

There are four questions. Can you provide the answers in writing to us at some point? The questions are as follows.

Please provide a detailed breakdown of the intended use of this funding for each of the above-mentioned initiatives.

It is said that in the 2009-10 Report on Plans and Priorities, the opening of five new family violence shelters by March 2011 was indicated. Are you going to meet that target?

How is the department working with the provinces in general to ensure that ongoing improvements in social services to aboriginal peoples are maintained?

There are three of the four questions. Could answers be provided to us?

[Colleen Swords]

I'll just check with my colleague, Peter Traversy. I'm sorry, I failed to introduce him. He is the acting chief financial officer for the department right now. I'll see if he can answer your question about the exact amount of money. I'll just get you the information. I'll check in my book for the information on the shelters.

[Peter Traversy, Acting Chief Financial Officer, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

In terms of the $15 million that has been reinvested in education and social billings, I have a breakdown here. This relates to the page 85 reference of $15 million. Of the total, $9.7 million was used to address provincial billings for social development and income assistance. It was $7.5 million for Manitoba and $2.2 million for Alberta. A total of $1.5 million relates to family violence and prevention due to provincial increases and shelter costs in Alberta. There is $2.5 million to address provincial billings for elementary and secondary education in Manitoba and $1.3 million to offset costs related to increased school construction costs in the Atlantic region. That's how those funds were utilized.

[Todd Russell, Liberal, Labrador, NL]

Thank you, sir.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

Okay, we're out of time. I have a request for another question for the witnesses. It's outside of the order.

Does anyone else have a question they'd like to put?

Okay, that being a no, we'll go to Mr. Bagnell for a short question, because we're going to try to get on with some committee business, as well.

[Larry Bagnell, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

I have two short questions, actually. One is related to CanNor. In the main estimates or in this budget, is there anything new that we aren't aware of? I don't mean things like community adjustments and the other programs that were transferred over. Is there anything new that we hadn't heard of before, in particular?

[Nicole Jauvin]

Do you mean in these supplementaries?

[Larry Bagnell, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

No, I mean in the new main estimates.

[Nicole Jauvin]

No.

[Larry Bagnell, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

Okay. I have another question.

A constituent wrote to me and talked about a number of adaptation projects related to climate change programs that are scattered over a number of federal departments. He wanted to know, now that those were expiring, if there were replacement programs. You probably can't answer this now, but I wonder if you could endeavour to get back to the committee on that.