Debates of May 13th, 2015

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

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

Mr. Chair, that reminds of a story that took place years ago, while I was stationed in northern Saskatchewan where the water treatment plant was brand new. The community had a state-of-the-art facility, but the problem it had was that the operators would routinely not be in the community, which would result in the water treatment plant shutting down. This is just one of the reasons our government has taken these actions.

Since we were elected, our government has made health for first nations a top priority. One way that we are accomplishing this is by aiming to provide every first nation with the same quality of water and waste water that all other Canadians receive.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development tell the House how much funding our government has invested to support first nations in managing their water and waste water systems since 2006?

[Mark Strahl, Conservative, Chilliwack—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Mr. Chair, I appreciate the hon. member sharing his experience, which is why our government is taking action in an unprecedented way.

From April 2006 to March 2014, the Government of Canada has invested approximately $3 billion to support first nations communities in managing their waste water and water infrastructure. The Government of Canada delivered on its commitment to address water and waste water issues by extending the first nations water and waste water action plan with further investments of $323.4 million over two years beginning in 2014-2015.

From April 2006 to March 2014, 243 major capital projects of over $1.5 million were completed in 177 first nations communities for a total investment of $1.1 billion.

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

Mr. Chair, our government recognized that throwing money at a problem was not the solution. Rather, it is a strategic investment along with systematic reform that creates transformative changes.

Could the parliamentary secretary inform the House of his long-term strategy to address safe water in first nations communities? Also, has progress been made since 2009 to 2011 on national standards for first nations water and waste water systems?

[Mark Strahl, Conservative, Chilliwack—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Mr. Chair, to support water and waste water services in first nations communities, our government has developed a comprehensive long-term strategic approach based on enhanced capacity building and operator training, something the member talked about, enforceable standards and protocols, infrastructure investments and protection of public health.

We are seeing the results of this strategy. For example, the results of the 2014-15 annual performance inspection cycle showed that the number of water systems rated as high risk had decreased by 9% and the number of waste water systems rated as high risk had decreased by 5% since the 2011-12 annual performance inspections were concluded.

These investments and this training that we are undertaking in first nations communities are paying dividends.

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

Mr. Chair, in addition to providing money for water and waste water infrastructure projects, how is the government supporting first nations in managing their own water and waste water infrastructure?

[Mark Strahl, Conservative, Chilliwack—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Mr. Chair, in addition to those capital funds we talked about, each year our government provides operation and maintenance funding to ensure first nations systems continue to run safely and in optimal condition throughout their lifespan. In order to help communities build capacity to manage, operate and maintain their water and waste water facilities, the government provides funding to various partners that provide community operators with training to manage, operate and maintain their water and waste water facilities through the circuit rider training program. This program provides first nation water and waste water operators with onsite, hands-on training and mentoring for operating and maintaining their drinking water and waste water systems.

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

Mr. Chair, I look at my career in the RCMP. I have been stationed in over nine different communities across Saskatchewan, in aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities. I have seen the challenges faced in the non-aboriginal communities as well with regard safe drinking water. They have boil advisories in a lot of these communities as well.

However, it has been almost two years since the Safe Drinking Water For First Nations Act received royal assent. What has the government done to put regulations in place under the act so residents of first nations lands may have the same health and safety protections as other Canadians?

[Mark Strahl, Conservative, Chilliwack—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Mr. Chair, on October 14, 2014, the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and the Minister of Health launched engagement with first nations and other stakeholders to develop regulations under the act. Phase one is under way in the Atlantic, Northwest Territories and Yukon regions. ANSI will work with first nations in other regions to assess their readiness for moving forward.

[Carol Hughes, NDP, Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON]

Mr. Chair, the Auditor General's report indicates that Jordan's principle is not being applied by the federal government to resolve matters of jurisdiction.

Will the minister clarify the responsibilities of the various levels of government in order to prevent potential conflicts?

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

Mr. Chair, our government is taking measures to ensure that children and families get the support they need to live a healthy life in safety.

