Evidence of meeting #10 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was know.
A video is available from Parliament.
Chief Financial Officer, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
We take your point. Consistency of business procedures across the country, as has been demonstrated through our own internal audit, is not up to snuff. We are going through a process of engagement to get more consistency and equivalency in reporting and business practices to address that deficiency.
Liberal
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
I have, first of all, a comment. I would beg to differ, and I'd love to talk offline. The land claims process is having a direct impact on third-party interests as tenure is moving in, for example, the AIP, and is cutting off spring pasture from summer pasture. That's sort of an offline comment that I'd love to talk further about, because I think we do have a serious issue. I think everyone wants resolution. There's nothing about not having resolution, but it's how we ensure—I love the words of National Chief Bellegarde—peace in the valley.
The Auditor General had four very specific suggestions. He said he's done audit after audit, and it came down to some structural things. We have $8.4 billion. We have significant numbers of new dollars going into education. Is it just going to roll out the same way it's always rolled out or is it going to follow the structure that the Auditor General suggested, in which we would need a legislative base, which includes appropriate funding mechanisms? Right now, is the plan that the new money for education is just going to roll out as it has always rolled out?
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy and Strategic Direction, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
In partnership with indigenous peoples and first nations, the AFN, the ITK, and others, we are actually working through how exactly we're going to roll out that funding. There's certainly a commitment by all to ensure that it's based on outcomes, to determine how we are going to deal with it, and to have the proper measures in place.
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
If you don't have that agreement in place, is it going to be another year or another two years before the money rolls out or is it going to just roll out the way it's always rolled out?
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy and Strategic Direction, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
I think everyone is confident that working in partnership we'll find a way to address that and to make those investments.
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
Okay. If you don't get there, though, is the money going to roll out the way it has always rolled out?
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy and Strategic Direction, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
I think we're going to continue to put in place the measures to ensure that the funding goes to where it's most needed and to ensure that it can be accounted for.
Conservative
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy and Strategic Direction, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
I can't speak further at this point. I'll have to leave that with the minister.
However, nothing will be done on any of this that isn't done in partnership with indigenous peoples.
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
I come from British Columbia, and I've been to many remote communities. To be frank, many of them have very good water systems. They have good infrastructure in place that serves their community and they can be very isolated.
I know, as the government, we put significant dollars into infrastructure for a number of years. I know there's a commitment by this government to put in additional water systems. It absolutely floors me that you hear about a community like Kashechewan and the homes aren't connected to the water system.
What's going on?
To me, that would be an absolute crisis. It's something that should be a priority. There have been lots of dollars for infrastructure. Why do we have a community that doesn't have connections?
Director General, Sector Operations Branch, Regional Operations, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Indeed first nations, as all Canadians, should have access to clean drinking water for themselves and for their families. In budget 2016, additional funding was provided, that $1.8 billion over five years, to address in particular drinking water advisories.
The department does have a priority ranking system where first nations submit their infrastructure plans, and in—
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
Sorry, I just want to clarify.
With regard to Kashechewan, we gave significant dollars over the last 10 years for water systems. Why wouldn't they be at the top of the priority list if they don't have their homes connected to the water system?
Director General, Sector Operations Branch, Regional Operations, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
I can certainly look into the particular circumstances of the first nation that you mentioned and get back to the committee on where they stand with respect to the ranking system.
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
Okay, because I can't imagine that there's any that could be much worse.
Thank you very much.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Andy Fillmore
Thank you all very much for making time for us today.
We're very grateful for your comments, and we'll see you another time.
There's a motion, so the newly renamed indigenous and northern affairs committee stands adjourned.