Justice Committee on May 27th, 2010

[The Chair, Conservative, Ed Fast]

If the committee requests that he returns on the supplementary estimates (A), yes.

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Minister, I have in front of me documents that I have read with great care. I ask you to get them. It is the main estimates 2009-2010. It's a public document, it's written. On page 3, you can read that in 2009-2010, there is a grant of $850,000 for the Victims of Crime Initiative. Is that correct?

[Rob Nicholson, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

Yes, please...

That's correct.

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Thank you.

We can read, right beside it, that for the 2010-2011 estimates, this amount is $500,000. Those two budgets are therefore separate. Don't talk to me about the supplementary estimates, I just want to see that. What is the answer, yes or no?

[Rob Nicholson, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

If you don't want me to come back with supplementary estimates... They have been tabled, but if you don't want to talk about them, that's fair enough.

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Minister, we will be studying the supplementary estimates for 2009-2010, and not for 2010-2011, when you will come back before the committee.

[Rob Nicholson, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

No, no, it's for 2010-11.

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Therefore, when you come back, you will explain to us the difference of $350,000 between the amount of $850,000 and $500,000.

[Rob Nicholson, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

I'm prepared to explain it today, but if you don't want to hear about it, that's fine.

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

I ask you to keep that for later, because you will also answer this other question about the grants for the Victims of Crime Initiative. This is on the other page. You said it, not me. We can see that the amount for 2009-2010 is $7,958,000 and that for 2010-2011, just beside it, it is $5,250,000. There is a difference of $2 million. Will that also come from the supplementary estimates?

[Rob Nicholson, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

Yes, they've already been tabled, and they are in there.

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Does it contain details? My question is the following. If we include what the supplementary estimates say, what would be the amount that would replace the amount of $5,250,000 for 2010-2011?

[Rob Nicholson, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

It should be that in addition to another $2 million, as well as... Again, we will supply you with the supplementary estimates to make it as clear as possible.

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Thank you.

Let's talk now about the Canadian Human Rights Commission. I don't need to have an answer to my question today, but I would like to have one. The Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development voted for the abolition of section 67 of the Indian Act, which was adopted by Parliament. The Canadian Human Rights Commission informs us that, because of this, it will receive several thousands of complaints dealing with human rights. I don't see in the estimates for 2010-2011, nor in the estimates for 2009-2010, any money to deal with those new complaints.

Will that also be included in the supplementary estimates?

[Rob Nicholson, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

Yes. I don't take a role in the day-to-day operations of the Human Rights Commission, but I will certainly get back to you, Monsieur Lemay, on that point.

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Perfect.

I have a similar question about the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. The committee has been told that there already is a backlog of several hundred applications, because this will start in June 2011. I wanted to know if funding has already been provided for this increase.

[Rob Nicholson, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

There are foreseen sums. Again, with respect to the tribunal here, I will provide you with the details.

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Ed Fast]

Thank you.

We'll move on to Mr. Bagnell. You have five minutes.

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Plus 15 seconds.

[Larry Bagnell, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

Thank you, Minister, for being here.

I'm wondering how much you have set aside for the Teslin aboriginal justice file. They've been promised by your officials that this would be concluded this year. As you know, we've talked before about it. It's been 10 years in the making.

Will they get their approvals before the House rises, and how much is in there to cover that?

[Rob Nicholson, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

I'll provide you with any information I have on that. You're right, it's been quite some time. I've met with these individuals, and certainly progress has been made on this, as you know, but the cost implications of that are something I'll be glad to have a look at and get back to you on.

[Larry Bagnell, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

Will you commit to get backing to me before the House rises on whether it's approved, or when it will be approved to go through the process, if you still have to go to Treasury Board?

[Rob Nicholson, Conservative, Niagara Falls, ON]

We'll provide you with any information we have, Mr. Bagnell.

[Larry Bagnell, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

Thank you.

On the aboriginal justice strategy, as you know I've complimented you for continuing it, extending it a couple of years--