Debates of June 17th, 2020

Supplementary Estimates (A)

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

Mr. Speaker, obviously COVID-19 is the top priority at this moment, but let us not forget that one of the great global priorities that Canada is committed to is the very real issue of climate change. We are keeping that in mind as we go forward.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Mr. Speaker, here today $182 million in taxpayers' money is proposed to subsidize wealthy car owners. Why is the government continuing to subsidize car owners? Has it run out of refrigerators to buy for Loblaws?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in 2019, when we approved $319 million in the budget, it was for three years, but this program has been overwhelmingly successful, which is very encouraging. Not only are we providing incentives to purchase electric vehicles which do not—

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Mr. Speaker, through you to theMinister of Middle Class Prosperity, the cheapest electric vehicle in Canada is about $1,000 per month to buy or to finance. How many middle-class Canadians can afford $1,000 a month and will qualify for such a loan?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of models that are eligible for the $5,000 electric vehicle incentive, or $2,500 for hybrid vehicles, either to purchase or to lease. In fact, we are also spending money on building the network charging infrastructure. We are committed to this plan.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Mr. Speaker, this vehicle costs $1,000 a month to finance. Not many middle-class Canadians can afford that, if any.

None of these cars are made in Canada. Why is the government making this subsidy available to create middle-class jobs in the United States?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

Mr. Speaker, as I said, we are committed to the transition toward cleaner vehicles because light-duty vehicles are responsible for 50% of all greenhouse gas that is generated in the transportation sector. That is one-eighth of all greenhouse gases in the country.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Mr. Speaker, not a single light-duty vehicle is eligible for the government's subsidy program. I suggest that the minister learn what is available.

Will the Minister of National Defence commit to providing a comprehensive update on the strong, secure and engaged costing platform as the PBO has requested?

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, we always look forward to working with the PBO's office when it comes to strong, secure and engaged, especially with the unprecedented investments that we are making in our defence.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Mr. Speaker, DND has delivered data covering just 10% of the projects, covering just 5% of the half trillion dollars in spending. Why?

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Vancouver South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, we are committed to making sure that within our SSE, the investments we have committed as a government is a fully funded defence policy. We are also making—

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I will answer for him. DND has told the PBO that the update does not actually exist. It does not have the other information on the other 90% of the projects. Why is DND continuing to fail Canadians on strong, secure and engaged?

[Harjit S. Sajjan, Liberal, Vancouver South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to SSE, the majority of our projects are not only under way, but we are very transparent with our costing. In fact, we worked with the defence industry where we actually put out our defence investment plan as well, in addition to making sure that all of our costing is demonstrated in a transparent way.

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Minister of Indigenous Services]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge my presence today on the traditional territory of the Algonquin people.

I would like to say a few words on the current social climate in Canada. Right now is a moment when Canadians are recognizing that there is unfairness built into our systems. These systems have always been unfair toward indigenous people.

I look to my colleagues in the House to reflect on why injustice toward indigenous people still happens and how we can move forward in the short, medium and long term. I know that in my capacity as Minister of Indigenous Services, I face those questions every day, as does my ministry. These are difficult and uncomfortable conversations, but important ones to have.

With that, I welcome this opportunity to provide the House with an update on our continuing effort to confront the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. I can assure members that the top priority of the Government of Canada during this time remains the safety and physical and mental health of all Canadians and indigenous people living in Canada.

As of June 16, Indigenous Services Canada is aware of 255 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in first nations. Of those, 210 individuals are considered to have recovered.

Indigenous Services Canada continues to work closely with communities to identify a surge in health infrastructure needs, supporting efforts to screen, triage and isolate individuals in the event of a possible COVID-19 outbreak. We will continue to work closely with communities and partners to coordinate resources and keep people and communities safe.

To date, the Government of Canada has provided indigenous peoples and northern communities with approximately $1.5 billion in funding to successfully fight COVID-19.

A large portion of this funding is found in the Supplementary Estimates (A), 2020-21. These estimates include more than $280 million to support health measures provided by Indigenous Services Canada in first nation and Inuit communities.

This is essential funding that will be used primarily to provide first nation and Inuit communities with the following: the services of additional health care providers; personal protective equipment; health infrastructure, in particular the repurposing of existing community spaces or the purchase of mobile structures to support isolation, assessment and shelter measures; and prevention and infection control measures at the community level.

In addition, these estimates reflect $305 million for the distinctions-based indigenous community support fund. Of this amount, $215 million was dedicated to first nations, $45 million to Inuit and $30 million to Métis nation communities, plus $15 million in proposal-based funding for first nations off reserve and urban indigenous organizations and communities.

An additional $75 million was also sought for organizations supporting first nations individuals off reserve and Inuit and Métis living in urban areas, as well as $10 million in funding for emergency, family violence prevention, shelters on reserve and in the Yukon.

