House of Commons Hansard #370 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was conservative.
Anita Anand LiberalPresident of the Treasury Board and Minister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the supplementary estimates (B), 2024-25.
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8)(a), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 37 petitions. These returns will be tabled in an electronic format.
Jamie Schmale Conservative Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON
Madam Speaker, I move that the second report of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs, presented on Monday, April 25, 2022, be concurred in.
I thank the member for Sarnia—Lambton for being the seconder on this motion, as well as the member for Battle River—Crowfoot who was right there.
This is an important issue. The second report of Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs is entitled, “Barriers to Economic Development in Indigenous Communities” and it was tabled back in April 2022.
The report's study highlights the ongoing challenges faced by indigenous peoples in Canada in achieving economic development, despite their right to self-determination. First nations, Inuit and Métis communities continue to experience significant socio-economic disparities when compared with non-indigenous people. This includes lower incomes, education levels, employment rates and property values.
The committee concluded that these disparities are largely the result of historical and systemic inequalities further exacerbated by federal policies and regulations.
In February 2022, the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs initiated a study aimed at identifying the barriers to indigenous economic development and exploring ways to eliminate them. Addressing these barriers could not only enhance outcomes for indigenous communities, but also contribute significantly to Canada's economy, potentially adding $30 billion to the national GDP by closing the socio-economic gap between indigenous and non-indigenous populations.
Witnesses to the study identified several critical barriers to indigenous economic development, including limited access to capital, inadequate infrastructure and, in some cases, a lack of capacity. These challenges are deeply rooted in the history of colonialism and the ongoing failure to fully recognize indigenous jurisdiction. While many—
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order.
I would ask for the unanimous consent of the House for my vote to count. I was unable to vote the last time.
The Assistant Deputy Speaker NDP Carol Hughes
Does the House agree to allow the hon. member's vote to count?
Indigenous and Northern AffairsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Some hon. members
No.
Jamie Schmale Conservative Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON
Madam Speaker, as I stated, several witnesses to this study identified several critical barriers to indigenous economic independence and development. We are talking about the issues of limited access to capital, inadequate infrastructure and, in some cases, lack of capacity. Of course, we go on to say that many indigenous communities are already working on their own solutions to these issues and they require further supports from the Government of Canada.
Indigenous peoples have long been excluded from key decision-making processes, which has hindered their ability to fully participate in economic development. Clarence T. Jules, otherwise known as Manny Jules to many, chief commissioner of the First Nations Tax Commission, pointed out that indigenous peoples have lost control over their fiscal powers and lands as a result of these historical exclusions. Infrastructure is essential for driving indigenous economic development, serving as a backbone of a functional economy.
Before I continue on with the reports, I would like to remind people that I am splitting my time with the hon. member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan.
Experts such as Clint Davis from Nunasi Corporation and Ernie Daniels of the First Nations Finance Authority have underscored the importance of closing the significant infrastructure gap, estimated at about $30 billion, between first nations and other Canadian communities. The Nunavut infrastructure gap report, for example, highlights critical shortages in water, housing, broadband and energy systems. The overall infrastructure gap for indigenous communities there could be as high as $70 billion.
Housing, of course, is another urgent issue. Shannin Metatawabin from the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association has proposed the creation of an indigenous housing fund in partnership with aboriginal financial institutions. This fund would help secure financing for housing in indigenous communities.
Similarly, Grand Chief Jerry Daniels of the Southern Chiefs' Organization Inc. recommended offering long-term loan guarantees to support capital projects, including housing initiatives. To help bridge the infrastructure gap, Daniels has suggested exploring monetization as a funding approach. This method, commonly used by municipalities to finance projects, involves issuing debentures to raise capital for infrastructure and economic development. Daniels also proposed a pilot project to replace diesel generation in remote communities potentially funded through this model. This approach could not only reduce dependence on federal funding, but also provide a sustainable, clean energy solution while testing innovative financing strategies at a minimal cost to the government.
The committee was informed that administrative obstacles pose significant challenges to indigenous economic development, especially when it comes to accessing public funding. Witnesses highlighted issues such as time-consuming and repetitive processes of submitting applications, as well as confusion around program eligibility requirements. To address these challenges, Harold Calla from the First Nations Financial Management Board proposed a pilot project aimed at streamlining administrative functions for smaller communities. Some of those smaller communities can lack the resources to manage such tasks efficiently.
