Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on Dec. 8th, 2022

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

Thank you, MP McLeod.

First of all, in all the conversations I've had, I've said this is a priority. We fully understand the importance of it. We're also realistic as to the limitations of constructing in the territories, where the seasons are short and where, at the best of times, the cost of doing anything is elevated, especially during these difficult times with inflation. We're cognizant of that. Nevertheless, it's a priority.

Across the territories, every premier I have conversations with is working. We're working with them to put forward accelerated housing plans. We're doing this with Inuit rights holders, first nations and Métis communities, and I think there's progress being made. You can see it in your own territory. The last time I was in Yellowknife, you could see the construction going on and the dollars that were in the queue. Because of the short construction season and the supply chain issues, it is difficult for construction to keep up with the dollars that are allocated.

I've talked about my travels. I went on a 10-region tour over 12 days during the summer. I saw two five-unit constructions in Gjoa Haven, which I've mentioned. In Inuvik I saw a 14-unit construction that was almost finished. In Yellowknife, where I've met you many times, there must be dozens and dozens of new constructions under way now.

I can tell you that in Nunavut, we are working with housing corporations and with the government to accelerate the construction of many homes by 2030. The premier has been very creative in his partnerships and his funding. That's reflected in the budget.

Budget 2022 is investing $4 billion to accelerate work in closing indigenous housing gaps, including $2.4 billion for first nations housing, $565 million to support housing in self-governing and modern treaty holder first nations communities, $845 million to support housing in Inuit communities, $190 million for Métis communities and $34 million to four Métis groups in the Northwest Territories.

I can say that progress is being made. It's not fast enough; it's too slow. We acknowledge that. The gaps are as wide as this room, but we're slowly chipping away at them. What we need to do is continue investing for many more years to come, and that is certainly our plan.

[Michael McLeod, Liberal, Northwest Territories, NT]

It's quite exciting to see the number of units. I've lived in small indigenous communities, and I know there are at least 14 units hitting the ground. Seven of them are being retrofitted, and there are seven brand new ones coming up. That's just a small community. There is a lot of excitement. It's good to see that every indigenous government has received a funding commitment for housing in the Northwest Territories. I'm very happy about that.

I want to ask you a quick question on some of the devastating impacts of climate change. We are seeing communities flooded or starting to fall into the ocean or rivers because their banks are starting to erode. We need to do a lot to mitigate some of the impacts.

Maybe you could talk about what's being done or planned to try to mitigate some of the damage or impacts of climate change in our communities. How do we build a better environmental future in the north?

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

That's a great question. It's absolutely a priority for our government. Everyone acknowledges the climate is warming faster in the north than in the south.

We have, in our budget, hundreds of millions of dollars for the co-development of an indigenous climate leadership agenda. We are moving forward on hydroelectric projects, such as the Iqaluit hydroelectric project and the Kivalliq hydro-fibre project in the Kivalliq area. There is the Taltson hydroelectricity expansion project in your territory, where we're having great discussions with the premier. Budget 2022 invested $32.5 million for the Atlin hydro expansion project, which is first nations-led, in the Yukon.

Those are all real projects we are working on to lessen northerners' reliance on diesel. They're ambitious projects. They take time, but we are making the right moves to see them come to fruition.

[The Chair, Liberal, Marc Garneau]

Thank you, Mr. McLeod.

I now give the floor to Mrs. Gill for six minutes.

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I want to thank Minister Vandal for his testimony, as well as the entire team accompanying him.

I listened closely to Mr. Vandal, particularly when he discussed food insecurity in the north. It's a subject that people constantly talk to me about virtually everywhere I go. This insecurity, which he says is increasing, is also heightened by accelerating climate change and the incidents resulting from it.

He also referred to a whole-of-government approach. I would have liked to know exactly what he was referring to. It seems that food security doesn't just depend on his department, but on other departments as well. So I'd like to know exactly what he's referring to, whether it's programs or something else, so we can have the necessary details to establish commitments in the estimates.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

Thank you very much for that important question.

I can assure you that we're taking this seriously. Our department manages nutrition north Canada's programs, and I know that the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food has very important food security initiatives as well. We often speak with the minister's teams and the—

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

You're referring to Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau. What percentage does her department cover?

For example, you cited investments totalling $87 million to expand funding for food security, but you say that also depends on other departments.

What can the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food do that your department can't?

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

The Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food isn't linked to the nutrition north Canada program. Nutrition north Canada is a program of the Department of Northern Affairs, but I know that Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has its own food security initiatives.

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Are they also intended for the north, Minister?

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

Sometimes there are partnerships between north and west that benefit from the programs. I don't have a lot of details on that department because I'm not linked to it.

We can definitely provide you with more information after the meeting.

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

That's actually what I'm interested in. You mentioned an all-of-government approach, which meant that other departments are involved. Without knowing what's going on in the north, for example, how can the other departments work in a complementary manner with what's being done by nutrition north, for example?

I was wondering how you assess needs when you don't know what others are doing. The estimates provide a certain amount of funding, but we don't exactly know what the others are doing elsewhere. How can we know if the work is satisfactory, or if it meets certain needs?

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

Food security is ultimately a poverty issue. Our government has many programs to assist all Canadians, including citizens of the north. There has to be affordability. I previously mentioned early childhood. Nunavut is the first of all the territories and provinces to create a $10 a day early childhood program.

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Quebec did that several years ago, Minister.

I find that interesting.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

There's dental care as well.

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

I'm finding it hard to link all that to food insecurity.

You say that the $87 million will be used to expand what nutrition north is doing. Can you tell me more exactly where that funding is being allocated? How will it supplement the work being done by nutrition north?

I have another question about inflation and rising costs. I'm very sensitive to that. It's extremely expensive for people to feed themselves in the north. As was said earlier, half of Nunavut has trouble feeding itself.

How will this help?

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

Are you referring to the funding allocated to my department?

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Yes.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

Okay.

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

You say you've increased funding for food insecurity. So that goes beyond nutrition north. I wanted to know where the funding's going. What is this funding going to supplement?

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

The money will be in addition to the nutrition north subsidy and will provide new funding for community food programs to provide direct support for food security activities, such as morning programs in the schools. There are programs—

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Do you mean breakfast?

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

Yes. There's a breakfast program and a lunch program as well. There are greenhouse programs in the Northwest Territories. We provide additional funding directly to indigenous partners, like the harvesters support grant, which makes it possible to—

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

You said that in your speech.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Jamie Schmale]

I'm sorry, Madame Gill, but we are over time.

The chair is back.

[The Chair, Liberal, Marc Garneau]

Thank you, Mrs. Gill.

Pardon me, I've temporarily lost my connection. You exceeded your six minutes. Everyone has this evening; you aren't the only one.

I now give the floor to Ms. Idlout for six minutes.