Meegwetch. Boozhoo, Wachiya, Sekoh. Good afternoon.
First of all, I want to acknowledge the creator, creation, the prayers, and the protocols that were offered today for all of our people. I want to acknowledge the traditional territory of the indigenous people—the Algonquins and the Anishnawbe. I want to acknowledge these lands on which this important meeting is taking place.
I want to acknowledge and thank the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development for listening to these important presentations on health. I want to also acknowledge and commend my peers, the first nations leadership from Nishnawbe Aski Nation and their health officials for their tireless efforts. I can speak volumes about the work and the efforts of my colleagues. I want to tell you their expertise is second to none.
The Mushkegowuk people in the Attawapiskat First Nation are experiencing a glaring social crisis that cannot be ignored. I want to make reference to something that John Cutfeet just indicated with respect to post-traumatic stress disorder. I want to possibly give you something to think about. This is a notion that I don't think most people look at—collective post-traumatic stress disorder. It is something that might be understood by the South Africans who experienced apartheid, or possibly the Jewish community who felt post-traumatic stress during the Holocaust and thereafter. I believe that's what we're dealing with in a lot of respects with the health issues faced by first nations in this country.
The first nations health crisis can no longer be out of sight, out of mind, nor should it be treated with band-aid solutions. I want to expand, to offer the committee a glimpse of a 10-year-old boy. Also, let me tell you that Alvin and I also attended a funeral for a 10-year-old girl. Both of them committed suicide. This is within the last year.
The 10-year-old boy, his suicide was a direct result of travel cuts. There was no money to take care of this boy. The mother was an opiate addict on a methadone program, a very aggressive program. The father was a diabetic who had amputations, who needed to go out of the community to get the health care he needed. So the family was in a state of chaos. There were no mental health services for this boy, no respite care. The parents try to do what they can, the older parents, but they couldn't do anything. The boy ended up getting bullied, developing mental health issues, and decided to take his own life. This is a travesty. This is happening here. These are the sorts of stories behind these numbers.
We are here not only to describe the crippling reality. We are also here to offer real solutions. As Ontario Regional Chief in the Assembly of First Nations' national portfolio on health, I am advocating for immediate and strategic investments that must be done in full partnership between first nations, the Province of Ontario, and Canada. I am submitting that full support of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation's five recommendations being presented here today be accepted as a way forward. The proposed solutions are not unreasonable. The proposals come from them and their citizens. The point is that the community knows what the solutions are. We need the partnerships. We need the investments.
Here are some of the supporting recommendations to further strengthen the Nishnawbe Aski Nation's proposals. The first one that I'd like to offer the committee is immediate funding flow to the areas most in need. This is a critical element that Ontario already has come to bat on. Canada, we must extend these efforts across all first nations in need. This means equitable health care access at the community level and where it's most needed.
The second recommendation is that a social determinants framework be the basis for a comprehensive health action plan that includes all relevant ministries and government mandates. This means that we are calling for an immediate adjustment to the federal 2016 budget under the social development of health federal framework.
Again, we know there are investments made in health, but it's very clear that there are going to be adjustments needed to the current budget.
Third is that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 calls for action related to health be the foundation for a successful and immediate implementation plan. This would require a formal mechanism, which wasn't part of the federal budget.
The fourth one is longer-term solutions can only be realized through full engagement, with a seat at the table in the current health accord negotiations with the provinces and territories. This participation must be based on the nation-to-nation relationship.
Finally, and most vital, this set of recommendations will come in the form of a memorandum to cabinet that will call for a binding partnership on dealing with the first nations health crisis that is currently responsible for the high mortality rates of first nations across this country. I want to underscore that last recommendation. I want to let you know that you will be receiving a memorandum to cabinet on the health crisis of first nations in Canada.
We clearly cannot be doing things that have been done before. This fashioned way of expecting that ministries are going to fully understand our situation...well, we have to come forward. We have not yet been engaged in a wholesome way to be able to describe what the solutions might be.
Allow me to expand some points. Since last fall the Chiefs of Ontario have presented five key areas that must be immediately addressed by the federal government. The first one is ending the first nations health crisis, which can only be addressed by fixing the water crisis, ensuring access to health services, and fixing health benefits for first nations, as my esteemed colleague just mentioned. Number two is eliminating abject poverty through investments in housing, healthy and affordable food, infrastructure, education, and training. Number three, immediately implementing mental health and addictions services to address the youth suicide crisis, prescription drug abuse, and mental wellness. Number four is recognizing first nations authority over land and resources, as recognized within our territories. And number five is access to new technologies such as broadband Internet and green energy in order to eliminate the reliance on diesel-powered electricity.
Last month's federal budget is a good start on two fronts: addressing the water crisis and beginning to inject necessary funding for our children's education. New water and waste water funding will be $2.24 billion over five years; new education funding will total $2.6 billion over five years as well.
First of all, let me point out that the new funding for first nations is $8.4 billion spread out over five years. That works out to just $1.68 billion per year. My point is this. We must look at this year's budget and concentrate on health. If we didn't see the investments there, we must move.
It is now 2016. Last year Prime Minister Trudeau said the most important relationship for him and his government is with indigenous peoples. Every single minister has a mandate letter that emphasizes the need to work with indigenous peoples as a top priority. I have great respect for Hon. Jane Philpott and Minister Carolyn Bennett. They are both deeply committed to ending the poor health, poverty, and despair that grips far too many of our communities. I want to further underscore that we also, in Ontario, have a very significant and strong relationship with the Liberal government. In this case, we have a political accord, and this minister, through this very structured relationship process, is coming to bat on health issues. That's what enabled him to come to the community in that very direct fashion and put the investments on the table.
Again, we must acknowledge that this is about framing the relationship, framing those investments and the plan going forward.