Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on Oct. 27th, 2020

[The Chair, Liberal, Bob Bratina]

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee earlier today, the committee is holding its first meeting for its study of support for indigenous communities through a second wave of COVID-19.

In a moment, I will introduce you to our special guests. Before that, I would like to start by acknowledging that I am joining you today from the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinabe and Chonnonton first nations. Behind me, you'll see a picture of the statuary near my office in Stoney Creek in commemoration of the co-operation of all Canadians and first nations in the war of 1812. The themes address healing and reconciliation with the words “nations”, “allies”, “friendship” and “well-being”. I'm very proud to have that piece of artwork in our riding here in Hamilton.

Now I'd like to welcome our ministers and officials. We have with us the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services; the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations; and the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs.

Mr. Miller, I have you as our first speaker. Once again, we have six-minute rounds. I'll try to be as careful as I can to stay to the time in order to get all of our question rounds in.

Mr. Miller, the floor is yours for six minutes. Please go ahead.

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Minister of Indigenous Services]

Good evening. Ulaakut.

I'm speaking to you this evening from the traditional territory of the Algonquin people here in Ottawa.

Mr. Chair and members of the committee, I'm pleased to join you today, at least virtually, alongside my colleagues Minister Bennett and Minister Vandal. I also want to note the presence of Christiane Fox, deputy minister; Valerie Gideon, associate deputy minister; and Dr. Tom Wong, chief medical officer of public health, first nations and Inuit health branch.

Members, as of October 26, we are aware of 362 active cases of COVID-19 in first nations communities. Since the beginning of this pandemic, we've recorded 1,254 confirmed cases in first nations communities, with 877 recoveries and, tragically, 15 deaths. This number of active cases represents the highest number of active cases to date. In addition, I can report 28 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 among Inuit in Nunavik, Quebec, and all have recovered.

In recent days and weeks, there has been an alarming rise in the number of active COVID-19 cases across the country, including in indigenous communities. We took a number of measures to support indigenous communities at the onset of this pandemic, and as we face the second wave of this pandemic, we are taking stock of what we've learned and applying those lessons rapidly.

We know that when local indigenous leadership is given the necessary resources, they are best placed to successfully respond to a crisis with immediate, innovative and proactive measures to ensure the safety of their members. The low case numbers experienced by first nations communities in the first wave was evidence of this. What is clear now, however, is that the second wave has impacted indigenous communities much harder than the first.

As in the first wave, we've put together and put into place...and ensured that the health and safety of indigenous peoples is my and the Government of Canada's utmost priority.

As the pandemic continues and continues to evolve, we are making sure to prioritize sustainable access to mental health services and continue to support indigenous communities. As such, we have invested new funding of $82.5 million, in addition to the $425 million in existing funding annually for community-based services that address the mental wellness needs of indigenous peoples.

These services comply with public health measures available, and, because of the pandemic, with many telehealth or virtual options, such as the Hope for Wellness Help Line.

We continue to work in partnership with indigenous organizations and communities to support the adaptation of mental health resources and services managed by indigenous communities, and will continue to do so throughout the pandemic and beyond it.

To support the unique challenges faced by indigenous businesses and economies, on June 11, we announced $117 million, plus a $16 million stimulus development fund to support the indigenous tourism industry. This funding builds on the $306.8 million previously announced to help indigenous small and medium-sized businesses.

The Government of Canada is also helping elementary and high school students by providing $112 million to support a safe return to first nations schools on reserve, in addition to the $2 billion being provided to the provinces and territories. And we are working to ensure the security and well-being of indigenous women and children by supporting and expanding a network of family violence prevention shelters for first nations communities across the country, and in the territories.

We continue to promote public health and safety measures and have, in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, been actively evaluating and acquiring approved point-of-care tests to meet the needs of indigenous communities, especially those in rural, remote and isolated areas.

As of October 19, 70 GeneXpert instruments had been deployed to enable access to rapid point-of-care testing by indigenous communities across the country.

I'd like to take a moment to thank the health professionals, in particular Indigenous Services Canada nurses, who are supporting indigenous communities across the country by providing quality and culturally appropriate care, testing, contact tracing, prevention and treatment during this pandemic.

