Thank you, Chair. Kwe, unusakut, tansi, hello.
Good afternoon.
I'd like to begin by thanking Mr. Vandal for acknowledging that we are on unceded territory.
I would also like to thank the committee for inviting me today.
I am pleased to present the 2023‑24 main estimates for the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, as well as related information from budget 2023.
As this committee has seen, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada's 2023-24 main estimates are approximately $9.2 billion. Of this amount, $8 billion is for Crown-Indigenous Relations.
The main estimates reflect a net increase of $3.3 billion compared to last year's main estimates. This is a crucial increase in funding in order to expedite work at the negotiation tables, settle historical grievances and advance reconciliation.
This includes $3.5 billion towards claims resolution, most notably earlier in the year $2.9 billion that will go towards the Gottfriedson Band class settlement agreement. This settlement will establish an indigenous-led trust for communities that have opted into the class action, to support the revival and protection of indigenous languages, cultures, heritage and wellness for indigenous communities and their members.
Another $1.9 billion will be put towards the resolution of a number of specific claims. As this committee knows, last year was a record year for these types of settlements, with 56 claims resolved, for a total of $3.5 billion in compensation. This is something that we need to continue as we work to pay Canada's overdue bills.
The main estimates also include just over $2 billion for the management and implementation of agreements and treaties, essentially transfer payments; $53 million to support first nations jurisdiction over land and fiscal management, which this committee has had an opportunity recently to study; and $194 million for the negotiation of treaties, self-government agreements and other constructive arrangements of the sort.
As part of budget 2023, our government has undertaken other investments to support indigenous peoples, including to advance economic reconciliation. For example, through the budget, the government proposes to provide $35.3 million over three years, starting this fiscal year, to Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Natural Resources Canada to co-develop, with the Lands Advisory Board, a new first nations-led national land registry that will provide communities in first nation land management with more opportunities to realize the economic benefits arising from local control over their lands.
Along with these important investments, budget 2023 proposes to invest funds to continue implementing the work of the missing and murdered indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people national action plan.
As we approach June 3, which is the anniversary of the launch of the national action plan on missing and murdered indigenous women, girls and LGBTQ people, it is important to highlight that these new investments will support the government's ongoing work to end this crisis.
This funding will help to support families and survivors, while heeding their call for increased accountability. Here are some examples of those investments.
The government will invest $2.6 million over three years, starting in 2023‑24, to support the National Family and Survivors Circle in keeping families and survivors at the centre of the implementation of the national action plan and the Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People.
The government will also invest $2.2 million over five years, starting in 2023‑24, to establish an oversight mechanism to monitor, and report on, the progress of implementation.
In addition, the government will invest $1.6 million over two years to support the ministerial special representative appointed to provide advice and recommendations on the creation of an indigenous and human rights ombudsperson.
Furthermore, the government will invest $2.5 million over five years, beginning this year, to facilitate and coordinate work on advancing the national action plan by establishing a standing federal-provincial-territorial-indigenous table on missing and murdered indigenous women, girls and LGBTQ+ people. This table will provide a specific forum to take action on areas of shared roles and responsibilities regarding missing and murdered indigenous women, girls and LGBTQ+ people, including prioritizing discussion on how to launch a “red dress alert” to notify the public when an indigenous woman or two-spirit person goes missing.
These and other expenditures reflect our government's commitment to reconciliation with first nations, Inuit and Métis. I recognize, at the same time, that there is a tremendous amount more work to do.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide you with a broad-brush-stroke overview of the estimates. I welcome any questions that you surely have.
Meegwetch. Qujannamiik. Marsi. Thank you. Merci.