Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on Oct. 28th, 2024

[The Chair, Liberal, Patrick Weiler]

I call this meeting to order.

Welcome to meeting number 126 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs.

As always, I want to start by recognizing that we are gathered on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people and to express gratitude that we're able to do the important work of this committee on lands that they've stewarded since time immemorial.

Pursuant to order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Monday, September 16, the committee is commencing its study of the priorities of the ministers of Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada for the return of Parliament and their mandate.

I would like to welcome our witnesses today: the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations; the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services; and the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs. They're going to be supported today by, from the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Valerie Gideon, deputy minister, and Georgina Lloyd, assistant deputy minister of northern affairs; and from the Department of Indigenous Services, Gina Wilson, deputy minister.

Ministers, welcome. You will have five minutes each for your opening statements, after which we will proceed with rounds of questions.

We'll start with the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.

The floor is yours.

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations]

Kwe kwe. Ulaakut. Tansi. Hello. Bonjour.

Before I get started, I want to acknowledge that we're meeting on the unceded traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people.

I'm pleased to be back before the committee today to outline my priorities as Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.

Last week, I joined you to talk about Bill S-16, a bill that will recognize the Council of the Haida Nation as the government of the Haida people, something 50 years in the making. I want to thank you all for swiftly passing this through committee and for it being referred to the House.

As the minister responsible for this file, it requires constant reflection on the journey of reconciliation, both on how far we have come and how much more there is to do. Make no mistake—there is a lot of work to be done ahead.

Perhaps a fitting place to begin is with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

This day was established in direct response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action number 80.

This year, in Millbrook First Nation, I walked in honour of Nora Bernard and heard from her daughter Natalie—both courageous voices of survivors. In Ottawa, I attended the “Remembering the Children” event, watched Sugarcane and re-raised the survivors' flag on Parliament Hill. We were reminded of the lasting scars left by residential schools, impacting survivors, families and communities, an impact that continues to echo today in every conversation we have about reconciliation.

When I talk about my priorities, I'm clear. Above all, they are listening to indigenous people, honouring their stories and moving forward in true partnership that reflects their lived experiences. With Bill C-29's passage, we fulfilled call to action 53, and the national council for reconciliation is taking shape. We also look forward to special interlocutor Kim Murray's report tomorrow. This is true partnership. It's not perfect, but we are committed to listening, adopting and doing what's right.

The national crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse people must end. We made progress with partners on about three-quarters of the calls for justice so far—as examples, funding 47 emergency shelters and transitional housing projects, delivering reliable Internet to over 27,000 indigenous households and working with the Government of Manitoba to advance a red dress alert pilot—but we need to accelerate this progress.

As we look to the future, we must ensure that the next generation has the resources and opportunities to thrive. On Friday, I announced $20 million in annual funding for the Kinoomaadziwin Education Body to support their infrastructure and governance needs. Chief Judy Desmoulin of Long Lake #58 First Nation talked about the increase of graduates, from eight to 90, in just six years alone. This is incredible. By investing in first nations-led education, we're investing in the future of reconciliation.

It all comes down to self-determination and securing a future in which the rights of indigenous peoples are respected and they have control over their lands, their waterways, their governance and their children, as laid out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Advancing self-government agreements and modern treaties is another way we're supporting indigenous peoples' inherent rights and championing self-determination. This summer, I was honoured to be initialling, with the Province of British Columbia, modern treaties with the Kitselas, Kitsumkalum and K'ómoks.

Through Bill C-77, we propose to establish a commissioner for modern treaty implementation. This legislation renders the status quo impossible. The commissioner will hold our government and all successive governments to account for their promises. This is a fundamental change. I hope every member of this committee ensures that this bill will be a priority in the chamber when debate opens. We must not let this, or any other piece of legislation, be delayed by the tactics of partisanship.

While my department has made progress, I share the frustration with the pace. Our work is far from done. Recent deaths of first nations people by law enforcement show the urgent need to act against systemic racism in our justice system. We must seek truth, ensure accountability and build trust.

As someone who has spent a lifetime advocating for human rights and justice, I understand that our journey towards reconciliation is an intergenerational effort and requires constant and collective efforts. Our government, my department and I remain committed to working alongside indigenous partners to rebuild trust, make real changes and ensure that the rights and voices of indigenous peoples are respected at every step of the way.

I look forward to your questions and comments. Meegwetch. Qujannamiik. Marsi. Thank you. Merci.

[The Chair, Liberal, Patrick Weiler]

Thank you very much, Minister.

