Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on June 10th, 2021

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

This touches on a question that I, perhaps, can't answer in the time remaining, but closing those socio-economic gaps, talking about those issues that have driven the inequities and violations of human rights, is key. We don't want to get into a court process, but again, people who have suffered harm need to be compensated.

Transforming the system is a part of that, and as you note by implication, no single court case can transform the system when it comes to child and family care as Bill C-92 can and aspires to, as well as all the transformative pieces of legislation in and around languages and inherent right and that form of reparations that we need to do to transform Canada into what people believe it to be but that, frankly, with the news in the last two weeks, is not.

[Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

It's also really difficult to hear the excuse of indigenous communities not being ready. Indigenous communities have been ready for basic human rights for decades and ready for the right to self-determination and equality for decades.

I'd like you to start walking the walk instead of just talking the talk and go to communities this summer before your government forces an election, Minister Miller. I invite you to go up to communities like Taloyoak and Sanikiluaq to see the conditions of the people who live there. Inuit have always said that they want ministers to come up and experience day-to-day living, so like I said, walk with communities instead of just talking about the importance of them.

Matna.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bob Bratina]

Thanks, Ms. Qaqqaq.

That brings us to the end of the minister's role today.

Mr. Miller, thanks so much for staying with us for as long as we were able to. It was a very interesting conversation.

Thank you, committee.

Now, committee, in the discussion we've had, I didn't hear any specific challenges with regard to the supplementary estimates specifically. Are we unanimous in consenting to call the vote as a group and adopt them on division?

Is anyone opposed to that? I don't see any opposition, so we'll call the unanimous consent for the supplementary estimates as presented, and so, having adopted—

[Jamie Schmale, Conservative, Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON]

I'm sorry, Chair. Just for clarification, do we pass them unanimously, or pass it on division?

[The Chair, Liberal, Bob Bratina]

We can do whatever you want. We can do it on division, if you'd like.

[Jamie Schmale, Conservative, Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON]

I think we usually do it on division.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bob Bratina]

Okay, we'll do that on division.

I thought we had unanimity, but we will have it on division.

All in favour? Opposed?

Are you opposed, Madame Bérubé?

[Sylvie Bérubé, Bloc, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

No, I am in favour.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bob Bratina]

Okay, that's a thumbs-up.

DEPARTMENT OF CROWN-INDIGENOUS RELATIONS AND NORTHERN AFFAIRS

Vote 1a—Operating expenditures..........$866,638,152

Vote 5a—Capital expenditures..........$1,553,000

Vote 10a—Grants and contributions..........$136,347,028

Vote 25a—Debt forgiveness..........$1

(Votes 1a, 5a, 10a and 25a agreed to on division)

DEPARTMENT OF INDIGENOUS SERVICES

Vote 1a—Operating expenditures..........$1,370,648,221

Vote 5a—Capital expenditures..........$31,111,298

Vote 10a—Grants and contributions..........$3,985,198,423

(Votes 1a, 5a and 10a agreed to on division)

They pass on division. Having adopted the supplementary estimates, shall I report the supplementary estimates (A), 2021-22 to the House on division?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bob Bratina]

Thanks so much, everybody. That passes.

We will meet again next on Tuesday with witnesses for our trafficking study.

Could I have a motion to adjourn, please?

[Lenore Zann, Liberal, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

I so move.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bob Bratina]

Thanks, Ms. Zann.

(Motion agreed to)

Everyone, have a great day. Thank you for a very interesting committee meeting today.