Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on June 4th, 2019

[Yves Robillard, Liberal, Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Questioning now concludes with Arnold Viersen.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you to the Minister for coming today.

I wanted to let everyone know that it's raining in Alberta, and our fires seem to be under control now, so it's been pretty awesome.

Minister, your portfolio is indigenous relations, and I'd like to get a little bit more clarity on where that's all going. One of the troubles that we have a little bit is who speaks for whom. That is always a bit of a challenge. With individual bands, particularly when they're small, you can get to know everybody in the whole band, and the elections become very.... Because it's small number, the margins are very slim, essentially.

When band elections happen, on what day the election happens and all these kinds of things can become very contentious. I'm thinking particularly about the case of Tallcree First Nation in northern Alberta. The band election is mandated to be in April, and it got pushed all the way back to September. There seems to have been a funeral that was placed on the day, which changes voter turnout and things like that.

What do you see as your role in these band elections and how is Canada...? Do you involve Elections Canada at all in that kind of stuff? I would like some comments around that.

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

Thank you for the question, because in some ways what you're describing is the problems with the Indian Act. We imposed those rules and really eliminated the kind of democracy and governance that were there. In my job right now, I am pretty excited that over half of the Indian Act bands in this country are at a table working on getting out from under the Indian Act, some of them in a sectoral way, in terms of child and family services or their fishery or the education system.

My responsibility to help reconstitute nations means that whether it's a treaty area or it's geographic or it's by language, as we work to rebuild nations, they are then rebuilding their governance structures based on their laws and their legal—

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

Sure, but the trouble comes in right now in that currently band council is administering everything. That's a reality that happens. The only method we have at this point is the band election, so what is your department's role in those band elections?

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

It's actually Minister O'Regan's Indigenous Services that deal with those issues. There is a unit within that so that if community members want to issue a complaint, it will be dealt with. Again, we are really endeavouring to move to a different system in which in many places the hereditary leadership also have a role, and the women have a role, as do the youth and the elders. We need to move to a system that is designed in a way that there can be the best possible governance and people can get out from under the Indian Act.

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

In order for there to be a relationship, there have to be parties to that relationship. If you don't have proper elections, you don't know who represents. You're saying, well, there's hereditary.... How do you rank or decide who actually speaks for those people?

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

I think that's the reason for reconstituting nations and what I think, as we look to some of the—

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

If you were going to deal with Britain, you'd deal with a foreign minister. Who's the foreign minister for this particular nation?

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

That's what the new nations will have. They will have ministers. They will have the minister of health. We go to many communities now where they really do have an elected person, a person designated, whose traditional role was that of external relations. With some of the modern treaties and organizations, we're seeing in very plain language that people understand exactly what was signed with Canada and how they will go forward as a government. That's, I think, the exciting transformation that we're seeing.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Thank you so much.

We've come to the end of our allotted hour. We could continue for the whole day, I'm sure, but I do want to thank you on behalf of all members of the committee for coming out and answering our questions and presenting the budget and the vision in the budget. We appreciate that very much.

Meegwetch. Thank you.

We're going to suspend for a couple of minutes, and then we will have the Minister of Indigenous Services come forward.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Welcome, everybody. We're here at the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs of Canada, and we are working on the main estimates. This is the second hour, and it's our pleasure to host the Indigenous Services minister and staff.

Welcome to our committee.

Anytime you're ready, you can begin.

[Seamus O'Regan, Liberal, Minister of Indigenous Services]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I'm pleased to be appearing once more before the committee to discuss the main estimates of Indigenous Services Canada.

I'd like to begin by acknowledging that we're on the traditional territory of the Algonquin people.

I'm joined by Jean-François Tremblay, deputy minister; and Paul Thoppil, chief finances, results and delivery officer.

Now if my French didn't wake you up....

Also, I am also pleased to have Valerie Gideon here.

Before getting into my remarks, I would like to, first of all, thank members of the committee for their work over the last month studying Bill C-92 and the proposed amendments. The amendments accepted last week from all sides strengthened this bill. As many of you know, I was glad to see that it passed third reading last night unanimously. Thank you very much. Your hard work on this was really appreciated.

A vital component of our government's renewed relationship with indigenous peoples is our commitment to take action and dismantle the colonial structures of the past. Since the Prime Minister's announcement on August 28, 2017, my officials and Minister Bennett's officials have been working hard to establish the necessary structures and processes to make this transformation a reality.

In 2019-20, we look forward to dissolving Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada and in its place creating Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada as one department and Indigenous Services Canada as another. This change will better enable the government to continue its work on a renewed relationship with indigenous peoples based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership. It better positions the government to build that relationship while closing the socio-economic gaps between indigenous and non-indigenous people and improving the quality of life for first nations, Inuit and Métis people. It finally responds to a very clear recommendation by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.