As part of our COVID-19 response, we are also providing $270 million to respond to financial pressures on income assistance for essential living expenses due to COVID-19.

In addition to funding for our COVID-19 response, these estimates include funding to ensure that first nations children and families receive the services they need and to which they are entitled. We have committed $468.2 million to maintain the first nations child and family services program, which brings the program's total annual budget to $1.7 billion.

This includes support to implement the decisions by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal issued before September 2019 and connected to the complaint by first nations child and family services regarding child and family services and Jordan's principle; coverage of expected maintenance costs for service providers; operating costs for the new agencies; response to pressure from provincial agreements; and implementation of a reserve fund to ensure that money is available should the actual numbers call for reimbursement.

The Government of Canada is committed to implementing Jordan's principle and ensuring that first nations children have access to the products, services and support they need in the areas of health, social services and education.

The Government of Canada is committed to implementing Jordan's principle and is taking action to ensure that first nations children receive the products, services and support they need in health, social services and education. The supplementary estimates also include $230 million to respond to the year-long financial pressures arising from the implementation of Jordan's principle.

Every year since its implementation, Jordan's principle has led to a significant increase in the number of approved applications submitted by individuals and groups. As a result, associated spending has increased significantly.

Since 2016, the Government of Canada has adopted an interim approach to Jordan's principle that has allowed it to inject more than $1 billion to meet the needs of first nations children. We are determined to continue to meet those needs and work to keep our promise on implementing the principle.

To further safeguard food security in the north, our government has committed up to $25 million to support temporary enhancements to nutrition north Canada in these estimates. This funding will help ensure nutrition north Canada fulfills its mandate to improve access to healthy food through additional education and subsidies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We have also invested up to $72.6 million to address urgent health care and social support needs in the territories in response to COVID-19, with $18.4 million allocated to Yukon, $23.4 million to the Northwest Territories and $30.8 million to Nunavut. In addition, we have provided up to $17.3 million to enable the continuation of northern air services to support essential resupply and medical services in the north. We do recognize the essential role that a focused and reliable air network plays in enabling the movement of essential goods and services to respond to the pandemic. Funding has already been disbursed for the urgent health care and social support needs in the territories in response to COVID-19 and to enable the continuation of northern air service supporting essential resupply and medical services in the north.

We have also committed to a needs-based funding approach that involves $23.4 million in Vote 10 grants and contributions, including $9.9 million to support research and higher education in Canada's north; $6 million to support planning activities of the Government of the Northwest Territories, for the proposed Taltson hydroelectricity expansion project; $6 million to respond to the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and $1.5 million toward indigenous consultation and capacity support activities.

I thank members for the opportunity to speak about this crucial and important work. Meegwetch, nakurmiik, mahsi cho.

[Yves Robillard, Liberal, Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC]

Mr. Speaker, National Chief Bellegarde and countless other indigenous partners explained to the committee how indigenous youth are the segment of the population that is growing the fastest.

What measures is the government taking to ensure that indigenous youth have the supports they need to succeed in their education and career during the current pandemic and beyond?

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for that very relevant question.

Ever since our government took office in 2015, we have used our budgets to close the gap for indigenous peoples and their future, their youth, with respect to education and the economy. Indigenous youth are the fastest-growing segment of Canada's population, which means they are Canada's future.

This group of people is facing intense pressure because of COVID-19. That is why we have invested $75 million in post-secondary education during the pandemic. We have multiplied our efforts to support children who have to stay home. This is an ongoing effort.

We know this is putting pressure on young people's mental health. That is why we are continuing to invest resources in communities so they can make decisions about their future and the future of their youngest members.

[Anju Dhillon, Liberal, Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal determined that the Government of Canada's approach to services for first nations children was discriminatory. One way we are addressing this is through the full implementation of Jordan's principle.

Can the Minister of Indigenous Services please tell the House more about how new funding committed to Jordan's principle through these supplementary estimates will support its continued implementation?

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC]

Mr. Speaker, indeed, members will note that over $20 million are in the supplementary estimates that reflect the attribution of funds to fulfill this most important principle to closing the gap and ensuring equity for first nations children. The budgetary expenses are now at over $600 million.

Over and above, and more important than the number, we are speaking about children and the supports they need. I have been able to go into many communities, obviously prior to COVID-19 outbreak, and see some of the incredible work that is being done. That work continues. On equity, we are still working excessively hard to reach that by making those crucial investments. It is something we will continue to do year over year.

We have seen that increase particularly during COVID as to the needs and fulfilling Jordan's principle most notably. These investments help. Behind everyone is a child and it is very important to highlight that as we look at these large but crucial budgetary numbers in ensuring we are who we think we are in Canada.

[Anju Dhillon, Liberal, Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, QC]

Mr Speaker, we know that when indigenous communities move toward self-governance and self-determination, they have better outcomes across the board in terms of health, education and much more. Part of this involves supporting effective community governance in first nations.

