Evidence of meeting #146 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 services.
A video is available from Parliament.
Executive Director, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada
I understand that my time is up. I am open to any type of questions.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal MaryAnn Mihychuk
Very good. Thank you so much.
Questioning will open with MP Yves Robillard.
Liberal
Yves Robillard Liberal Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC
Thank you for your presentation.
My first question is for National Chief Robert Bertrand.
In a new child and family services model, would you prefer that funding be set out in the bill in advance, or should funding be based on community needs and determined in coordination with the federal and provincial governments?
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
National Chief Robert Bertrand
It's quite difficult to determine the amount required if we don't know the needs.
The second way that you mentioned would be the most logical way to proceed with this bill. That said, I stated at the very beginning that 70% of indigenous people now live off reserve. We must approach these people and determine their needs with regard to children.
When we read this bill, we can see that some parts are missing. Some groups were consulted, and this point was mentioned this morning. However, I can assure you that the vast majority of people weren't consulted. I sincerely believe that the people living off reserve should be consulted in order to obtain a good overview of the issue.
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
National Chief Robert Bertrand
I hope that I answered your question, Mr. Robillard.
Liberal
Yves Robillard Liberal Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC
Yes. Thank you.
Ms. Blackstock, do the national minimum standards set out meet the needs of first nations, Inuit and Métis children in the child and family services system?
Executive Director, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada
We have proposed a blackline version, which I believe members have a copy of, where we have suggested some enhanced wording for the bill. That was something I had referred to you for our suggestions about how to improve it in that regard.
The other important piece I would just call to your attention is that although I really recognize the positive aspect of cultural continuity, that is only going to be able to take effect if it's partnered with the funding elements. That's really another thing where the funding needs to be there to ensure that cultural continuity takes place, particularly for children who were separated from their families through residential schools, the sixties scoop or now through the child welfare system, who are now adults and need to reunify back with their families and back within their community.
Liberal
Yves Robillard Liberal Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC
Senator Murray Sinclair described the co-development process surrounding this bill as a model for implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to action.
Can you elaborate on the engagement with regard to this bill?
Executive Director, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada
I can only share what my experience has been. I have seen some of the engagement sessions. In every engagement session I've been at, I have heard first nations leadership call for funding for this bill. It's still not in the language of the bill.
Although it's good that government went out and met with people, it's really important to understand that even when consistent messages have been given, not just in this engagement section but in the case of first nations dating back decades, sometimes that has not translated into the text of the bill for reasons that we don't understand.
Therefore, it would be really helpful to have an understanding of how that information was collected at the engagement sessions, how the people were identified to be engaged with, and then how that information was synthesized. Indeed, who made the decision about what to include and not?
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
National Chief Robert Bertrand
I wish that I could have told you this morning what I heard at those meetings. However, unfortunately, the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples was never consulted. We were never asked for our opinion on the bill. We have 10 affiliated organizations across Canada. These organizations represent indigenous people living off reserve. I find it somewhat deplorable that the federal government hasn't consulted the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples or its affiliated organizations. These organizations are found in all Canadian provinces, from coast to coast to coast.
If we had been consulted, I could have told you the needs and wishes of our members. However, unfortunately, we weren't consulted. I find this very unfortunate, Mr. Robillard.
Liberal
Conservative
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
Thank you you to our guests for being here today.
I guess that sometimes we end up in this weird place where something is put in front of us and we're then asked how we would fix it and that kind of thing. I guess I would just like from all of you basically a thumbs-up or thumbs-down on this bill.
Cindy, you've done amazing work, with 88 amendments or something like that, but that doesn't necessarily go to the fundamentals. If this were the bill to propose, would you have proposed it? Or would you have started out somewhere completely different? I know that's a huge question. I'd basically like just a thumbs-up or thumbs-down on this particular bill.
Cindy, I'll start with you.
Executive Director, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada
All right.
Again, I can't make that decision as a rights holder.
Executive Director, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada
I know there are first nations who have put their thumbs down, some who have put their thumbs up and some who are saying there need to be major amendments.
Conservative
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
Cindy, your perspective has been interesting for as long as I've been involved in politics and beyond that. You've always had an interesting perspective. Are you willing to take off most of your hats and just as Cindy Blackstock give a thumbs-up or a thumbs-down?