Furthermore, Tabatha Bull from the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business recommended the creation of a navigator position to assist indigenous businesses in navigating government programs and grant applications. This role would help entrepreneurs identify relevant funding opportunities and support a need that has been frequently emphasized by indigenous business owners.
Witnesses also emphasized that the current funding for indigenous economic development is inadequate and often lacks the structure needed to foster long-term growth. Regional Chief Teegee called for a shift away from short-term program funding, advocating for more substantial and predictable financial support, particularly for areas like first nations policing. He stressed that this approach would also be extended to economic development initiatives.
Access to capital and equity was identified as another key barrier to indigenous economic progress.
Grand Chief Daniels of the Southern Chiefs' Organization highlighted that, without equity, indigenous communities face significant challenges in launching and sustaining wealth-building ventures. Securing capital, particularly for large-scale projects in sectors like energy, mining and agriculture, remains difficult due to historical disadvantages and bureaucratic obstacles. Chief Commissioner Manny Jules pointed out that indigenous peoples face a $175-billion gap in access to capital. Several leaders also underscored the mutual benefits of improving access to capital.
Mr. Metatawabin announced that indigenous communities represent profitable investment opportunities. Although progress has been made, such as through impact benefit agreements, communities still encounter financial barriers that prevent full participation in major projects. Traditional lenders are unwilling to finance equity, leaving communities either unstable or unable to secure necessary funds or forced to accept costly, unfavourable terms.
Several witnesses emphasized the need to increase indigenous participation in public procurement and highlighted the ongoing barriers to achieving this very goal. In April 2022, the Minister of Indigenous Services announced that 32 federal departments would be required to allocate at least 5% of federal contracts to indigenous-owned, indigenous-led businesses.
However, since then, the program has faced significant shortcomings. There have been reports of companies and individuals exploiting the procurement strategy for indigenous businesses, falsely claiming indigenous status in order to secure contracts. Some have even gone so far as to submit fraudulent documents, such as a picture of a rabbit, to qualify for the program.
A particularly troubling issue involves the employment minister's past business dealings, specifically his connection to Global Health Imports. The company, co-owned by the employment minister, falsely represented itself as a wholly indigenous-owned business in order to obtain government contracts through Canada's indigenous procurement programs, programs designed to benefit indigenous communities. Such misrepresentation undermines the very purpose of the programs, which are intended to support indigenous peoples and businesses.
I could go on, but I will just wrap up by saying that there are many examples of indigenous entrepreneurship and initiative. Conservatives are inspired by their vision and their drive. A future Conservative government will partner with indigenous communities to realize their aspirations, and we will be laser-focused in fostering economic growth and creating opportunities for indigenous communities.
Indigenous and Northern AffairsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Winnipeg North Manitoba
Liberal
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Madam Speaker, there are many, many different reports, well over 100 reports that the member could actually call up for a concurrence debate. I would ultimately argue that this is just a carry-on of the multi-million dollar game that the Conservatives continue to play to prevent the House from being able to debate legislation, have opposition days and so forth.
Can the hon member identify why it is that they have decided, as I believe that it has been on the books for quite a while now, to call up this particular report?
Jamie Schmale Conservative Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON
Madam Speaker, I would not call indigenous entrepreneurship and the struggles indigenous people are having accessing government programs a game. I am simply reminding the government that indigenous peoples have long been excluded from key decision-making events. An indigenous procurement program, which is supposed to uplift and benefit indigenous businesses, is now being taken advantage of, or at least it seems that way, by the Liberal employment minister, who checked off a box claiming to be indigenous but with no real evidence to even back that up. In fact, even in his own words, he claims he is not indigenous.
Again, there is no shame on that side of the aisle, where the Liberals would rather push down indigenous-owned businesses and indigenous people in order to enrich themselves.
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
Madam Speaker, one of the issues we have dealt with in the northern Treaty 9 region is the incredible inequity faced in the communities themselves. In Attawapiskat, people are literally living almost on top of each other. There are no other communities up there except the Cree, yet the federal government and the provincial government of Doug Ford just refused to sit down to talk about a reserve extension.
However, when De Beers went up to open a diamond mine, all the permitting happened very quickly. What ended up happening was that there was within the community a sense that if the company was coming simply to extract the resources, the government was willing to come to the table. However, when there were basic issues like housing and the right to expand the reserves so we could build livable communities, neither the province, particularly Doug Ford, nor the federal government has come to the table. There are now lawsuits saying that they are going to stop economic development until they get those basic issues of inequity dealt with.
