Debates of May 9th, 2013

Indian Affairs and Northern Development—Main Estimates, 2013–14

[Bernard Valcourt, Conservative, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Mr. Chair, all of the comprehensive claims that are being negotiated are on the website. It is easy to find out.

[Jean Crowder, NDP, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

Mr. Chair, has NunatuKavut Community Council land claim been accepted by the department?

[Bernard Valcourt, Conservative, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Mr. Chair, is the question about NunatuKavut's claim?

This claim, as she may know, was presented a long time ago. This is a claim that is still being considered and no decision has been made.

[Jean Crowder, NDP, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

Mr. Chair, what is the status of the Labrador Inuit land claims agreement, in principle?

[Bernard Valcourt, Conservative, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Mr. Chair, the agreement in principle, I believe is still being discussed and has not been concluded.

[Jean Crowder, NDP, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

Mr. Chair, the government keeps talking about willing partners.

What is the government's plan to work with unwilling partners since the government has a constitutional obligation to do so?

[Bernard Valcourt, Conservative, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Mr. Chair, I could simply say it takes two to tango.

[Jean Crowder, NDP, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

Mr. Chair, have all the government bills tabled in this Parliament that affect aboriginal peoples' rights met the legal requirement for consultation and accommodation, as defined by the courts?

[Bernard Valcourt, Conservative, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Mr. Chair, I would like to correct the record. I referred to solved specific claims earlier. There were 93 that have been solved under that last policy.

[Jean Crowder, NDP, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

Mr. Chair, I suppose my time does not get extended.

Have all the government bills tabled in this Parliament—I am sorry, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, NDP, Joe Comartin]

It has been extended.

[Jean Crowder, NDP, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Have all the government bills tabled in this Parliament that affect aboriginal peoples' rights met the legal requirement for consultation and accommodation, as defined by the courts?

[Bernard Valcourt, Conservative, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Mr. Chair, Canada takes its legal duty to consult very seriously. We not only acknowledge that duty, we implement it. Every activity or conduct that may adversely affect inherent aboriginal rights or potential rights or title to land is, of course, done through the duty to consult.

[Jean Crowder, NDP, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

Mr. Chair, did the department recommend or undertake consultations with aboriginal peoples regarding the Canada-China FIPA agreement? There is a court challenge pending.

[Bernard Valcourt, Conservative, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Since the matter is before the court, I think we will leave it at that, Mr. Chair.

[Jean Crowder, NDP, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

Mr. Chair, how can the federal government justify increasing operating expenses for AANDC while simultaneously reducing the funds allocated to grants and contributions for first nations communities?

[Bernard Valcourt, Conservative, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Mr. Chair, the operations seem to be inflated, simply because it is not only about operations. There are other items that come under vote 1. It does not all go to operations.

[The Chair, NDP, Joe Comartin]

Resuming debate. The hon. minister of Indian affairs.

[Bernard Valcourt, Conservative, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Chair, first, I am pleased to be here today to discuss the 2013-14 main estimates for Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.

I welcome this opportunity to bring all my honourable colleagues up to date on activities in this very important file. I had the honour of being appointed to this portfolio on February 22 of this year. Since then, I have made it my priority to meet with first nations community members, elders, leaders and youth across Canada in order to advance dialogue on our shared priorities and establish a new relationship with aboriginal people and northerners.

Whether it is through settling land claims, reaching self-government agreements or increasing economic development opportunities both on and off reserve, we are creating the conditions for aboriginal people to participate more fully in Canada's social and economic life.

While we are making progress, we know that more work remains to be done. Our government is also working to modernize legislation in order to allow aboriginal people to benefit from a framework of rights and standards comparable to those all other Canadians enjoy.

Take for example the First Nations Financial Transparency Act, which received royal assent on March 27. It responds to calls from first nations community members for greater access to the same basic financial information about their leadership that other Canadians expect of other levels of government.

Specifically, it requires first nations to publish a statement of remuneration and expenses paid to their chief and council, as well as their audited consolidated financial statements. This act provides first nations community members with the information required to make informed decisions about their leadership, and it provides investors with the confidence they need to enter into financial partnerships with first nations. This will contribute to greater economic opportunities for their communities.

The government is, of course, committed to advancing the outcomes agreed to at the historic Crown-first nations gathering on January 24, 2012. In trying to find practical solutions, work continues with willing partners to renovate programs and develop approaches, including new legislation that would improve the lives of first nations members across Canada.

The government is committed to working with willing partners in addressing elements of the Indian Act that are barriers to first nations governance. For example, we have expanded the First Nations Land Management Act to enable first nations to manage their own reserve land and resources so that they can operate at the speed of business. The government is also improving the process for adding lands to reserves.

On January 11, 2013, the government and the Assembly of First Nations agreed to establish two senior, high-level forums for promoting high-level discourse and co-operative approaches to address the historic treaty relationship and claims issues.

On April 12, I announced the government's commitment to the review and renewal of the Government of Canada's comprehensive claims policy to expedite the resolution of claims in a manner that is fair and that enables economic development for first nations.

