Good morning, and thank you, Mr. Chair.
Before we begin, I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people.
I appreciate the opportunity to be here today to speak to the committee about Bill C‑15, an act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025, in particular our proposal to repeal sections 195 and 196 of the Naskapi and the Cree-Naskapi Commission Act.
We have included these provisions in the Budget Implementation Act because they meet a specific request and a clear need. Once in effect, the changes we’re making will provide clarity regarding the Naskapi Police’s authorities on Naskapi lands, and will update funding arrangements so that they better reflect the nation’s current needs and new agreement.
I am happy to inform the committee that these changes are fully supported by the Naskapi nation.
These changes are part of a broader effort by Canada's government to advance self-determination and to build indigenous prosperity by ensuring that indigenous partners have the resources and tools to make the decisions that matter to them. Budget 2025 reflects this effort.
Another example of how we are doing this is through proposed amendments to the First Nations Fiscal Management Act. This change would allow the First Nations Finance Authority to lend to special purpose vehicles, SPVs, which are first nations project financing corporations created by first nations to support participation in major economic and resource development projects. This would make it easier for communities to work together to reduce administrative barriers and to access affordable, reliable capital through an indigenous financial institution.
Better access to financing supports equity participation, job creation, and long-term economic growth for indigenous communities.
We’re also expanding tools for building indigenous infrastructure. Budget 2025 raises the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s target for indigenous infrastructure from $1 billion to $3 billion.
It's a step but not the final step towards ensuring that the energy, transportation and broadband infrastructure indigenous people need gets built.
At the same time, we're doubling the indigenous loan guarantee program from $5 billion to $10 billion. Communities have been clear that equity matters and access to affordable financing is essential. This expansion responds directly to that call. As we all know, financing alone doesn't build prosperity. Benefits need to flow directly into communities and not around them. If contractors can't bid on the work in their own communities, opportunity stops at the gate.
That's why budget 2025 proposes a bonding and surety pilot program to address a barrier that has kept too many first nations contractors out of running for major infrastructure projects.
With this program, more first nations businesses can bid on construction and infrastructure work, create local jobs and keep more economic benefits in the community.
Each of these changes may seem small on its own, but together they tell a much bigger story. They reflect a shift in how we work, away from one-size-fits-all solutions, towards indigenous-led decision-making rooted in self-determination. By working directly with partners, advancing self-government agreements, putting action behind our commitments and making targeted changes where they're needed, we're putting in place the building blocks for a more resilient future for indigenous peoples across this country. At the end of the day, our government fundamentally believes that promoting self-determination is essential to building indigenous prosperity and advancing reconciliation.
To that end, we are also making critical investments to improve how we consult with indigenous partners. Budget 2025 provides $10.1 million for the federal initiative on consultation.
This funding will support the co-development of consultation protocols with indigenous rights holders so that consultations on projects are not only clear and respectful but also meet or exceed legal and constitutional requirements. These protocols set shared expectations, reduce uncertainty and support our efforts to renew relationships with indigenous peoples by deepening our understanding of community perspectives and priorities.
Whether it's the policies in the budget or whether it's the work I do every day as Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, our goal is straightforward—a Canada where indigenous partners have the tools to lead, and where communities can invest, build and benefit from the projects that affect their lands and futures.
Mr. Chair, our government is taking practical steps to build reconciliation in partnership with indigenous peoples, and we will continue to work with first nations, Inuit and Métis, and modern self-government and treaty partners to advance indigenous-led initiatives and promote self-determination.
As we move forward and build a stronger, more resilient future for this country, we are equally determined to build a fairer, more equitable one. We are building a Canada where reconciliation is lived every day through shared decision-making and shared benefits.
I encourage all members here today to support the budget.
I look forward to answering any questions you might have
Meegwetch, thank you, mashi cho.
