Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on Feb. 11th, 2022

[Clint Davis]

I completely agree with Dawn's assessment that we are at a disadvantage, although I said in my comments that indigenous businesses look very differently now compared to how they did just 20 years ago. We've built remarkable capacity, as Dawn referenced a number of times in some of her answers, and having institutions that are very focused on indigenous communities and will help to build that level of capacity is important. We are definitely at a bit of a disadvantage.

There is a need, for sure. The Infrastructure Bank plays a significant role in ensuring that we get capital into communities. I've said time and time again, as well, that we need to see some private sector capital that would see the value in investing in some of these communities as well. There's a huge potential there for the Arctic, and there's a role for Nunasi to play in something like that.

Nakurmiik.

[The Chair, Liberal, Marc Garneau]

Thank you very much, Ms. Idlout.

We're past our three o'clock deadline. Let me ask you this. I'm prepared to finish out this second round, which would be five minutes for Conservatives and five minutes for Liberals.

Mr. Schmale, did you want the next five minutes?

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

No, I'm okay. Thank you, sir.

[The Chair, Liberal, Marc Garneau]

Okay.

Thank you to all the witnesses who were with us today. We certainly appreciate it. You gave us excellent information in response to our questions.

For committee members, I look forward to seeing all of you on Tuesday, February 15 at 3:30 p.m. for our next meeting.

For those of you who will be in the subcommittee meeting that's going to take place now, we'll adjourn this proceeding and rejoin the subcommittee members very shortly.

Thank you very much.

[Dawn Madahbee Leach]

Is there a possibility just to state one other item?

[The Chair, Liberal, Marc Garneau]

Yes, please go ahead.

[Dawn Madahbee Leach]

I really want to remind this committee that Canada's future is linked to building indigenous capacity, to become engaged in the economy, because sustainable development in Canada requires our involvement, mitigating climate change requires our involvement, opening the doors to international trade requires our involvement, addressing the labour shortages in Canada requires our involvement, reducing social spending with a focus on increasing economic productivity requires our involvement, and providing access to basic services throughout Canada's remote and rural areas requires our involvement. Finally, improving Canada's global standing on human rights issues requires our involvement.

That is important for this committee to remember, and the only way to do that is through indigenous economic development.

Thank you. Meegwetch.

[The Chair, Liberal, Marc Garneau]

Thank you very much, Ms. Madahbee Leach. That is a very good reminder to all of us.

We will now adjourn this meeting.