I would be remiss if I did not mention an emergency in Neskantaga that has been front and centre in the last few days. The recent shutdown of Neskantaga's water distribution system is indeed alarming. My officials are working directly with the leadership of Neskantaga First Nation, alongside partners such as Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Matawa First Nations Management, to mitigate the situation and ensure that the community has the support they need until water can be fully restored. Yesterday, Indigenous Services Canada's lead engineer accompanied the Matawa technical team to inspect the community's water infrastructure and continue water sampling.

Funding will be provided for immediate repairs as necessary, and efforts have been redoubled to address the issues with the distribution system and to support the community's new water system to completion. This funding is in addition to the recent $4 million of funding increase towards the project that aims to lift the long-term boil water advisory in that community, bringing the total investment to over $16.4 million. The construction of the community's water treatment plant is in its final stages, and we are optimistic that it will be up and running soon. We will continue to work with the community leadership to find immediate and long-term solutions to this health emergency.

With that, I look forward to taking your questions.

Meegwetch. Nakurmiik. Marsi cho.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bob Bratina]

Thank you very much.

Our next six-minute presenter is the Honourable Carolyn Bennett.

Please go ahead, Minister Bennett.

[Carolyn Bennett, Liberal, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations]

Thank you.

Kwe. Good evening.

Mr. Chair, I am honoured to appear virtually before this committee today to address the issues related to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today, I am joining you from the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin people. I would also like to recognize the traditional territories from which all of you are participating.

We are joined here today by the Deputy Minister of CIRNAC, Daniel Quan-Watson, and Assistant Deputy Minister of Northern Affairs Serge Beaudoin, as well as by Mr. Joe Wild, Ms. Annie Boudreau, Mr. Martin Reiher, Ms. Valerie Gideon and Dr. Tom Wong.

First, I want to thank Dr. Wong and Dr. Gideon, who have briefed all three ministers almost every day since March. That has been, I think, making us all feel better about how well we have worked together on this.

I want to begin by honouring the memory of Joyce Echaquan, as we work together to eliminate the racism that still persists in all our institutions. I know that, as members of this very important committee, you are all working in every way you can to eliminate racism and ensure that all first nations, Inuit and Métis people are able to receive quality health care in dignity and cultural safety.

From the beginning of the pandemic, our priority has been to ensure that communities were able to keep their people safe and had the supports they needed to be able to limit the spread of COVID-19. Long-standing social and economic inequities meant that indigenous communities would be more vulnerable and could be disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

Indigenous communities rapidly went to work to protect their people, especially their elders. They updated their pandemic plans and they executed them with truly impressive results. Indigenous leaders, as Minister Miller said, have demonstrated their incredible resilience, innovation and leadership. During the first wave, as we've heard, the first nation communities reported a COVID case rate that was about a third of the Canadian rate. As we face the realities of the second wave and increasing infection rates in indigenous populations, we will continue to work with indigenous partners to ensure they have the resources and the support they need.

I particularly remember the call with Dene National Chief Norm Yakeleya, who championed and created traditional on-the-land initiatives to keep his community safe. The program supported many families who would not otherwise be able to be on the land because of the financial burden of acquiring the necessary provisions. Other communities needed support to increase the security measures to enforce their bylaws and be able to protect their communities from the risk of outsiders.

Effective leadership, collaboration and coordination is how we have been approaching this pandemic with indigenous partners and how we are committed to moving forward.

My department has had the responsibility of responding to the needs of the modern treaty and self-governing nations. Part of this collaboration with modern treaty and self-governing nations is through the indigenous community support fund. Our department was able to contribute $20 million in March to support the pandemic priorities in these nations, and we've since added an additional $10 million in August to make sure they have the resources to keep their people safe as we go into the second wave.

Our government also responded to the devastating economic impacts that COVID-19 has had on indigenous businesses and communities through Minister Miller's department, Indigenous Services Canada, and through the other government departments. Our department also collaborates with the First Nations Financial Management Board, the First Nations Tax Commission, and the First Nations Finance Authority on additional measures to support indigenous businesses and communities.

