Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on Nov. 28th, 2013

[Bernard Valcourt, Conservative, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

The issue of funding is addressed squarely in the proposal made, as much in the blueprint as in the statement at budget time, when the government committed to introduce a first nations education proposal that would contain predictable and...funding—

[Carol Hughes, NDP, Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON]

When you look at predictable, we're talking about equitable funding...same as off-reserve children.

When we look at this, I can tell you that here is your opposition:

The development of the FNEA by the federal government did not: a) adhere to any sections of the report of the National Panel on Education; b) consult with Anishinabek Chiefs and Councils c) take into account any of the recommendations from the Council of Ministers of Education Conference focusing on First Nation education; ....

It goes on.

From the Chiefs Assembly on Education:

Therefore Be It Resolved that the Chiefs-in-Assembly:… Reject the development of a First Nation Education Act as announced in the federal budget 2012…and…demand that the federal government uphold the honour of the Crown and fulfill its obligation to First Nations by providing needs-based, sustainable education funding that supports First Nations lifelong learning.

You've indicated both here and in the House that if first nations are not supportive of this, you will not go forward with it.

You also mentioned that you required support for this. What is the required support? Do you have a base on that right now?

Will you ensure that the proper consultation is done? It has to be meaningful.

[Bernard Valcourt, Conservative, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Yes, it has to be meaningful.

You know, it takes two to tango, so when you refer—

[Carol Hughes, NDP, Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON]

They're willing to meet with you.

[Bernard Valcourt, Conservative, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

You asked a question. Will you let me answer?

You referred to a resolution of the assembly and chiefs, who have taken away from the AFN the mandate they had received to work with the department, with the federal government, to develop a legislative proposal that would meet the requirements of ensuring that first nations youth on reserve benefit from an education system that has a legislative basis, a statutory basis.

Notwithstanding the resolution, we have undertaken these consultations throughout the country. I have personally met with many chiefs and councils, tribal councils, as have officials. Throughout these consultations, or meetings—certain people are afraid of calling them consultations—we have heard first nations calling for control of education by first nations. We have heard the call for predictable, sufficient funding and ensuring that they could rely on a system that would respect their treaty rights.

It is with these asks in mind that we have developed a proposal on which we are continuing to consult. That process is ongoing. We'll see where it leads. We believe as a government that it's imperative that we act quickly. The current non-system is failing students all across the country.

We believe we have examples of successful initiatives that have taken place. I point to Nova Scotia, where the Mi'kmaq community, and the province, and the federal government have put in place a system that results today in aboriginal youth on reserve in Nova Scotia graduating at a rate of 90%, above the rate of those non-aboriginal students.

It is building upon these successes that we believe we can get the statutory base and eventually the framework that will ensure that first nations students have the right, like every other Canadian, to a good system of education.

[The Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

Thank you.

We'll turn now to Mr. Hillyer for the last questions for the minister.

[Jim Hillyer, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Mr. Minister, thank you for being here.

Our government has made significant progress since the 2008 apologies for the residential school system. In supplementary estimates (B), $6 million have been allocated for the commemoration initiative, under the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, which honours the former residential school students, their families and their communities, and pays tribute to them.

Could you give us an update on the work the government has done recently to honour its commitment under the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement?

[Bernard Valcourt, Conservative, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Thank you for your question.

As you know, our government is 100% committed to reaching a fair and lasting resolution to the unfortunate legacy of the Indian residential schools, which is at the heart of the reconciliation and renewal of relations with aboriginal peoples and all Canadians.

Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of announcing that the Government of Canada was going to work with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and all parties to the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement to extend the commission's mandate to June 30, 2015, so that it can complete its important work. The additional year will give the commission enough time to complete its mandate and draft its final report, and to receive some documents that Library and Archives Canada must provide.

We want the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to be able to complete its important mandate and fulfill our obligations under the agreement. We are determined to arrive at a fair and lasting resolution to the Indian residential schools. We want reconciliation for aboriginal peoples, their families, the communities and all Canadians.

Although the commission's official work ends in June 2015, the work won't stop there. Reconciliation is a constantly evolving process. In fact, the effects of this chapter of our history continue and will continue to be felt for several generations, unfortunately. That's why it's important for aboriginal and non-aboriginal Canadians to work together to deal with the harmful effects of this sad chapter in our history.