Our focus at Indigenous Services Canada is working with partners to improve access to high-quality services for indigenous people. Our vision is to support and empower indigenous peoples to independently deliver services and address socio-economic conditions in their communities as they move forward on the path to self-determination.

As Minister of Indigenous Services, I am continuing the important work of improving the quality of services delivered to first nations, Inuit and Métis. This includes ensuring a consistent, high-quality and distinctions-based approach to the delivery of these services. A rigorous results and delivery approach is being adopted, focused on improving outcomes for indigenous people. Over time it is our goal that indigenous peoples will directly deliver programs and services to their peoples. We are working with partners to do this. I am working my way out of a job.

I would like to turn your attention to the reason that I am here today. I am now pleased to present to you my department's main estimates for 2019-20, which would total $12.3 billion if approved by Parliament. The 2019-20 main estimates reflect a net increase of about $2.9 billion, or 32%, compared to last year's main estimates. The net increase in budgetary spending primarily reflects the continuation of our investments in budgets 2016, 2017 and 2018 and in our most recent budget: all in all, investments totalling $21.3 billion to support stronger indigenous communities and to improve socio-economic outcomes.

Here are a few examples of where this year's increase will help.

There is $404.1 million in renewed funding for Jordan's principle: supporting children who need orthodontics, medical transportation, respite, land-based culture camps, medical supplies and equipment, educational assistance, mentorship, wheelchair ramps, vehicles, nutritional supplements.

There is an increase of $481.5 million for the first nations water and waste-water enhanced program, improving monitoring and testing of on-reserve community drinking water, and building on investments that have not only led to the lifting of 85 long-term drinking water advisories since 2015, but that also keep us on track to lift all LTDWAs by March 2021.

There will be an increase of $357.9 million related to non-insured health benefits for first nations people and Inuit.

There will be an increase of $324.8 million for infrastructure projects in indigenous communities.

There is an increase of $317 million for the first nations child and family services program, ensuring the actual costs of first nations child and family services agencies are covered fully, but also supporting initiatives to keep children and families together.

There is an increase of $300.2 million for first nations elementary and secondary education, supporting a renewed approach for K-to-12 education on reserve as co-developed by us and the Assembly of First Nations.

There is an increase of $113.6 million to build healthier first nations and Inuit communities, including our work to eliminate tuberculosis in Inuit Nunangat by 2030.

And there is an increase of $101.1 million to advance the new fiscal relationship with first nations under the Indian Act.

These investments continue to build on the work we have already done to foster a renewed relationship based on respect, co-operation and partnership. Together with indigenous partners, we are working hard to improve the quality of life for first nations, Inuit and Métis people. Through budget 2019, we are making investments in first nations and Inuit health, social development, education and infrastructure.

In addition to Jordan's principle and ensuring first nations children now receive the services they need when they need them, our investments in the child first initiative ensure that Inuit children have access to the essential government-funded health, social and educational products, services and supports that they need when they need them.

Budget 2019 proposes an investment of $220 million over five years to the Inuit-specific child first initiative, which will address the immediate needs of Inuit children. This investment would also support the ongoing work among the Government of Canada, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Inuit regions, and provinces and territories to develop a long-term Inuit-specific approach to better address the unique health, social and education needs of Inuit children.

There are also new investments to address urgent health and wellness needs to reduce suicide rates in Inuit communities. In order to deal with the ongoing suicide crisis in the Inuit communities, $5 million has been set aside to support the national Inuit suicide prevention strategy.

The government is also making unprecedented new investments in indigenous post-secondary education, including 2019's proposal for $327.5 million over five years to renew and expand funding for the post-secondary student support program while the government engages with first nations on the development of integrated regional education strategies.

There is $125.5 million over 10 years, and $21.8 million ongoing to support an Inuit-led post-secondary strategy, and $362 million over 10 years, and $40 million ongoing to support a Métis Nation strategy.

Starting this fiscal year, a new transfer to first nations communities, entitled “Grant to support the new fiscal relationship for First Nations under the lndian Act”, more commonly known as the 10-year grant, has been implemented.

More than 250 first nations expressed interest in the 10-year grant; 103 first nations were determined to be eligible based on criteria that we co-developed with first nations partners. They have received an offer, and I am happy to say that 83 first nations have now signed 10-year grant agreements.

The new grant, representing $1.5 billion, is funded through the existing programs of Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, which are primarily related to education, social development, infrastructure, and first nations and Inuit health programs.