Next we go to the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, for five minutes or less.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Minister of Northern Affairs]

Thank you. Tansi. Ulaakut. Hello. Bonjour.

Thank you for inviting me here today.

I look forward to providing further insight into my and our government's priorities regarding the north. My office and the department are always working alongside Arctic and northern partners to address local priorities and help them in having the resources to respond to their communities' needs. Our work is guided by the Arctic and northern policy framework.

I don't need to tell anyone here that one of the most significant challenges in the north is food security. On that, we're working with northern and indigenous partners, through the nutrition north Canada program, to make healthy food more affordable in the north. By subsidizing food and everyday items such as diapers, soap and personal hygiene products, the program has helped lower the costs of some items by as much as 76%. For example, in July this year, in Sachs Harbour in NWT, the cost of a five-kilogram bag of flour would be more than $42 without the subsidy. It's now $4.89, a huge difference for families and the community. There are examples like this in all 124 communities that fall under nutrition north.

We are also responding to food security in the north by adding $23 million to the subsidy itself and over $100 million in two other important programs: the harvesters support grant, which supports traditional hunting, harvesting and food sharing; and the community food programs fund, which supports community food-sharing initiatives. Since 2020 there were more than 15,000 harvests, with over 700 new food-sharing initiatives and 410 hunts and harvests taking place.

Another priority is narrowing the northern housing and infrastructure gap. Our government is working collaboratively to help increase the region's housing stock, reduce overcrowding and homelessness, improve housing conditions and assist communities with their specific needs. We're doing this through investments for self-determined housing and infrastructure development. This includes, of course, $4.3 billion announced to co-develop and launch an urban, rural and northern indigenous housing strategy with, of course, indigenous partners. We know that self-determined, distinctions-based investments are working. As examples, since 2016, Inuit treaty organizations constructed over 650 new housing units, repaired over 469 existing units and developed land in their communities for new housing.

The north faces other significant challenges. The region is warming at four times the global average, with far-reaching consequences for people who live there, for wildlife and, of course, for the environment. We're working with indigenous and northern communities to address the effects of climate change, to help advance indigenous climate leadership and to shift to renewable sources of energy. Programs, such as the climate change preparedness in the north program, are helping to develop northern-led solutions to deal with coastal erosion, permafrost degradation and increased floods and wildfires.

All in all, food security, housing and climate change are three of the top priorities of the government that my department is addressing in the north and in the Arctic. Just a few weeks ago in Iqaluit, Premier P.J. Akeeagok and I co-hosted an Arctic and northern policy framework leadership committee meeting, where we announced a new approach to helping improve the nutrition north program. Starting this year we will be appointing a ministerial special representative to conduct an external review, and chairing a research symposium with indigenous partners to discuss key findings.

To end, Mr. Chair, there are many pressing issues facing the north and the Arctic, and that's also true for indigenous peoples across the north and the Arctic. Our government is working hard with partners to deliver results on these long-standing issues.

I look forward to your questions, and it's great to be here. Thank you very much. .

[The Chair, Liberal, Patrick Weiler]

Thank you very much, Minister.

Last but certainly not least, I turn the floor over to the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, for five minutes or less.

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Indigenous Services]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

To all members, hello, kwe, ulaakut , tansi and bonjour. I'm so pleased to be here with you today on the territory of the Algonquin peoples to discuss my priorities as Minister of Indigenous Services.

Supporting long-term and reliable access to clean water for first nations communities is a top priority for this government. For decades, boil water advisories have persisted in first nations communities, creating a shameful reality where families are living with uncertainty over their most basic need. We've been working with partners to ensure this reality in Canada comes to an end.

Over the last eight years, we've invested in communities, and today, 83% of the long-term drinking water advisories impacting first nations that were in place in 2015 have been lifted. These investments have also prevented over 275 short-term advisories from becoming long-term ones.

This summer, I was in Star Blanket Cree Nation to celebrate with them the opening of their new water treatment plant. The chief, council and water operators were so joyful to be able to bring this most essential service to their members. It was an honour to be with this community on such an emotional day.

We do see a path to all remaining advisories being lifted, but as we continue this work, we must make sure we never find ourselves back in this place again. Bill C-61 is our response: a commitment built on partnership, engagement and recognizing the inherent rights of first nations to manage and control their own water systems.

This bill creates the tools of self-determination for first nations to protect source water and maintain drinking water and waste-water infrastructure on first nation lands. You've heard from over 60 witnesses that the status quo needs to change, and as the committee is set to begin clause-by-clause consideration very soon, I hope you will all treat this bill with the urgency that it deserves.