We committed $17.1 million to provide interest payment relief for first nations with loans through the First Nations Finance Authority and will continue to work in close partnership with these institutions on their specific proposals and with a broad range of indigenous organizations to ensure that we can build back better—environmentally, economically and socially—together.

It was also important for leadership that they wanted to make sure their members understood how to access supports like the Canada emergency response benefit, the emergency wage subsidy, the employment insurance system and the Canada recovery benefit.

In closing, I can assure you that the top priority of our government during this difficult time remains the safety and the physical and mental health of all Canadians, including first nations, Inuit, Métis and their communities.

I look forward to your questions.

Meegwetch. Marsi. Nakurmiik.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bob Bratina]

That was perfect, but that'll have to do. It was six minutes exactly.

Thank you so much, Minister Bennett.

I have Minister Vandal as our third speaker before questions.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Minister of Northern Affairs]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Kwe. Tawnshi. Greetings.

I want to begin by acknowledging that I am speaking to you from my office in Saint Boniface-Saint Vital, Treaty 1 territory, the traditional territory of the Anishinabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Dene and of course the homeland of the Métis nation, and a city that is now home to many Inuit.

Mr. Chair, I’m pleased to appear before this committee today with my colleagues, to give an update on the situation of the second wave of COVID-19 in the north and to contextualize what the Government of Canada is doing to assist indigenous communities and all northerners during the COVID-19 pandemic.

I have been in regular contact with territorial premiers and first nation, Inuit and Métis partners across the north. With the resurgence of COVID-19 we've seen in recent weeks, we are continuing to work with all partners to ensure the health and safety of all northerners, including taking necessary measures to respond to COVID-19.

The number of cases of COVID-19 in the north has been very limited, and that's not by accident. I commend the leadership and the hard work of the territorial governments and the indigenous leaders, who are keeping their communities safe during this pandemic.

We recognize that remote, isolated and northern communities have unique needs, and we continue to work in collaboration with territorial governments to respond to and prevent COVID-19.

In April, we provided the territories with more than $130 million of funding to address the immediate health, economic and transportation priorities related to the pandemic. From access to health services and supporting businesses and individuals to the continuation of the supply chains through air support and greater subsidies on essential items, we are taking actions to help northerners when they need it the most.

Earlier this summer, our government announced new measures to support essential air access to remote communities through bilateral agreements to ensure continuity of service for at least six months. This included establishing a $75-million funding program for our federal contribution for the first six months, which takes us to the end of the year, and maintaining these essential air services through an investment of up to $174 million over 18 months, if needed. We sincerely hope it's not needed. I commend Minister Garneau for his leadership on this initiative.

We also recognize the increased costs of many essential goods in the north and the increased financial pressures that many families are facing. That's why we provided an additional investment of $25 million to nutrition north Canada to increase the federal subsidy rate for essential items like food and personal hygiene products. We also expanded the subsidy list for all 116 northern communities eligible for nutrition north Canada, which also included cleaning products for personal hygiene that are necessary to keep people safe.

We also implemented the harvesters support grant, co-developed with indigenous partners, which helps with the high cost of traditional hunting and harvesting and helps to provide more traditional country food. We are also providing funding to community-led programs through food banks, breakfast clubs and the surplus food program. We recognize that the pandemic has had an impact on food security for families, and we are taking measures to support them.

We know that this pandemic has disproportionally affected some Canadians, and that's why we've rolled out a comprehensive support measure so that every Canadian gets the support they need. This includes enhancements to the Canada child benefit, direct financial support payments and investments to community organizations and mental health services.

For workers, we introduced the Canada emergency response benefit, which provided temporary financial support for Canadians who stopped working because of COVID. For businesses, we provided $15 million in emergency funding through CanNor to meet their challenges, as well as an additional $34 million dedicated through the regional relief and recovery fund, through CanNor, assisting businesses across all industries in the north, including the medical, hospitality and national resource industry. So far, these investments have helped to support more than 450 businesses across the north.

We also recognize the need to increase access to high-speed broadband in rural and remote communities. We are committed to accelerating the connectivity timelines and ambitions of the universal broadband fund.

