Thank you.
Hello. Tansi. Aaniin.
I'd like to thank my colleague, Minister Alty, for her opening remarks.
[Witness spoke in Ojibwa and provided the following text:]
Boohoo. Tansi. Aaniin. Wapinoong. Anishinaabe Ikwe. Ojibwe Nidishiniicaz. Ojibwe Pine creek, duck bay, vogar nindoonjii.
Kwe kwe. Ullukkut. Tansi. Boozhoo.
[English]
Thank you, Chair.
I would like to first acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people. I am pleased to be before you to discuss the budget, in my capacity as Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and the Canadian Northern Economic Agency.
Released just a few short days ago, budget 2025 is clearly good for northerners. The budget reflects a shift in how we approach the north. Canada is an Arctic nation, with the true north strong and free as a central part of Canada’s identity. The world sees that, and budget 2025 affirms this. It is our commitment to a renewed Arctic agenda, one that places northerners and indigenous rights at the centre as partners, from vision to results. This renewed agenda recognizes that the leadership and stewardship of northerners and indigenous peoples drive lasting change.
Many major projects today include indigenous and territorial governments, northern communities, financial institutions and development corporations in designing, financing and leading. Our role is to make certain that we support indigenous communities in their involvement.
We introduced the federal initiative on consultation for the meaningful participation of indigenous rights holders in consultation processes throughout the review cycle of national interest projects.
To advance the new $1-billion Arctic infrastructure fund's support for northern projects, we are providing funding to speed up regulatory processes through consultations with indigenous governments and organizations, and with local northern communities.
This means enhancing the roles of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and the northern projects management office through the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, to coordinate the Government of Canada’s role and relationship with the regulatory regimes and with indigenous partners in the three territories, while developing critical infrastructure in the north and closing that gap with the rest of Canada.
In addition to infrastructure, building the north means investing in people. Providing access to high-quality education is critical to individual success and to our economic success as a whole. Education that is close to home will support resilience and self-determination. Budget 2025 will build on investments to support indigenous and territorial partners with post-secondary institutions.
Budget 2025 is good for the north. We're investing in the creation of an Inuit Nunangat university, which is long overdue. This will be Canada’s first university in Inuit Nunangat.
Access to health care, food security and affordability remain urgent priorities, so we’re here to listen. We're here to learn, and most importantly, we are here to work together. We want to create change that bolsters a “made in the north” solution.
We will be collaborating on an assessment of health care and infrastructure needs in the north to improve access and to reduce medical travel costs. In partnership with northern and Arctic indigenous peoples, we will work together to identify solutions that strengthen delivery and available services in northern communities.
To meet the high cost of living and affordability challenges faced by northerners, we will co-develop evidence-based food security approaches informed by the external reviews of Nutrition North Canada by the minister’s special representative.
Internationally, Canada’s Arctic ambassador is working alongside circumpolar partners to advance co-operation in Arctic governance. We’re active in Arctic Council working groups and multilateral forums because climate change, energy security and sustainable development are shared and urgent priorities.
We will work with indigenous peoples and northerners to uphold their rights, to advance their priorities and to make certain that they are at the table in decisions that affect their lands, waters and communities.
Our work must continue to reflect both the environmental realities facing the north and the priorities voiced by communities themselves. This budget is a step forward. It reflects a shift toward partnership, place-based policy, and a future where the north and the Arctic play key roles, and where their voices are heard and valued.
Thank you. I look forward to your questions.
Meegwetch. Marci. Ekosi.