Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on May 4th, 2017

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

It is hugely important that we change what happens so that these people do not end up in prison at all in the first place. Too many times I hear that people only got back in touch with their language and culture when they were in prison. This is not acceptable. I was at Headingley Prison, and almost every woman in that prison had not been sentenced to jail and was there on a breach of conditions. We have to change this system. The Minister of Justice is doing very important work on the Criminal Code, but we have to change the way we do everything. The kids of every single woman who is in that prison end up in care. This is part of a comprehensive approach. But I am very, very keen for us to change this whole thing around, because it is just not working for indigenous people in this country.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Thank you.

The questioning now goes to MP Cathy McLeod.

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Thank you, Madam Chair. At the two-and-a-half-minute mark, could you let me know? I want to get two questions in so we'll cut off if one's not quite done.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

All right.

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Minister, a lot of work has been done and I'm particularly proud of some of the work that's been done around the First Nations Property Ownership Act. I look at the First Nations Taxation Commission and some of the other work that's being done by some of these organizations, which have truly created opportunities for the future. It started as a small group with a dream of how it could help its own communities, and then it grew from there. I see the First Nations Property Ownership Act opt-in legislation, and I think it's very important to say that “opt in” is something that will give some communities a future that they choose. A lot of work has been done, and I know that the finance committee actually toured and met with a number of chiefs who were interested in that particular piece of legislation coming forward.

I notice in your department plan for 2017-18 that you will continue to develop opt-in legislation. I understand that that legislation is essentially ready to go. As with indigenous languages, are you willing to commit that this is going to be something that your government is committed to moving forward on in the short-term future? I know that tremendous work has been done on this, and again, it's voluntary. It's giving certain bands opportunities that they choose in terms of their own future.

I guess that's my question: are you going to table legislation?

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

As you know, this is now known as indigenous land title initiative, and it's something that we're committed to continue to fund, the kind of work that Manny Jules and other leaders have done, particularly in your region.

As you know, it needs to be opt in because a lot of communities don't like the idea that non-indigenous people or companies could own parts of their reserve, and I think Gary Merasty used to describe it as having a paper punch go through their community such that they no longer had integrity in their community.

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

I understand my two—

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

That's why it's opt in, and we are absolutely working toward the kind of legislation that would allow this land title initiative.

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

I mean, it's just a matter of moving forward, because I think there has been many years' worth of work, and I look again at the taxation piece and how successful that has been for some communities who have decided....

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

It was a joint working group, Cathy, between the First Nations Tax Commission and my department, and they have a technical discussion paper. I don't know if that's been shared.

[Diane Lafleur]

The first nations proponents right now are reviewing that proposal, so we're waiting for their feedback before we know what the way forward will be.

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Thank you.

With my little bit of time left, of course, it wouldn't be a committee meeting or a question period if I did not—

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

I think I know where you're going.

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

—now note that it's been 17 months, and you continue to say that transparency is important. National Chief Bellegarde says transparency is important. He says his mother says it's important.

But 17 months have now passed, and we've had very compelling testimony that's come to this table on the transparency issue. I know that the chiefs and the AFN have a role to play in this, but the more important role is for community members. An online survey is fine, but we're 17 months in. I can't tell you how many emails and phone calls I get from people saying, “Please keep working on this issue because it's absolutely unacceptable as a community member.”

I'll give you an opportunity to tell us when, perhaps, we can expect transparency for first nations community members and how you are engaging, not just the chiefs at the AFN but the people who have huge concerns about this issue more generally.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

All that in five seconds.

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

Well, it is important that the committee understand that this a serious issue that you've been dealing with here, and I think, Cathy, you need to know that we're really serious about this in a holistic way. In the First Nations Transparency Act, only the money that came from INAC technically was accountable.

What I'm hearing from communities is that they want to be accountable for it all, whether it's the casino money, whether it's.... But it needs to be to their membership. This is the key to transparency. It's about their citizens having access to this. We know that band-owned companies are victim to predatory practices if the numbers around how they run their company or how much they pay their engineer ends up being used by their competitors.

We want to make sure.... And this table that has been set up and the work we're doing with the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association is.... How do we do the thing in the way Kelowna was asking for, a First Nations auditor general? How do we do this properly in a holistic way?

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

The information they were compelled to share was less than any company shares with stockholders.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

We are moving the questioning over to MP Rémi Massé.

[Rémi Massé, Liberal, Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Ms. Bennett, the committee is always pleased to welcome you. Thanks also to the members of your team. I know a lot of work goes into preparing for your appearance.

In recent months, I have had the opportunity to meet a number of times with the chiefs and teams of the Micmac communities in the region, the Gesgapegiag and Listuguj communities. I am especially proud of our government and of you. Something was set into motion after our government was elected. We have clearly grown closer, the MPs and the MPs of neighbouring communities. Major discussions began 17 or 18 months ago. It is very positive and everyone truly appreciates the renewed energy brought to the table by our prime minister, you and our government.

Major investments have been made. These include for instance a Micmac language immersion program partially funded by your department and by Canadian Heritage. This is generating growing interest in the community in reconnecting with their language.

Investments have been made, specifically to improve a cultural centre and for training programs. For example, I attended one hour of training on how to build a traditional canoe. I really enjoyed it. It is made from roots and birch bark; it was great. The young people are really excited and really enjoy this training program.

Not everything is rosy, of course. As you know, our committee is completing its report on the suicide crisis. This is especially tragic. We have heard powerful testimony. We want to help overcome this challenge. The issues involve not only health, but also infrastructure, access to housing and drinking water. The needs are so great.

I was struck by something. A few of the witnesses we met were hesitant to take part in the committee's work. They said they had submitted numerous reports, had met with us multiple times and that, unfortunately, they had not seen any concrete changes.

I have two questions. First, what could you say to those witnesses who are hesitant to meet with us, who are afraid of certain concrete measures or afraid that other measures might not be taken?

Moreover, in the main estimates that were tabled, there is clearly a substantial increase in votes. How can we work to resolve the major problems on our reserves? I know this is the 50,000 dollar question, but I would like to hear your opinion. How can we address the important issues that are affecting aboriginal communities right across Canada?

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

Thank you very much. I appreciate your commitment and your visiting the communities, trying to find solutions and being engaged with the communities to identify their priorities. The great success of the Micmac language is an example for the whole country.

I am very concerned about the suicide crisis. This is a fundamental problem, as our report card shows.

That's the report card of how we're doing, and it's terrible.

But it's really important, here at this committee, that we are looking at my role as the minister, in some ways, of the social determinants of health, as opposed to health care. We have to get at the young people,

to give them hope, their own identity and self-esteem, and to make them resilient.

I am also really concerned that these root causes—

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Thank you.

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

—of language, culture, and being competent on the land, all of these things, are really important to these kids. I'm also very concerned about adverse childhood events—

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Thank you.

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

—the issues of sexual abuse in care. Why are these kids numbing themselves with drugs and alcohol? We have to get to what is actually happening—

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Thank you.