Thank you, Chair.
Hello, bonjour, kwe, unnusakkut.
I want to begin by acknowledging, as Dan did, that we're together here on the Algonquin Anishinabe people's territory, as we are here appearing in Ottawa.
I'm at the INAN committee today to explain the 2021-22 supplementary estimates and the 2022-23 main estimates for Crown-Indigenous Relations Canada. Joining me, mostly virtually, are Daniel Quan-Watson, Darlene Bess, Martin Reiher and Mary-Luisa Kapelus.
As we look to close out 2021-22, these supplementary estimates reflect a net increase of $317.9 million, which includes $186.6 million in new funding.
The new funding will allow us to deliver on key departmental priorities and indigenous priorities. For example, essential to supporting reconciliation at a fundamental level is $42.2 million in funding for the continued implementation of the residential schools missing children community support funding.
I'd hasten to say at the same time that it is only a small snapshot of what has been promised and indeed funded to communities across the country to this date. I'd be glad to speak to it in more detail should the questions arise. The initiative is key to addressing the ongoing legacy of colonialism and impacts on the residential school system in particular. It supports survivors, families and communities as they continue to look for their children who never returned home and also provide support so that they may commemorate, mourn and heal in the way they choose.
In addition to the supplementary estimates, there is also an inclusive amount of $51.1 million for the Métis nation housing strategy. As you are aware from the ongoing study, safe, adequate and affordable housing provides the foundation for individual families to achieve better health outcomes and socio-economic outcomes.
As we look ahead to the new fiscal year of 2022-2023, the main estimates will amount to approximately $5.8 billion. This reflects a net increase of $1.1 billion over last year.
We continue to work with Aboriginal partners to fully implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's calls to action. Part of this work includes the national plan to end the national tragedy of missing and murdered indigenous women, girls and 2ELGBTQIA+ people. These measures are supported by $108.8 million in the department's estimates. These investments will support new shelters, among other things, and increase the capacity of indigenous women's organizations to provide services and support new models of community safety.
Finally, I want to say a few words about land claims in particular. The amount identified for specific claims settlements is just over $2.3 billion in the estimates. The settlement of land claims, additions to reserves, and treaty settlement agreements are essential to rebuilding trust with indigenous communities, to righting wrongs, to ensuring justice, and so on. We cannot build trust, we cannot talk about self-determination, and we cannot move forward on reconciliation without addressing the issue of land, because land issues are one of the main causes of socio-economic inequality among first nations, Inuit and Métis.
To say that at some points we are throwing money at the problem is often misunderstanding that monetary compensation plays an essential role in restorative and reparatory justice and allows us to move on, on an equal-to-equal basis. There are many other instruments that I'd be eager to talk to you about at the committee, but as we apprehend what may seem in appearance to be large sums are often sums that have come due for over sometimes decades, and indeed centuries.
I appreciate the opportunity to explain the department's spending forecast today, and I look forward to answering any questions you may have.
Meegwetch, qujannamiik, marsi, thank you, merci.