To ensure that the 10-year grants grow with the needs of first nations, budget 2019 proposes that starting April 1, 2020, funding for core programs and services provided through the 10-year grants will be escalated to address key cost drivers, including inflation and population growth. The 10-year grant provides communities with the flexibility and predictability needed to support effective and independent long-term planning. This initiative is a key part for establishing a new fiscal relationship that moves towards sufficient, predictable and sustained funding for first nations communities.

Last, I think it's imperative for me to highlight the work of everyone involved in making progress on our commitment to end long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserve by March, 2021. Since 2015, a total of 85 long-term drinking water advisories have been lifted, and 126 short-term drinking water advisories were lifted before becoming long term. We are well on our way to meeting our commitment. This will be aided through the 2019-20 main estimates by an additional $66.7 million proposed by budget 2019, which has been dedicated to keeping us on track. I am extremely proud of this, as all Canadians should have access to safe, clean and reliable drinking water.

We have made, and are continuing to make, important changes in the government's relationship with first nations, Inuit and Métis people. While there is still a lot of work to do, our government's historic investments are making a difference in closing the gaps that exist, and improving the quality of life for indigenous peoples.

I'd now be happy to answer any questions that the committee may have.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Thank you, Mr. Minister.

We're going to open with MP Yves Robillard.

[Yves Robillard, Liberal, Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Minister O'Regan, thank you for your presentation, especially the parts in French.

In your presentation, for 2018-19, $29.4 million was provided to ensure that infrastructure investments reach local communities through the gas tax fund.

Can you explain how this amount was used?

[Seamus O'Regan, Liberal, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

You're going to have to forgive me, because I didn't get my translator on in time, and we've all borne witness to my attempts at French; my listening is not much better. I didn't catch all of it, but I think my deputy has it handy, so I'll let him speak.

[Jean-François Tremblay, Deputy Minister, Department of Indigenous Services Canada]

As you know, this addition to the federal gas tax fund came at budget time, so very late in the year.

In the department, we reviewed all the projects that were already on our lists and that were ready. There were seven projects, if I remember correctly. We allocated the additional resources to these priority projects, which were ready. We took this approach, which helped to alleviate the pressure.

[Yves Robillard, Liberal, Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC]

Okay.

Yesterday, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls released its report after over two years of work.

Could you share your opinion on the content and conclusions of the report?

[Seamus O'Regan, Liberal, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

Thank you, Mr. Robillard.

I think most of the people on this committee, if not all of you—it was a big crowd—were in that room. It was a heavy day. We're committed to ending the ongoing national tragedy of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people. To end this national tragedy, we asked the commission to identify and examine the systemic causes of violence against indigenous women and girls. They have.

I think we all owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to all the survivors and family members who shared their stories, because that is not easy, and some of them put their own health at risk in doing so, having to relive a lot of moments that many of them have buried. For that reason, as the Prime Minister noted in his speech, many chose not to speak. We honour them for that choice as well.

This is truly quite extraordinary; it hit me yesterday. This is a national inquiry, the first of its kind, and I was quite taken by the number of provincial governments that were represented and that accepted copies of the report. We have a lot of work to do. We are committed to a national action plan, as you heard the Prime Minister say yesterday, and that's called for by the inquiry to implement the recommendations to make sure they're distinctions-based; that they're flexible. As have all our efforts thus far, we know they must be developed in partnership with first nations, Inuit and Métis governments and organizations, the families of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, and the survivors.

[Yves Robillard, Liberal, Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC]

Thank you.

Can you share what the families told you about the significance of this inquiry and the opportunity it gave them to tell their stories?

[Seamus O'Regan, Liberal, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

As a formal part of the inquiry, I did not receive those testimonies, but I've received many testimonies in my travels from people who have been involved in very similar circumstances. They are deeply aggrieved; they feel deeply wronged. They feel the loss of a loved one. We have to get through this report meticulously, and we have to work quickly. We all understand that we only have so much time left in this session.

Some things we've worked on that are very much in keeping with the report, which, again, passed third reading last night and is an extraordinary piece of legislation because it was developed in partnership with indigenous peoples, I think will go a long way in the area of child and family services to finding solutions that indigenous people will develop themselves.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

You have about a minute and a half.

[Yves Robillard, Liberal, Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Thank you.

Questioning now goes to MP Kevin Waugh.

[Kevin Waugh, Conservative, Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK]

Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you once again, Minister and staff, for coming.

We'll pick up on the missing and murdered indigenous women and girls report yesterday with its over 1,200 pages and lots of stories. There were 231 recommendations in the commissioner's report. The report calls the calls to justice “legal imperatives” and says they are not options.

I'd like to know your opinion of that, coming out of the national inquiry.