Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on Feb. 28th, 2019

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

The allocation in the supplementary estimates.... You are right, MP Viersen. We understand that we're in conversation with the Minister of Northern Affairs and that perhaps we'll find time to bring him—

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

Super-duper.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

—he'll come to the committee. So we'll have three ministers.

[Carolyn Bennett, Liberal, Toronto—St. Paul's, ON]

Madam, if I could clarify that, it's one department. Diane is the associate deputy for Minister LeBlanc. So it's one appropriation from our CIRNAC department. It's kind of ours.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

That's precisely why I was bringing it up.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

...had to be somewhere else.

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

I noticed in budget 2018 that just over $70 million was budgeted and then only $6 million was allocated. It seems that the Treasury Board did not allocate that money. That's not the only budget initiative that didn't.... That's for the “New Fiscal Relationship: Strengthening First Nations Institutions and Community Capacity”.

In total, $128 million was not allocated, or was withheld, by the Treasury Board.

This is like vote 40. Why was the total of $129 million withheld from your department by the Treasury Board?

[Carolyn Bennett, Liberal, Toronto—St. Paul's, ON]

Alex will explain this. In terms of the Treasury Board processes in unlocking that money it's a technical issue.

[Alex Lakroni, Chief Finances, Results and Delivery Officer, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

There is a distinction between funding and approvals of the initiatives. I think in terms of your question about the money, and you refer to the fiscal institutions, there is money in the main estimates. We're asking for $1.4 million. There is also money in the base of the main estimates. The total in this fiscal year for fiscal institutions, if that's what your question is about, is about $19.7 million.

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

Yes, but the particular budget line was the new fiscal relationship strengthening institutions and community, vote 40. It appears to be that the Treasury Board—

[Diane Lafleur, Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

That's because it's three-year funding. The amount that's been drawn down is the full amount for the first year—

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

Six million.

[Diane Lafleur]

—but the vote holds the funding for a three-year period.

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

Okay.

[Diane Lafleur]

That's why it might be a little bit confusing.

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

It appears to be that the Treasury Board did not allocate the funds because there was no plan. Is that correct?

[Diane Lafleur]

No, it allocated the full amount for year one, and then in year two, we'll go seek that full amount again.

[Carolyn Bennett, Liberal, Toronto—St. Paul's, ON]

We have to go back every year.

[Diane Lafleur]

It was $189 million over three years. Year one, the amount for 2018-19 was $48.8 million.

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

It was $48.8 million, but only $6 million was allocated?

[Diane Lafleur]

No.

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

That's what it shows on budget 2018: $70 million allocated, with $6 million withheld, is 65.

[Alex Lakroni]

You are correct. The total budget is $71.8 million.

Six million was allocated in vote 10, grants and contributions. There is $65 million to be allocated in the next two years.

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

Okay, so it is coming.