Hello, Mr. Minister.
I have a few questions for you, but if we should run into time restraints, I would like to have your answers in writing.
I would like to begin with the First Nations Land Management Act.
In 2012, our committee went to Mashteuiatsh, in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region. We were able to see the limitations of and flaws in the First Nations Land Management Act, particularly in terms of transferring environmental responsibility and liabilities to the communities that sign the agreement set out in the act.
Mr. Minister, I would like to know what the annual budget is for the First Nations Land Management Act, not including the funds allocated in the 2011 budget. In addition, I would like to know if additional funds will be invested in the rehabilitation and environmental assessments of lands belonging to communities that sign the agreement set out in the First Nations Land Management Act.
I also have a quick question about residential schools. Has the department estimated the financial and human resources that will be required in order to hand over to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada all of the relevant documents held by Library and Archives Canada? How much of an increase might be needed to meet that obligation?
I would also like to ask about first nations infrastructure, since the infrastructure in many communities is insufficient and it is a real problem in many communities. Does your department intend to implement other targeted funding programs to help communities that still need help developing their infrastructure?
Could you provide an explanation and some details about those topics?
Thank you, Mr. Minister.