Mr. Speaker,
For my colleagues who do not understand Inuktitut, I will elaborate.
I am pleased to rise today to speak on the government's 1995-96 main estimates. When the government was elected one and one-half years ago, we said we would do things differently and we are doing things differently.
The government's main estimates for this fiscal year reflect a tough budget but a necessary budget. They also reflect the results of the program review announced in the 1994 budget. The purpose of the program review was to ensure the government's diminished resources are directed to the highest priority requirements and to those areas where the federal government is best placed to deliver services.
The government is clarifying its responsibilities. We are also reshaping federal government programs so we spend less but provide the best possible service to Canadians within the limits of need and affordability.
We are restraining spending, streamlining operations and changing what government does and how its programs are delivered. We are committed to reducing the deficit and meeting our fiscal targets. We are committed to improving the economic climate so more jobs can be created.
We are focusing on the essential responsibilities: reducing federal and provincial overlap; using technology to become more efficient; promoting self-reliance; recovering more of our costs; and merging programs which are similar in nature for more efficiency. Tough decisions have been made and more tough decisions will be made.
Public sector jobs have been cut. Some programs are being amalgamated; some programs have been cut and some have been eliminated. For the remaining programs and services, the government is seeking new and cost effective ways to deliver them. Because we have to live within our means, we must get rid of inefficient or ineffective programs so we can focus our energies where they are most needed.
I want to stress that the government is committed to ensuring that Canada's most needy do not bear the brunt of deficit reduction measures.
Among the most needy Canadians are the aboriginal people. It is a fact that the socioeconomic conditions in most Indian and Inuit communities are the poorest in the country. The government is committed to assisting aboriginal peoples to overcome the disparities in living conditions with other Canadians.
The Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development has been impacted by the budget and program review but not as much as other departments. DIAND positions will be reduced from 300 from the 1995-96 base of 3,237. The reductions will occur at all levels of the department. This is in addition to 442 positions eliminated in 1994-95.
The northern affairs program will be reduced by $15 million over the next three years. Regional economic development programming will be reduced in 1995 one year ahead of its original sunset date. I have to say that the cut to regional economic development programming is a painful one for the north. To create the jobs and opportunities the north needs, economic development is crucial. We have to keep working in this area to further northern development.
Social housing is another area of great need in the north. The last Conservative budget eliminated funding for new social housing construction. So far financial reality has prevented a major reversal of that budget's impact on social housing.
I continue to be deeply concerned about the poor housing conditions in the Nunatsiaq riding and throughout the north. I know that the Minister of Public Works and Government Services is also concerned as is the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. I will continue to encourage the government to do what it can to help resolve the north's housing problems.
The budget and main estimates for the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development confirm that DIAND will maintain its core roles and responsibilities to Indian and Inuit people, such as education and social assistance. Increases to the Indian and Inuit programs will provide funding for basic services such as elementary and secondary education, social services, construction and maintenance of schools and infrastructure such as water and sewage improvement.
Overall however in light of the government's serious fiscal situation, DIAND's funding will be moderated. It will increase, but not as much as in previous years. Funding for Indian and Inuit programming will increase 6 per cent in 1995-96 and 3 per cent in 1996-97 and 1997-98. The moderated growth is a balance between the need to make changes to reduce the deficit and the need to protect those who need assistance most.
There should be no misunderstanding on this point. The aboriginal people of Canada are the poorest people of Canada. The aboriginal population is also Canada's fastest growing population. The aboriginal population is growing at more than twice the rate of the Canadian population.
The aboriginal population is also a very young population. Over 40 per cent are under the age of 25 and the need for housing, education, and social services are great. While improvements have been made over the years in community conditions and individual circumstances, the fact remains as I said earlier that aboriginal social and economic conditions still remain significantly below those of other Canadians.
There is still much work to be done. This government will not abandon aboriginal people. We are continuing to work on the fair and expeditious settlement of land claims. We are investing additional funds in post-secondary education. Education and economic wherewithal through a secure land and resources base are necessary tools for jobs and development and for building healthier and stronger communities.
The government will work with aboriginal people and all Canadians to improve our financial situation, to create opportunities and jobs and build a stronger country.