Public Accounts Committee on April 29th, 2021

[Christiane Fox]

In any infrastructure project, there are realities that mean there are sometimes delays. I can't say that there were no delays before the COVID-19 pandemic. There are always projects that move a little faster or slower than others.

We were working closely with the committees to really understand the project and the timelines, and how we could make up for any delays. That was the reality we were living with, even before the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic had a very significant impact on the progress of some infrastructure projects, not just water projects. As a result, we have had to rethink our timelines and realize that the closure of several communities necessitated extending our deadline beyond March 31, 2021.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC]

Thank you, Ms. Fox. That answers my question.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the situation, but there were still delays before the pandemic.

In terms of the drinking water systems assessed that have the same issues as in 2015, almost half of the systems are at high or medium risk. A comparison of the 2019-20 and the 2014-15 reports shows that, five years later, the situation is the same.

How is that there has been no improvement in five years?

[Christiane Fox]

First, I confirm that the department was working through the summer and fall with the goal of meeting the deadline. It was only in the fall that this changed, when the Minister asked that work not continue based on that timeline. I just wanted to clarify that.

In terms of the percentage of systems at risk, we saw reductions in risk, especially for systems that were high risk. The percentage was close to 20% at one point, based on our risk assessment system. In 2019-20, that percentage was between 14% and 15%. The number of systems that were high risk has been reduced.

There are still systems that are at risk, because some of them aren't intended for long-term use. They are temporary systems, which are inherently higher risk—

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC]

Ms. Fox, my question was about high- and medium-risk systems.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly Block]

Thank you very much.

We will now move on to Ms. Ashton for two and a half minutes.

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

Thank you.

First, I have a comment. I find it pretty rich when I hear Liberals talking about how it's not just about money and it is about capacity. I mean, where's the political will? It's pretty disrespectful to blame first nations for not having clean drinking water. I have heard and visited communities where first nations are doing everything they can with what they've got to meet the need in their communities. The stories right now in 2021, during a pandemic, are stories that are inhumane and are reflective of third world living conditions, so just to set the record straight here, what we are missing is political will from this government.

I want to go to the AG to ask, based on their report, how devastating is it that so many first nations do not have access to clean drinking water? Does this also connect with their—

[Lloyd Longfield, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

On a point of order, this is really hard on my ears. I can only imagine the trouble the translators are having. It's very loud.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly Block]

Okay. Thank you very much, Mr. Longfield.

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

I love how passion, especially from women, is often misconstrued as being just “loud”.

[Lloyd Longfield, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

No. It's your mouthpiece, I think. It has to go up higher.

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

Well, I'll take my cues from the techs, thank you.

To go back to the AG, when communities don't have clean drinking water, is it limiting in other ways in terms of their ability to provide other services, whether it's opening up schools or expanding health care services? We know that when there isn't enough access to quality water in communities, there are a number of other domino effects.

I'm wondering if the AG could speak to that.

[Karen Hogan]

We definitely didn't look at all of those domino effects in our audit, but I do agree with you. We did highlight the boil water advisory and what it impacts—fundamental things like bathing your young children or preparing food. It requires a community to boil their water before they can do so. Not having access to safe drinking water obviously has an impact on the general health of any human being.

The ripple effect is definitely one that's there and one that will impact generations of first nations. That's why it's so important to find those long-term solutions as soon as possible.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly Block]

Thank you very much, Ms. Hogan and Ms. Ashton.

That brings us to the end of our questioning.

I would like to thank our witnesses for joining us today.

As well, thank you, colleagues, for all of your very good questions.

I will now invite our witnesses to take their leave.

[Christiane Fox]

Thank you very much. Have a good day.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly Block]

You too.

Colleagues, you all should have received the revised calendar for April and May. I know that our clerk and our analysts worked quickly to get this into your hands so that you could take a look at it. Are there any questions?

Seeing none—

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Yes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly Block]

Go ahead, Mr. Berthold.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

I was trying to find my “raise hand” option.

For May 13, we will have the meeting....

I'll switch back to French.

On May 13, we will have a meeting with people who will explain the cabinet confidences, and we will be looking at two reports. I suggested that we immediately schedule an extension of the meeting until 2:00 p.m., which would make it a three-hour meeting. We could then plan our schedule accordingly.

Does everyone agree to proceed this way? I would like us to plan for this meeting to be a little longer than usual. That way, we don't have to extend the meeting by half an hour or 45 minutes at the meeting

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly Block]

Thank you very much, Mr. Berthold.

I know that at times we do go over time. We try to keep it to a minimum, given the pressures that are on our technicians and other staff, because there are other meetings that need to begin when ours ends.

I would ask the clerk to weigh in on our ability to extend a meeting by an hour on May 13, and then perhaps we can hear from our colleagues as well on whether this will work with their schedules.

Mr. Longfield....

Oh, I'm sorry. Madam Clerk, would you like to go first?

[The Clerk of the Committee, Ms. Angela Crandall]

No, please let Mr. Longfield go.

[Lloyd Longfield, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Thank you. That's where I was going as well. I could have brought my hand down.

We looked at an hour. If we could still have our committee meeting in two hours, if that option is available, it would be wonderful.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly Block]

If I am understanding correctly, Mr. Longfield, we have a two-hour meeting scheduled. Mr. Berthold is asking for an additional hour, so we would be meeting for three hours.

[Lloyd Longfield, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Yes, exactly. I'm agreeing with Mr. Berthold.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly Block]

Okay. Thank you.

[The Clerk]

If I may, Madam Chair—