We know this is a difficult time. We will continue to support Canadians who need help during this pandemic.

Meegwetch. Marsi. Nakurmiik.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bob Bratina]

I'll have to learn how to say “You're welcome” in all of those. Thank you very much for your presentation.

As we go now to a round of questioning, normally there's a much lengthier preamble, but I think everyone here has been on Zoom meetings before, so you know about microphones and gallery views. I would just point out to the questioners to perhaps direct the questions to specific individuals to maximize their use of time. Also, you should be aware of the “raise hand” function, which is found at the bottom of the screen, under “participants”. I'll keep an eye on that, should another witness wish to weigh in on a topic.

As it stands now, we're going to go to the first round of questioning, which is for six minutes. For my first round I have—and I hope this is correct—Vidal, Battiste, Bérubé, and Blaney.

Gary Vidal, you have six minutes to start. Please go ahead.

[Gary Vidal, Conservative, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I just want to take a moment to quickly thank all of the ministers and officials for taking time to be at our committee tonight. We know you're very busy people at this time. We do appreciate your time.

I want to address a few questions to Minister Miller, to begin with.

Minister, I want to talk about the boil water advisory issue for a few minutes. I think you're well aware, and I would acknowledge, that this is a long-standing issue. It's not necessarily a partisan issue. All Canadians agree that this is unacceptable and that we need to find solutions. Canadians are also frustrated when they keep hearing about how the relationship with indigenous people is the most important relationship to the Prime Minister and your government, but at the same time targets are being walked back and goals are not being met.

It appears to me that we're witnessing a crisis management approach from your department on this issue. I think that's frustrating for Canadians. What we need is a truly proactive and collaborative strategy.

My question is actually quite simple. What are the steps that you, as the minister, are taking to bring a more proactive strategy to end this issue for indigenous Canadians?

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC]

Thank you, MP Vidal, for that critical question, which indeed is key for all Canadians and indigenous peoples living in Canada. It is no surprise to anyone—in particular the issue I mentioned in Neskantaga, which has been an entirely unacceptable situation for 25 years—that this is the result of massive undercapitalization of, specifically, indigenous communities, specifically with respect to resources that, in most communities in Canada, we all take for granted. Indeed, if those were removed from us, we would be crying bloody murder.

It is unacceptable that indigenous communities have been in this situation, yet that has been the case, and we must acknowledge it as a country. The shame lies in not doing anything about it.

From the very get-go, and as we traced the arc of the commitment that was made by the Prime Minister as early as the prior election, we realized quite early that the commitment needed to be doubled, in terms of the number of long-term water advisories that we were covering. This posed, obviously, a logistical problem. It's something in which we invested additional sums. We put billions of dollars into that commitment. My officials—and it's too bad I don't have the water team here—have been working relentlessly to address this in a systematic fashion.

Being the former mayor of Meadow Lake, you would appreciate the challenges with water, water infrastructure and wastewater. For every community these are complex issues. Some we have been able to resolve quickly. Indeed, over the course of our commitment, we've lifted 90 long-term water advisories and prevented a far greater number of short-term water advisories from becoming long-term water advisories. It's important to realize that.

Now, you take the unacceptable trajectory—

[Gary Vidal, Conservative, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK]

Can I interject on that, right there, if you don't mind?

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC]

Feel free. This is your time.

[Gary Vidal, Conservative, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK]

You talk about lifting the 90 long-term drinking water advisories. When I look at the information on the website where you provide that information, you like to talk a lot. I don't mean that derogatorily, sir, but lots of times you talk about lifting the 90 long-term drinking water advisories, but the number of advisories has not been reduced by that many. If you do the math—and sir, I was an accountant for 30 years—there are over 50 that have been added or have been re-added.

Out of the additions, can you tell me how many of the ones that have been added are ones that are advertised as having been lifted and that are now back on? The overall number has not decreased by 90, with all due respect.

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC]

Quite clearly on this, MP Vidal, some that were short and have become long are actually less problematic in terms of lifting. There are some with longer builds—the case at hand being Neskantaga—that have taken some time and are quite complex. I would put to you without generalizing, because it's very important not to generalize, that the ones that have been added to the number—and at some point we should take some time to walk through this, and perhaps the time allotted is not enough—are ones that we are cautiously optimistic will be lifted in relatively short order.

