Debates of May 13th, 2015

Indian Affairs and Northern Development--Main Estimates, 2015-2016

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

Mr. Chair, I heard about that allegation, at the time, from Cindy Blackstock herself, in her statements to various media outlets. This case was handled by the Canadian Human Rights Commission. We also know that it was not a campaign, as the member is alleging.

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

I remind hon. members to direct their comments through the chair when the House is in committee of the whole.

The hon. member for Manicouagan.

[Jonathan Genest-Jourdain, NDP, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Chair, are other aboriginal activists currently under surveillance by my colleague's department?

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

Mr. Chair, I do not see what this question has to do with the main estimates. However, not to my knowledge, no.

[Jonathan Genest-Jourdain, NDP, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Chair, does he know how many activists are under surveillance by his department?

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

Mr. Chair, to my knowledge, the department is not spying on any activists, anywhere.

[Jonathan Genest-Jourdain, NDP, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Chair, does he know how many Aboriginal Affairs employees are charged with monitoring social media and other aboriginal activities?

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

Mr. Chair, my answer is the same as for the previous question.

[Jonathan Genest-Jourdain, NDP, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Chair, how many first nations communities are under a boil water advisory?

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

Mr. Chair, on May 5, 2015, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, there was a total of 1,411 drinking water advisories in effect. To be sure, this is a measure to protect people's health.

[Jonathan Genest-Jourdain, NDP, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Chair, may I suggest that you remind my colleague that the duration of his response should be proportional to the duration of the question?

The answer was simple, actually. Over 90 communities across Canada, excluding British Columbia. That only takes a few seconds to say.

How much money has the department spent this year to fly bottled water in to first nations communities under boil water advisories?

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

Mr. Chair, the line item for that expenditure does not enable us to determine the cost. The money is transferred to first nations as part of their budget. I am unable to say how much they have spent to ship bottles of water.

[Jonathan Genest-Jourdain, NDP, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Chair, in how many first nations communities does the drinking water system comply with the standards set out in the guidelines for Canadian drinking water quality?

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

Mr. Chair, I do not have the exact number with me, but I can get him that information in writing.

[Jonathan Genest-Jourdain, NDP, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Chair, we have excellent researchers on the NDP staff.

Between now and March 31, 2019, the department expects only 87% of first nation drinking water systems to meet prescribed standards.

How many first nation communities have waste water treatment systems that currently meet effluent quality regulations and guidelines?

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

Mr. Chair, if he has the answers to all the questions, why bother asking them? Is he trying to waste the committee's time?

[Jonathan Genest-Jourdain, NDP, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Chair, we are in the same situation as the last time I asked him some questions. He is passing the buck.

How much of the water and waste water systems budget will be dedicated to developing drinking water regulations?

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

Mr. Chair, we will continue to implement our action plan to improve the quality of waste water and drinking water in first nations communities across the country.

As I said earlier, we have invested nearly $3 billion since 2006 in waste water infrastructure. As shown in our recent budget, economic action plan 2015, we will continue pursuing our efforts and improving the situation.

[Jonathan Genest-Jourdain, NDP, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Chair, is the minister aware of the need for new housing?

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

Mr. Chair, yes.

[Jonathan Genest-Jourdain, NDP, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Chair, a more detailed answer would have been appreciated.

What percentage of the community infrastructure improvement fund will be allocated to building law enforcement facilities on reserves, including prisons and police stations?

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

Mr. Chair, I did not understand the question. The member is speaking too quickly.

[Jonathan Genest-Jourdain, NDP, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Chair, I have another question.

When will the five-year review of the mandate and structure of the specific claims tribunal be completed?

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

Mr. Chair, it is finished. It began last fall.

[Jonathan Genest-Jourdain, NDP, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Chair, what is the government's total financial liability for land claims?