How will the $24 million allocated to the band support program in these supplementary estimates help first nations move toward self-determination?

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC]

Madam Chair, this is again a crucial question. The responsibility obviously falls on the entirety of government, but it falls most notably in the ministry of the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations. In moving our relationship progressively forward with indigenous peoples, we have seen some of the challenges we have faced in the last two years in ensuring this will be done in the most respectful way, listening, engaging, speaking, acknowledging differences and moving forward despite those differences.

One of the measures the member has alluded to is the interim measure for band support, which is allocated in the estimates in the approximate amount of $24 million. This allows to bolster the cornerstones of community and nation building by attributing crucial funds to band governance.

[Anju Dhillon, Liberal, Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, QC]

Madam Chair, the estimates reflect the $305 million that was announced in March for the indigenous community support fund, which provided funds directly to indigenous communities to allow them to respond to COVID-19.

How specifically did this additional allocation allow communities to respond quickly and effectively?

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC]

Madam Chair, the preparation that the indigenous communities were able to do so well was not only to look at the patterns that were forming around the world, but to adapt their local communities quickly by closing communities, ensuring the supports were in the community to ensure the message of public health was getting across and that everyone had the financial support they needed. One of the key elements was getting money into the communities and ensuring they had the backing of the Government of Canada.

This distinctions-based funding of $305 million, which was very much the beginning of the discussion from a financial resources perspective, and indeed we have announced many after that, was key in ensuring communities had the flexibility and discretion to invest where they saw it fit and ensuring their communities were well protected and well prepared. We will ensure we will be there for second and third waves, as the case may be.

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Madam Chair, I will be splitting my time with the member for Saint-Jean.

First of all, I would like to say that I am pleased to rise in the House today. As some of my colleagues mentioned earlier, we are here not just to serve as the opposition but also to propose ideas. In a democratic institution, I would not want to see intellectual laziness, bad faith or partisanship, which are ultimately unproductive.

I would like to talk a little about my experience yesterday at the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, which has resumed its meetings. During that meeting, I could see the gaps in what is currently being provided. I was obviously aware of these gaps, but I will elaborate in my comments.

I often say that I am proud to be an MP because I represent people who have different lives and experiences. My riding is a remote region with natural resources, fisheries, seasonal work and mines, and it covers a vast area.

At present, the work of the House is suspended. We should not fool ourselves by claiming that the House is fully operational. Most of the work we should be doing is not getting done and this is not working. I will give you an example.

Yesterday, a witness from my riding was unable to appear before the committee because we are currently receiving witnesses virtually. Unfortunately, in part of my riding, which is roughly 50,000 square kilometres, people do not have access to high speed Internet and that is causing them a lot of problems. They are being denied the democratic right of being able to participate in the debate and present their own reality. That witness was unable to testify as a fisher from an area in eastern Quebec, a very isolated region where there are no roads or bridges and where everything is covered in snow in winter.

In thinking of those witnesses who speak in committee or who cannot come testify, I would have liked this budget to make mention of the Internet. We have been talking about it for years and we depend on it, as I see every day in my own work, and also in my riding. I would have liked the government to think about these people in remote communities, but also those who live near urban centres and who also do not have Internet access.

The majority of the additional funding that will be provided has to do with COVID-19. However, no matter how many waves are coming our way, pressing needs remain. We have to prepare for the future, which means being in tune with the present and having the necessary infrastructure.

I would have liked to hear that witness talk about another subject that is not mentioned in these estimates, namely seasonal workers. Those who know seasonal workers in the fishing, forestry or tourism industries know that these sectors have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is no mention of these workers, even if we have heard that there might be something for them and that it might go through employment insurance.

We do not know what tomorrow will bring and these people are concerned. They want to hear the government talking about this and to know what exactly is going to happen to them. I am very pleased that the CERB has been extended. I would have liked for it to be adapted like we asked in order to encourage people to return to work even if they are getting it.

Meanwhile, these people do not even know if they will have a job this summer because they depend on a seasonal industry. I would also like them to know that they will be able to make it through the year. I am not just talking about a few individuals here, even though that in itself would be good. I am talking about entire communities, an industry and a territory that all need to survive the coming years.

In my riding, some communities rely solely on the fishing industry. That is their only industry and they have the right to survive. People are worried right now and I would have liked to see the government talk about their situation and find an immediate solution.

Finally, in that same committee, we also talked about indigenous people. We just talked extensively about them. The minister talked about them, but they told me that they were not—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

Excuse me. I just wanted to let you know that you have been speaking for five minutes. You are entitled to two and a half minutes to ask questions unless your colleague does not use the five minutes for questions.

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Madam Chair, can we each have two and a half minutes? Is that possible? We are very fair.