You talked about the website not being updated. Clearly there have been some challenges as communities have locked down—rightly so, to protect their people—and some infrastructure challenges in getting things built. We have been able to do so, and the long-term lifts are a testament to that, but there have been challenges.

We expect to be updating that web page shortly to reflect more detailed information as to where the challenges lie and where the numbers lie, as well, but COVID has placed a challenge on the ability of contractors to get into communities and do all the things we need in order for communities to lift long-term water advisories. Let me stress, it is community—

[Gary Vidal, Conservative, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK]

Mr. Miller, I don't want to be rude, but I do want to get one more question in, if I can, and my time is running short.

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC]

No, no, please. I want to talk about this, but I do respect the fact that it's your time, Gary.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bob Bratina]

You have one minute. Go ahead.

[Gary Vidal, Conservative, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK]

We live in a world where technology and advancements are happening all the time, and I guess just one last quick question is around the approach the department is taking to solving the boil water advisory issue in first nations communities or indigenous communities. Can you identify any kind of new technology or any kind of investigations that are being done in new approaches? In my time as SaskWater chair, there were all kinds of new technologies happening all the time. Could you identify any specific things in that manner that your department is doing to advance this cause?

[The Chair, Liberal, Bob Bratina]

Answer very quickly, Minister.

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC]

We always work with communities on any solutions and we work in partnership with them for the needs in their communities. Some of these plants are state of the art and reflect the highest technology that is available. Obviously, that requires training and a long-term commitment.

I think what I was getting at the end of my point is that we need to be with indigenous communities for the long run, and that's what we will be. It goes way past any deadline in spring 2021, but for a much longer time to come. Communities as a matter of trust are asking us to do that, and we will be there for them, hence the statement in the Speech from the Throne from the Governor General.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bob Bratina]

Thank you, Minister.

Now for our next six-minute questioner, we have Mr. Battiste.

Jaime, please go ahead.

[Jaime Battiste, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

I think that was an important topic, and I want to give Minister Miller enough time to finish his comments around water, because as a Mi'kmaq person who lives on a Mi'kmaq reserve, I woke up this summer without water, and I know that this has an extreme effect. I've been under boil water advisories and not known, unfortunately, until my son reminded me. I just wanted to give you the chance, before I get into my question, to finish off that piece that you were, unfortunately, rushed through in the last questioning.

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC]

I guess my point, to conclude, MP Battiste, is that communities have asked us—and it's a matter of trust building and confidence building that is always in question—to be with them in the long run, and the Speech from the Throne underlined not only the critical infrastructure deficit that COVID has laid bare in indigenous communities, but also the need to build that trust and to be with them in partnership in the long run, far past any deadline that the government has fixed.

You and I participated in a great announcement for the Atlantic water board—the name escapes me, and I apologize—

[Jaime Battiste, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

It's the First Nations Water Authority.

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC]

—the First Nations Water Authority this summer, which is really groundbreaking in the way that the authority itself is transferred to a first nations-led authority to dictate on their terms what goes on with respect to water in the communities that participated. I think that is key to the way forward, and it is key to addressing a number of the issues that MP Vidal raised in terms of how these plants are built.

[Jaime Battiste, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

I would just echo that I agree that the best approaches usually are when the first nations are able to come up with their own solutions and take those solutions back to the government.

I want to pivot now to a little bit about COVID. During the first wave, we were very successful in the Atlantic at keeping it away from the Mi'kmaq and Maliseet communities that we have, and I want to thank the ministers for their work on that. We're looking at the second wave, and while it has slowly progressed towards the Atlantic bubble that has been successful, I was really saddened to hear that the Mi'kmaq community of Listuguj now has its second confirmed case. With the interactions between families in the Mi'kmaq and Maliseet throughout the over 35 communities in the Atlantic, I'm wondering how the government is working with communities right now to flatten the curve, and what individuals can do on their part in these communities to stay safe during this second wave.