Thank you, Mr. Chair, for inviting me and my officials to outline our department's supplementary estimates (C) for 2013-14.
Before I do—and you alluded to it—I want to thank committee members for the valuable role they play in ensuring that Canadian tax dollars are used wisely and are achieving their intended results, among them, jobs, economic opportunities, and long-term prosperity for aboriginals and northerners. I would also note that, as this committee sees I'm sure, our government is currently pursuing a heavy legislative agenda related to aboriginal peoples and the north, and I want to express my gratitude to this committee for its ongoing work in moving this agenda forward.
Mr. Chair, from the many local projects—roads, water systems, schools, and connectivity projects—to initiatives aimed at large-scale reform such as the recently announced first nations control of first nations education act or the Northwest Territories lands and resources devolution agreement, our government is delivering on its commitment to create jobs and economic opportunities for aboriginal and northern communities. We remain focused on ensuring that aboriginal peoples are an integral part of our government's broader jobs and economic growth agenda, while building a renewed relationship with first nations people.
I believe we have made important progress in that vein. Areas where we have seen significant improvements are skills and training, education, economic development, claim resolution, and removing barriers to better governance.
Through work with willing partners, carefully targeted investments, legislation as well as claims agreements, we continue to take the concrete steps necessary to create the conditions for stronger, more self-sufficient aboriginal and northern communities.
Through these estimates, we are continuing to make strategic and targeted investments in the amount of $72.4 million that are directed at shared priorities we have with first nations, Inuit, Métis and northerners. Furthermore, the supplementary estimates earmarked $36.1 million to meet the Government of Canada's obligations under the Northwest Territories Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement, which I had the privilege of signing in Inuvik last June, on behalf of the Government of Canada, along with the Government of the Northwest Territories and five aboriginal partners.
This historic agreement gives northerners greater control over their own lands and resources, all the while unlocking the economic potential of the region by modernizing the existing regulatory regime. This will strengthen environmental stewardship and protection and ensure that the Northwest Territories remains an attractive place to live, work and invest.
The health and safety of first nations communities is also something we have to heart and it is a priority of our government. To that end, $33.2 million from our supplementary estimates will address health and safety concerns related to flooding and other natural disasters that occurred in first nations communities in 2013.
As you will recall, a number of serious weather-related incidents this past year put first nation residents at risk, including flooding in Saskatchewan and floods and storm surges in the Atlantic region. Several communities in northern Manitoba and Ontario also had to be evacuated due to forest fires. Funds allocated in these supplementary estimates go towards provinces, territories, or other organizations that incurred costs in both responding to and recovering from these emergency situations.
In November 2013 I also announced a new comprehensive approach to emergency management that will better protect the health and safety of first nations people living on reserve. This new approach will simplify the current process by creating a new single window for first nations to secure funding for emergency costs. This will eliminate overlap and provide first nations and provinces and territories improved access to emergency funding when needed.
As well, we are revising the emergency management assistance program to strengthen program management and provide greater clarity about expense eligibility. Within that reform, we are also providing $19.1 million to negotiate and implement new or renewed agreements with the provinces and territories that support emergency preparedness. This includes the development of emergency management plans for first nation communities that will provide for timely, effective, and efficient support in times of crisis.
A further important initiative funded through these supplementary estimates is the new Centre of Excellence for Matrimonial Real Property. A portion of the $1 million will be provided to the centre to implement and enforce the Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act. I was pleased to be in Vancouver this past December, Mr. Chair, to announce its coming into force and mark another important milestone towards ensuring that families living on reserve have access to the same basic rights and protections as all other Canadians in the case of a breakdown in marriage, common-law partnership, or divorce—protections that they have been without for nearly three decades.
Mr. Chair, we know that aboriginal youth represent the fastest growing segment of the population, and yet they have one of the lowest graduation and unemployment rates today. This situation concerns us.
Supplementary estimates (C) has also set aside another $1 million for Cape Breton University's Purdy-Crawford Chair and aboriginal business studies to encourage business studies by aboriginal students. This money, which was announced in last year's economic action plan, will enable more young people to develop business, investment and corporate skills to spur economic development in aboriginal communities across the country.
Mr. Chair, as you can see, the expenditures detailed in these estimates are vital to the lives and livelihood of aboriginal people and northerners. They are key to improving their standard of living and quality of life, and continued economic development, jobs and growth.
I welcome the committee member's questions regarding my presentation. My officials and I will be pleased to answer your questions about any aspect of the supplementary estimates (C).
Thank you.
