Status of Women Committee on April 18th, 2024

[Valerie Gideon]

It is a factor to be considered.

I would say that of the models we have looked at, several offer flexibility. For example, it would be the communities that would decide whether they want to be involved in the alert system or not. The system would not be imposed.

If we move ahead and we choose that kind of flexible model, it would enable us to build trust within the communities. That does not mean that a majority of the communities would participate in it, but a number of communities might be very open to the idea of considering it, as long as they are allowed to participate in defining the parameters, management of the system is transparent, and indigenous voices are part of the governance of the model.

It is not a system that would be completely developed outside the communities, without the help of indigenous peoples. In fact, we would not consider a model like that. What is needed is to make sure the communities have that flexibility, to say whether they choose to participate in the system or not. They should be able to withdraw from the project if they see something or a situation that is of concern to them.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

We have heard about the round tables. The Government of Canada held an initial round table on January 10, 2023, to discuss the situation of missing or murdered indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQ+ persons.

Has another date been set for a second round table, to get things moving and rebuild the relationship of trust?

[Valerie Gideon]

We held a second round table in February 2024. The minister talked about that. A full day was devoted to discussions about this particular problem. We received feedback and excellent comments there. That was also the first time people were able to directly hear the views of your colleagues, who facilitated these mobilization sessions, and talk about what they had heard.

The objective was also to make sure that all aspects of the problem and all of the stakeholders' interests had been taken into consideration so we could start working on implementing the alert.

We have funding to continue to hold round tables like these. A lot of working groups have also been set up, and there are other consultation processes. The round tables are not the only ways of getting the perspective of indigenous peoples. These efforts will enable us to try to build a consensus and have very specific discussions about implementing the project.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

So there have been two round tables held.

I would now like to talk about another aspect. We heard that a continuum of services needed to be established in addition to the red dress alert. That alert must not be seen as the solution that will fix all the problems like some sort of magic wand.

Are you also collaborating with other departments so that you can work on prevention and education, upstream of the problem?

In addition, are you also thinking about the measures and resources that are needed so that after an alert, the law is enforced and services are offered to support the victims?

To summarize, is there a process for looking at what measures need to be taken and what services need to be offered upstream and downstream, in addition to the red dress alert?

[Valerie Gideon]

Yes, for example, there is the national action plan, which addresses all the systemic aspects of the problem along with all the necessary programs and services.

In fact, we were very pleased to see that our colleagues at Indigenous Services Canada have had their budget resources renewed, particularly when it comes to mental health services and children's and family services. They have also received funding to combat racism in the health care system.

Those investments will contribute to supporting families and victims while at the same time strengthening prevention.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

I am going to conclude by saying that the money too often stays in the coffers. Funding is announced, but it never makes it onto the ground.

[Valerie Gideon]

The money that was allocated in the 2024 budget is not money that our department can spend as federal spending. Those funds have to be used in connection with contribution agreements with partners.

[The Chair, Conservative, Shelby Kramp-Neuman]

Thank you.

MP Gazan.

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Thank you so much.

I want to go back to the dead zones. You're from Public Safety. This is a safety issue. We've known that this issue has been happening for many years in indigenous communities. There have been some federal initiatives around improving connectivity. We are now talking about a red dress alert. Some communities will be prevented from even participating, because their human right to equal access to communications is still being violated. What is your department doing to address this very serious gap?

Respond quickly, if possible. I have a couple of questions.

Thank you.

[Arjun Vinodrai]

I'll start.

Certainly it is an issue that comes up in many conversations with regard to emergency management and public safety. We work very closely with our colleagues at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. They lead on issues related to coverage. It is an issue we are regularly working with them on.

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

That answer, for me, is not satisfactory. We were talking about this in Manitoba in literally the 1990s. It's 2024.

When we listened to testimony from folks who are from the Highway of Tears, they indicated very clearly that if a woman goes missing, there are zones where they can't even call for help, should they get the chance. Once they're gone, it's over. This is costing lives.

I know my colleague, Ms. Ferreri, brought this up.

I've asked for timelines for the red dress alert. What is the timeline for this? Is it going to take another 40 years? We know the tragic stories about the Highway of Tears. What is the timeline to ensure that everybody across Canada has access to that human right, including those living in remote areas?

[Kenza El Bied]

I think this is a question that we need to really work on with ISED. This is not under the Public Safety responsibility. I'm afraid to say that. I hear your point. The timelines are so critical. Let us take this one back, and we'll follow up on that.

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

I would like to request a written response.

[Kenza El Bied]

Yes.

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

I have another question as well.

We've been working on the red dress alert for about a year with consultations. It certainly involves Public Safety. It seems, in the committee.... I don't know if your departments are collaborating. You're a big part of making this happen quickly. I'm wondering where the discussions are between your departments to make sure we can get a red dress alert out in a timely way.

[Kenza El Bied]

We have been having conversations with our colleagues, with CIRNAC, on this issue for a long time. Public Safety's responsibility is related to—

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Can you please define “long time”?

[Kenza El Bied]

I don't have an exact date, but what I would say is that since the work started on this issue, we have been working with our colleagues at CIRNAC. What we are providing, from the Public Safety perspective, is the technical support. We are not the lead.

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

I'm sorry. I share this with all respect, but we've asked technical questions in the committee today, and it seems that we're not getting a lot of answers. That technical piece is the difference between this being viable and not viable, in addition to consultations.

How much time do I have, Chair?

[The Chair, Conservative, Shelby Kramp-Neuman]

You have two minutes.

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

I'll move on to Ms. Gideon.

I spoke to the minister about the time to get this right. In another committee, it was around amending EI to include kinship and adoptive care. You spoke about the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We know that in Bill C-15, one of the stipulations was that all legislation going forward has to be consistent with articles in UNDRIP. On several occasions, I have had to try to amend legislation in committee. On this occasion, I did the same thing. It passed in our HUMA committee, and the government overturned my amendments, which would have allowed it to be compatible.

What is your department doing to ensure that it's following the rule of law with Bill C-15, which now informs part of our rule of law?

[Valerie Gideon]

In terms of the United Nations declaration act, CIRNAC has a lead or a co-lead role on a number of the action plan measures. We are also responsible for looking at pieces of legislation within the context of our department that would be within the purview of CIRNAC to identify areas where we would see the need for amendment. Any new legislative initiative would actually have to pass a review to ensure that it is compatible with the United Nations declaration act. We have developed a tool within our department in order to be able to do that, and we have training sessions as well.

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

The action plan was supposed to be released within two years. We're now almost four years out. You're still developing a tool. When is that tool going to be complete?

[Valerie Gideon]

We have the tool within the context of our department to ensure that our staff across our department are equipped to understand how to do a review of legislation or policy items that they are putting forward. We have that developed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Shelby Kramp-Neuman]

Thank you.

MP Ferreri, in the nature of time, it was originally five minutes, but we need to shrink it down to three.

Thank you.