Status of Women Committee on Feb. 15th, 2011

[Sheilagh Murphy]

We can forward to the committee whatever results we have in that area.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Can you explain to us why there is systemic discrimination and racism in places like Prince Albert or Williams Lake, where the population is mostly aboriginal? Children are removed from aboriginal families in a truly arbitrary and terrible way and are placed with, once again, white families, even though the population in urban areas is mostly aboriginal?

[Sheilagh Murphy]

Again, we leave the placement of children to the authorities who are managing the files. Either a first nations child and family service agency or the province itself will make those decisions in accordance with their legislation and their standards.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

So the Department of Indian Affairs is making no decision. You don't have any programs or measures developed with the provinces to ensure that those children are receiving the competent care they need to develop their abilities and potential?

[Sheilagh Murphy]

We're working on an information management system that will have those criteria built into it. It's not completed. It's not something that we would necessarily have measured consistently in the past. It's something that we are working towards with our partners.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

When will you have finished developing that procedure?

[Sheilagh Murphy]

We have started the work. We expect to have that system up and running in 2012, with full implementation by 2013.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

That's a long time.

[Sheilagh Murphy]

Yes, but it's a complicated system that's being built from the ground up. It has to take in a number of parameters and a number of jurisdictions, so to build that, we have to take a number of steps to complete the process.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Don't you think that, with the apology we made in 2007-2008, we could already have started laying the ground work to ensure we don't have to apologize again in 10, 15 or 20 years?

Hasn't the aboriginal community been suffering, and haven't these children been forgotten, for long enough? Hasn't the aboriginal community as a whole lost its identity, values and traditions for long enough, and haven't we been making decisions for it for long enough? Hasn't it been long enough?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Madame Demers, your time is up.

Ms. Murphy, did you want to give a quick answer to Madame Demers' question?

[Sheilagh Murphy]

I would just respond by saying that it's unfortunate if that is happening while children are in care. It's something we're concerned about, and we would like to work with our partners to make sure there are processes and procedures in place to have their culture respected and maintained while they're in care.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Why don't you consult them?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you.

Mr. Clarke, go ahead, please, for the Conservatives. You have seven minutes. You may wish to share your seven minutes with Madame Boucher.

[Rob Clarke, Conservative, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK]

I'll share my time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Remember that when we're sharing time, I will be reminding you of the time you're using.

Please go ahead, Mr. Clarke.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Go ahead.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Mr. Clarke, your name is on the list here. Will you please begin?

[Rob Clarke, Conservative, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK]

I never put my name on the list.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

All right. I'm going to start.

[Rob Clarke, Conservative, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK]

Thank you, Madam Chair. I didn't put my name on the list.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Your name was on the list.

[Rob Clarke, Conservative, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK]

It's from the previous witnesses.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

We're wasting time. Can you begin, please, Mr. Clarke? The time is going.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

I have some questions.