[Jim Hillyer, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Thank you.

Our government has a priority to empower aboriginal citizens and protect the vulnerable.

Could you talk about what the government is doing to enhance safety and security for the vulnerable, especially aboriginal women and children who are victims of family violence?

[Bernard Valcourt, Conservative, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

I referred to it in my introductory remarks.

Our government recognizes that aboriginal women are disproportionately represented as the victims of violent crime. As I said, this is simply unacceptable. That is why we are taking concrete action to address the issue of violence against aboriginal women and girls.

You have to look at the actions we have taken. I referred to the Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act, which I submit with respect is an important step in getting to where we want to be. We want to provide aboriginal women and children and families on reserves with the same rights and protection that other Canadian kids and wives and husbands are getting. I think that was an important step.

As I said, it's not the amount of dollars, but we've invested over $240 million in the family violence prevention program. This has provided shelter services to thousands of children and women living on reserve. In the last budget, we committed another $24 million over two years for the family violence prevention program.

But all of this is in isolation. You have to have a holistic approach. That's why education, skills development, the efforts we deploy to try to enhance the delivery of family and child services with first nations, are all steps that I believe can help to reduce these shameful statistics about aboriginal women and girls being victimized so much.

[The Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. We know your time is short. We've kept you longer than you committed to and that we asked you for, and we appreciate your willingness to stay with us beyond that time.

Colleagues, we will suspend for a few minutes. We'll continue the questions with the other folks momentarily.

[The Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

Colleagues, I'll call this meeting back to order.

We will continue with the rounds of questioning. We'll now turn to Mr. Sullivan.

[Mike Sullivan, NDP, York South—Weston, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The minister suggested at the very end of his statement that education was a very important part of the ministry's plans for the future. However, I'm aware that the waiting list for post-secondary education is growing. In fact, it is now at 10,600 students on reserve who are on a waiting list to get into post-secondary education.

That number has gotten bigger in the last two years, not smaller. I understand that in some places the waiting list is now so large that they are no longer putting students on the waiting list. In other words, the waiting list is too large to have a waiting list.

What is the department doing to try to allow native persons, native youths, to attend post-secondary education?

[Michael Wernick]

The short answer is that there is no waiting list.

Allocation of post-secondary funds is decided by individual chiefs and councils. They decide what to do with the funds. They can fund kids, not fund kids, or reallocate funds to other uses. There is no national program, there's no national intake, and there's no national waiting list. There's nothing that prohibits first nations children from applying for Canada student loans, or for Canada study grants, or for scholarships or bursaries.

[Mike Sullivan, NDP, York South—Weston, ON]

But as I understand it, there is not enough money in the first nations system to fund all of those who want to go to post-secondary education. You're suggesting they apply for other mechanisms, but the first nations education systems do not have enough funds to provide for all who want it.

[Michael Wernick]

That's an assertion of some people. There is over $320 million going out to first nations. We have very little control over what they do with it. They do not even have to spend it on post-secondary allowances for their kids.

[Mike Sullivan, NDP, York South—Weston, ON]

Well, that's different from what we're understanding.

On the skills training side of it—

[Michael Wernick]

If I could just—

[Mike Sullivan, NDP, York South—Weston, ON]

Yes?

[Michael Wernick]

On the answer to that question, what we've tried to do is that we've posted on the website and have distributed quite broadly a guide to scholarships and bursaries that may be available to aboriginal kids. There is money going out for Métis bursaries and, as the minister mentioned, we put money into Indspire, which deals directly with students and families.

I think it is an area that deserves attention, but it deserves a different delivery model.

[Mike Sullivan, NDP, York South—Weston, ON]

What delivery model?

[Michael Wernick]

One that deals directly with students and their families and doesn't go through band councils, but that's a big reform. It would no doubt be very controversial and would take some time, so the government's focus right now is on K to 12, as you heard the minister say.

[Mike Sullivan, NDP, York South—Weston, ON]

In terms of post-secondary education, though, what you're saying is that it's your belief the bands have enough money, and if there's a waiting list that's their problem, not the government's problem.

[Michael Wernick]

I'm saying that we have what we have, which is $320 million. I cannot even assure you that it's all going to post-secondary in the communities.

[Mike Sullivan, NDP, York South—Weston, ON]

What can you assure us?