Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on Dec. 9th, 2024

[Anna Gainey, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Minister Petitpas Taylor, I understand that there is a project in your riding that is near and dear to your heart. It's called the Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre. Minister Lebouthillier was also recently co-operating with you on that facility. I believe it was unveiled with both of you together.

Would you like to tell us a little bit more about this project and the partnerships that have been built with indigenous communities through this project?

[Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Liberal, Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB]

You're correct. It's a project that's near and dear to my heart and to all MPs from New Brunswick.

It is called the Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre. It is a significant infrastructure investment in that, through the Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre, five agencies will be under the same roof. The agencies are Pêches et Océans, which is Fisheries and Oceans; the CFIA; Environment Canada; the Canadian Space Agency; and the National Research Council. It's going to be a state-of-the-art facility where they'll be able to share laboratories and resources, and the list goes on. We'll be creating 700 good-paying jobs. We'll be partnering with local universities.

What was really interesting to me, Anna, is that two weeks ago, when Minister Lebouthillier was there, we had a press conference for phase two of the project. An indigenous elder by the name of Noel Milliea was there from Elsipogtog First Nation, which is a community about an hour away from Moncton. When speaking at the press conference, the elder indicated to me that the consultation process that happened with PSPC was really a gold standard. He said that oftentimes in the past, perhaps it was just checking the box, but here there was meaningful, sincere engagement.

I'm going to read you a quote, because I was hoping that the question was going to be asked today. The media asked him a question, and this is exactly what he responded to the media:

“I was telling her”—meaning me—“how important it was on the progress that we've made in building and rebuilding relationships, and when we speak about truth and reconciliation, we're actually moving towards acknowledging the truth, being mindful and using that mindfulness to create better relationships towards reconciliation. Reconciliation is still a little ways away, and right now, we're in the process of doing a really good job in that, and I have to credit also PSPC for the work that they've done above and beyond what they would normally call engagement, because it's past the engagement now, and it's more so into how we develop long-standing, meaningful relationships with each other, and so I think that that plays a very important part in the success of this project.”

The reason he was also indicating that is that the contracts that have been signed with indigenous companies have really exceeded the 5% threshold. It doesn't mean that the federal government doesn't have a lot more work to do, and we've heard a lot of issues about that here today, but again, this is an example of one of those good projects.

When elder Noel mentioned that, it just really struck me. You could tell that he was genuinely pleased with the work that PSPC has done, and he wanted to share that.

[Anna Gainey, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

Thank you for sharing that with us today.

I don't know what my time is. The chair is chatting.

[The Chair, Liberal, Patrick Weiler]

You have about a minute and a half.

[Anna Gainey, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

In terms of relationship building as well, perhaps we could go back. I understand that in 2023, Veterans Affairs Canada and the AFN signed a letter of understanding to strengthen the commitment in supporting first nations veterans. You spoke a little bit about this already. This sounds like a significant step that was taken, and I wonder if you could tell us a little bit more about the priorities established in this LOU and how it's helping to improve relationships between Veterans Affairs Canada and the AFN.

[Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Liberal, Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB]

When I talk about reconciliation, the message I want to share here this evening is that all departments have a role to play. It's a whole-of-government approach, and Veterans Affairs is certainly not unique to that.

Last spring, in 2023, the former minister of Veterans Affairs, Lawrence MacAulay, signed this letter of understanding with the AFN. Four priority areas were decided upon.

First and foremost was expanding outreach services, as I indicated earlier. That is a part of the study that's taking place right now at ACVA. Again, we want to ensure that more veterans are aware of the services and benefits that they are entitled to.

Another priority for them was establishing a clear point of contact for veterans. If they are veterans and need services, it was about how to go about those types of services.

Another was increasing indigenous representation when it comes to commemorative events across the country, internationally and here in Canada.

Finally, they made it very clear that establishing a historical record for first nations veterans was a priority for them.

Again, I was pleased that former minister MacAulay and the president of the day signed this letter of understanding. Our department continues to work closely with AFN and other indigenous groups to ensure that we can establish those working relationships in a meaningful way.

[Anna Gainey, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Liberal, Patrick Weiler]

Thank you very much, Ms. Gainey.

Mr. Lemire, you have the floor for two and a half minutes.

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Minister Anandasangaree, you don't want to talk about the future of the Métis National Council. I understand that, but I still want to talk to you about the present, to find out a little more about the situation.

Who is the legitimate voice of the Métis National Council? Who is speaking on behalf of the council and speaking to you?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON]

As of yesterday, it was the executive director. There is a newly elected president with whom I will be engaging very soon.

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

There has been no notice of a meeting or a general assembly of members for over a year. A number of people have questions about the president who has just been officially appointed. Apparently, she has even been in her position since September 2024, but her appointment was just announced today.

What can you tell us about the process that led to her appointment? On what basis did the organization appoint this person, when the organization is unable to form a quorum?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON]

Mr. Lemire, I'm not going to comment on this any further. I think I've indicated my position to you. I will be more than glad to have a full debriefing and conversation with you after I have meetings. I don't think it's fair for you and me to litigate this matter in public.

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

I just want to reiterate some facts: The Métis Nation of British Columbia withdrew from the Métis National Council on Friday, October 29, and the new president is apparently that community's representative.

On another note, the organization is withholding an expert report on new Métis communities in eastern Ontario. Have you seen that report? Would it be possible for you to send it to the committee? I am telling you quite amicably that withholding a report that has been commissioned raises a problem that concerns legitimacy and the democratic aspect.

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON]

I don't believe we formally received the report. Once the department receives it, I will review it. Based on consent, I will be able to table the report. However, I need to get the consent of the authority that can give me that consent.

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Thank you very much, meegwetch.

[The Chair, Liberal, Patrick Weiler]

Thank you very much, Mr. Lemire.

Next we'll go to Ms. Idlout for two and a half minutes.

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Qujannamiik, Iksivautaq.

To follow up on my questions on Liberal complacency about pretendians, their impact on indigenous peoples and the economic barriers they create for indigenous peoples, I want you to answer this briefly: Why was it so easy for my friend Rachel, who is white and who was adopted by a first nation, but so complicated for Randy, who has a similar experience but who has a lot of people who he claims make mistakes about his identity?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON]

I think that for each individual, their experience and personal life circumstances may be different. You just heard from Mr. McLeod, who offers a very different perspective as well. I'm not the one impacted here directly. It is Mr. Boissonnault. He provided a set of reasons, and I will let that stand.

I want to reiterate that this is a deeply complex issue for anyone, not just Mr. Boissonnault. It is for anyone in very similar circumstances.

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

I'm going to change my line of questioning.

Bill C-15 was on the implementation of UNDRIP. Whose main responsibility is it to ensure that UNDRIP is implemented in Canada.

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON]

It is very much every minister's responsibility. We're all part of ensuring that UNDRIP is implemented. We have 58 measures within the UNDRIP action plan. The lead is the Minister of Justice.

However, I would say that more than a third of those action plan measures are the responsibility of the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Very quickly, if the TRC calls to action mention UNDRIP, whose responsibility is it to ensure the calls to action are being implemented?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON]

Certainly that is something that would be led by our department.

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Very quickly, then, what have you done to ensure that call to action 92, under business and reconciliation, is implemented?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON]

That is something that is delegated to Minister Hajdu, but we do work together on a number of measures around economic reconciliation, including the loan guarantee program. As well, she has established a number of round tables. We also work with modern treaty organizations.

Of course, as I indicated earlier, there is a lot more work to do on that front.

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Thank you.