We are implementing Jordan's principle with the provinces and the first nations so that services for first nations children with multiple disabilities requiring a number of service providers carry on in the event of a dispute between the federal and provincial governments.

Across the country, contacts and federal and provincial processes are in place, and potential cases where Jordan's principle applies are being addressed and resolved as they arise.

[Carol Hughes, NDP, Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON]

Mr. Chair, how much money did the department spend on its appeal, later dropped, of the Federal Court ruling in Pictou Landing Band Council and Maurina Beadle?

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

Mr. Chair, the Government of Canada and the Pictou Landing Band Council agreed on the terms of the financial contribution as ordered by the Federal Court of Canada, and we continue to reimburse the nation for all the costs incurred, from before the trial, or before the court heard the case, to now.

[Carol Hughes, NDP, Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON]

Mr. Chair, what is the suicide rate for first nations and Inuit youth?

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

Mr. Chair, the suicide rate is far too high, and that is why, through the Department of Health, we invest significant sums every year in mental health to help these Inuit children and adults who live in Canada's north.

Our strategy for the north includes measures to help the entire population living in Canada's north, and we are making significant progress.

[Carol Hughes, NDP, Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON]

Mr. Chair, I am told answers and questions are to be of equal time.

First nations youth have a suicide rate, actually, of five to 7 times that of other Canadians, while Inuit youth have a suicide rate 11 times higher. Does the minister consider that acceptable?

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

I indicated, Mr. Chair, that the government considers this a serious issue. That is why every year we invest in mental health measures and work along with the Inuit people and their territorial government to try to address this situation as best as it can be handled.

[Carol Hughes, NDP, Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON]

Mr. Chair, the land and larger land base final agreement for Pic Mobert First Nation has been collecting dust for six months on the minister's desk waiting for his signature, which will allow the first nation to grow its on-reserve economy. Negotiations are done. Why has the minister not signed the agreement yet?

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

The record will show, Mr. Chair, that our government has taken unprecedented steps to remove barriers to economic development on reserve by giving first nations greater control and autonomy over their own land and resources.

Since 2006, in fact, a total of over 400,000 hectares have been added to reserves, which is an increase of more than 10% of first nations land base. In that case, the agreement, I understand, has been signed by Ontario and the first nations. I will see to it soon that we consider signing this agreement.

[Carol Hughes, NDP, Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON]

Mr. Chair, in reality, the is the government that is creating barriers. It is the government that is creating uncertainty and delays for these willing partners. When will the minister sign the agreement? Could he give me a date, please?

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

Mr. Chair, no, I cannot give a date because I cannot speculate about the future. This is a matter which I will have to consider, along with the advice of my department officials. When I am ready to indicate whether I will sign the agreement, I will let the hon. member know.

[Carol Hughes, NDP, Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON]

What a shameful answer, Mr. Chair. They need to move on this and the Conservative government is putting the barriers in place.

The Shoal Lake 40 First Nation had to declare a state of emergency after the ferry connecting it to the mainland was taken out of service. It now has to fly drinking water into the community. Why has the minister refused to meet with the first nation?

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

Mr. Chair, this is a completely false charge. It is not a matter of refusing to meet with anybody. Our immediate priority is ensuring the health and safety of the Shoal Lake residents. That is why, very recently, our emergency management team has kept in contact with the community.

With respect to the water issue, we are ready, provided that the two first nations can settle their differences. We are ready to invest, to ensure that the members of both communities have access to water and a good waste water system but, of course, the first nations themselves must solve their differences.

[Carol Hughes, NDP, Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON]

Mr. Chair, the main estimates show an increase of $17.3 million for “the facilitation of Aboriginal participation in West Coast energy development”.

What activities will be covered by this funding?

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

Mr. Chair, this funding will ensure the co-operation of all stakeholders in the natural resources sector in order to encourage and facilitate participation in the economic benefits of natural resource development.

[Carol Hughes, NDP, Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON]

Mr. Chair, what specific amount does budget 2015 allocate to improving consultations of first nations by Ottawa?