We have also, and I referred to it briefly, taken historic steps to speed up and improve the resolution of specific claims. In the past, these claims dragged on for many years, but our reforms have led to real progress. I am proud of how our government has tackled this very important issue. We have cleared up the backlog of more than 540 claims at the assessment stage and have settled, through co-operative negotiations with first nations across the country, more than 90 specific claims, valued at more than $1.5 billion, since forming government.

As I said earlier, these settlements not only correct a wrong; they create certainty and provide resources so that first nations can target economic development initiatives that their communities, and indeed Canada, can benefit from.

We will continue to take the steps required so that first nations, Metis and Inuit can take advantage of the great opportunities our great country offers. This is clear in my department's 2013-14 main estimates, which I am here to speak about today.

The 2013-14 main estimates forecast departmental expenditures of approximately $8 billion. That is a net increase of $178 million above last year's main estimates. As we know, the main estimates do not provide a complete picture of the government's investment. Since the main estimates were tabled, the budget was laid before Parliament. Economic action plan 2013 adds an additional $390 million to the department's budget for programming, job training, education, important community infrastructure and family violence prevention.

Together, these investments demonstrate our government's unwaivering commitment to improving the quality of life of aboriginal people and northerners and to creating jobs and economic growth. Last year's economic action plan included increased funding for priorities our government shares with first nations, such as first nations education and the first nations water and waste water action plan, among others.

Our government's goal is to provide first nations students with a quality education that provides them with the same opportunities and choices as other Canadian students. By improving graduation rates, we will help ensure that first nations students have the skills they need to pursue additional education or skills training or to enter the labour market and enjoy the dignity of a good job and the freedom and independence that go with it.

I could go on and talk about all the other good things the estimates reveal, but I guess my time is up.

[Greg Rickford, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development]

Mr. Chair, I would like to thank the minister for his remarks. I have a few tough but fair questions for him.

As Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, I am particularly pleased to be here tonight to speak to the 2013-14 main estimates for Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. I am proud as someone who has spent a professional lifetime living in first nations communities and working with them in a variety of different capacities.

We are seeing an improved quality of life and improved opportunities to get a good education and to create jobs and economic growth for first nations Canadians and northerners. We are also committed to supporting these reforms with the necessary resources in a way that is strategic and targeted. I believe this is evidenced once again in this year's main estimates and in this year's budget.

Could the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development describe how these investments in the main estimates and the budget demonstrate our government's commitment to creating the conditions for aboriginal people to achieve healthier, more self-sufficient lives and communities?

[Bernard Valcourt, Conservative, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Mr. Chair, I want to thank my parliamentary secretary for his great assistance. He referred briefly to his vast experience in this matter and I will share with all members of the House that being a newcomer in this position, I greatly appreciate the experience and the knowledge of my learned friend.

As he knows and as I said earlier, these main estimates forecast expenditures of about $8 billion. That is a net increase over last year of $178 million. This includes funding for the Indian residential school settlement agreement, for the first nations water and waste water action plan and also for investments to improve first nations education.

As I am sure my learned friend knows, the mains do not provide a complete picture of the government's investment. Since the mains were tabled, economic action plan 2013 has added $390 million to our budget for programming in job training, education, important community infrastructure and family violence protection.

[Greg Rickford, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

For my second question, Mr. Chair, I want to talk about Canada's economic action plan 2012, which included increased funding for priorities our government shares with first nations, such as first nation education. Economic action plan 2012 committed $275 million in additional investments over three years.

As a result, as the minister mentioned in his remarks, this year's 2013-14 main estimates include $115 million toward improving first nations education. A portion of this year's funding will go toward early literacy programming, for example, and other supports and services, such as administration, to first nation schools and students to strengthen their relationships with provincial school systems and improve outcomes.

Could the minister describe how these investments will contribute to better opportunities for first nation students to get a good education that will in turn equip them with the skills they need to enter the workforce and participate in Canada's economy fully?

[Bernard Valcourt, Conservative, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Mr. Chair, whether it be in Kashechewan or in B.C. or Atlantic Canada, all the youth, chiefs and councils I have met with agree that education and skills training is vital to filling the gap in between the graduation rate, for example, at the school level of aboriginal students versus non-aboriginal. All of the investment we are making in education has the main objective of improving these graduation rates, of improving the outcomes, so aboriginal youth in our country, which is an enormous wealth of human resources, can be assisted so they can become full participants in our economy. That is the objective and the reason why these investments are so important.

[The Deputy Chair, Conservative, Barry Devolin]

Resuming debate, the hon. member for St. Paul's. I would appreciate it if the member could inform the Chair how she would like to apportion her 15 minutes in terms of questions and answers or a speech.

[Carolyn Bennett, Liberal, St. Paul's, ON]

Mr. Chair, we will be doing questions and answers. I understand that it means they are the same length of time.

I want to follow up on the minister's statement about first nations, Inuit and Metis in Canada fully participating in the economy. Could the minister tell us what percentage of high school students living on reserve graduate from high school every year?