Children are the future, and ensuring that indigenous children have access to the services they need remains a shared responsibility.

All children and youth deserve a quality education. First nations, Inuit and Métis children should grow up with access to education that is aligned with their cultures and traditions without having to leave home. By working directly with communities, we have focused on building culturally mindful, healthy learning environments for indigenous students that reflect their distinct needs and priorities.

Earlier this month, I joined Piikani Nation to announce the funding for a new school facility that will serve over 600 students from kindergarten to grade 12 in their community. This $50-million investment will make sure that kids have access to high-quality education while they stay deeply connected to their culture and their homes.

Supporting students contributes to the growth and prosperity of communities.

When we support these kinds of projects and communities, we're supporting future generations of indigenous leaders who are proud of where they come from and who they are.

We also believe in self-determination and support first nations-led health organizations and projects across the country, including the June 2024 agreement in principle with the Southern Chiefs' Organization in Manitoba.

We all recognize that historical trauma and colonization have contributed to the poor mental health and substance use challenges that many indigenous community members face.

By following the lead of indigenous partners in supporting holistic approaches to wellness, as well as indigenous-led, community-based and culturally relevant interventions, we are together building safer, healthier and more resilient communities.

First nations living in communities should also have access to primary care and safe, welcoming facilities to receive their health services. Our government has made progress in this area.

We have invested $157.9 million in the Norway House Cree Nation Health Centre of Excellence, which opened in August 2024 and is the largest indigenous-run health centre in Manitoba.

I think the work we've done in partnership with indigenous communities since 2015 is making an important difference. We've come a long way, but we can't take our progress for granted. Members of Parliament of all political stripes can be part of lasting systemic change by moving on urgently needed legislation like bills C-61, C-38, C-23 and S‑16.

Together, we really can build a system where everyone has a fair chance to succeed.

I'm looking forward to your questions. Thank you. Meegwetch. Qujannamiik. Marsi. Merci.

[The Chair, Liberal, Patrick Weiler]

Thank you very much, Madam Minister.

Before getting into the first round of questioning, I want to say to members that I want to make sure that for your questions you're going to have adequate time for answers, but I'm going to be very strict on making sure there's not too much crosstalk. However, it is the time of the questioners to ask questions. I just wanted to mention that, and I look forward to some very interesting testimony here.

Starting with the Conservative Party for the six-minute round, I have Mr. Genuis.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Minister Hajdu, it's good to see you again.

You said, back in March, that the purpose of the indigenous business directory is to demonstrate the indigenous identity of those on the list. Is that still your position?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

The indigenous business directory serves as a tool to ensure that indigenous businesses have economic opportunities to benefit from procurement in Canada.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

I'm sorry. Can you just answer the question, though? You said in March that the purpose is to demonstrate indigenous identity. Is that correct?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

The list helps to ensure that indigenous businesses have an opportunity to compete for procurement contracts—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Minister, could you just answer the question? That's what you said in March. Is it still true?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

The indigenous business—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Is what you said in March still true?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

The indigenous directory is there to ensure that indigenous business and indigenous economic development can be furthered by the spend of the Government of Canada.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

That's not the question, and it's not the answer you gave in March.

However, in any event, you said in March that the purpose of the directory was to identify the indigeneity of those on the list. Why was the ArriveCAN contractor, Dalian Enterprises, removed from that list?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

I don't have specifics, but I will turn to officials.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

I would like your answer, Minister. We heard from the officials on this last week. You weren't at OGGO. I'd like to hear from you now.

Why was ArriveCAN contractor Dalian Enterprises removed from the indigenous business list? Can we assume that it was determined not to be indigenous, or is there some other reason it was removed from the list?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

I can't make assumptions on the administrative decisions of the department, but what I can tell you is that, if circumstances change in ownership structures of businesses, then they very well may be either added to the list or removed from the list.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Okay. Is Dalian Enterprises an indigenous business?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

We don't work with Dalian Enterprises. We don't have contracts with Dalian.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

I know, but you did. It received over $100 million from the Government of Canada. It was part of the ArriveCAN contract. It was able to get it on the basis of an indigenous set-aside through a joint venture with a much larger company, even though it's only a two-person company.

Again, could you clarify why Dalian Enterprises was removed from the indigenous business list?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

We no longer have Dalian and joint venture companies on the list, and Indigenous Services Canada doesn't have, nor has had, any contracts with Dalian.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Why was it removed from that list, though?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

The officials have indicated that it was suspended on March 12 due to questionable factors. In fact, its suspension was announced on March 1, so it is no longer on the list.