Jamie Schmale Conservative Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON
Madam Speaker, the member for Timmins—James Bay fails to recognize the fact that the chief and the band of Attawapiskat are asking for long-term funding commitments. I actually met with the chief of Attawapiskat not too long ago, and she was pointing out that with long-term predictable funding, they could use some of the programs like the First Nations Financial Management Board, the First Nations Finance Authority and others to address their infrastructure gap and the needs that the member opposite talked about, like housing. The list goes on.
Unfortunately, the member continues to forget that he is a member of a federal Parliament and that actually the federal Liberals are the government he continues to prop up, despite the fact that the long-term predictable funding, which Attawapiskat is asking for, is not being addressed. He should actually figure out where his priorities lie, in my opinion.
Andréanne Larouche Bloc Shefford, QC
Madam Speaker, the discussion we are having this afternoon is very interesting.
At the Standing Committee on the Status of Women, we carried out a study on women's economic empowerment. We are trying to find ways to help indigenous women take better control of their lives. However, we are seeing that there are many barriers related to this and other issues because of the Indian Act, which hinders some businesses.
To help lift indigenous women and girls out of poverty and violence, we need to empower them economically. I would like to hear my colleague's comments on this very specific aspect of the issue. How can we help more indigenous women become business owners and become economically empowered?
Jamie Schmale Conservative Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON
Madam Speaker, I do agree that the Indian Act is a horrible piece of legislation, and I think we need to find ways to free up indigenous communities or first nations communities from the Indian Act.
I have talked about access to capital and getting the Ottawa-knows-best attitude out of the way so indigenous people can thrive and prosper without asking for money back, in some cases from Ottawa, money that is taken out of their community, so they can start or enhance programs like economic development or infrastructure. The list goes on.
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Madam Speaker, at this point there can be very little doubt that the Liberal Minister of Employment, who is the member for Edmonton Centre and Alberta's only member of the Liberal cabinet, willfully pretended to be indigenous. He should not be in cabinet. Of course, I know there are slim pickings among Alberta Liberals. They are either with the pretender or with the porch pirate, but the minister certainly should be out of cabinet.
As a consequence of his pretense, the company that he co-owned also pretended to be indigenous-owned, and this pretense was used to advance the minister's political image and potentially to advance his private commercial interests as well. Now that he has been found out, the minister should offer a more fulsome and sincere apology than the one he offered on Friday, and he should resign or be removed from cabinet.
There is an Instagram post that the Liberal Party put out in 2016, one of many examples of things published at the time and since, that makes very clear how the minister was being positioned. The post in question proudly highlights that apparently the Liberals had elected the largest number of indigenous MPs ever and includes a picture that shows the indigenous Liberal caucus, photos of nine MPs, one of whom is the current Minister of Employment.
The minister has most recently claimed that he participated in the activities of the indigenous Liberal caucus but only as an ally. In other words, he says he never pretended to be indigenous; he just happened to be the one and only white guy who happened to be invited to an organization that identified as the indigenous Liberal caucus. Obviously, that does not pass a pretty basic smell test.
There is a post saying that the Liberals had elected a significant number of indigenous MPs. It is accompanied by a collection of photos of MPs. That would surely be designed to give the impression that those MPs are indigenous. Why in the world would the minister be the one white guy in an otherwise all-indigenous club that was repeatedly publicly identified as in an all-indigenous club, unless he was trying to create the impression that he was indigenous?
However, we do not even need Liberal Party social media posts in order to see the problem; let us look at the minister's own words in the House. In 2016, he described himself as an “adopted Cree”. In 2018, he switched to calling himself a “non-status adopted Cree” and a “member of the indigenous caucus”. As recently as a year ago, the minister told the House that his Cree name means “strong eagle man”. There can surely be no doubt what this was supposed to convey, even as he was also talking about Métis family members and admitting, alternatively, that he was neither.
The thing is that in listening to the minister's damage control now, he sounds a lot like the Prime Minister. When pressed on the point of misidentification, at a press conference on Friday, he said that on the one hand, the Liberal Party had misunderstood, that he apologized if anyone was confused and that he is learning about his family history in real time. He did not at any point actually admit wrongdoing. He later said he was going to continue the journey and will share this journey with Canadians as he continues down that path.
The minister sounded much like a Prime Minister, who thought a groping scandal was just a matter of someone experiencing things differently and who thought his own repeated wearing of racist costumes was a learning opportunity for the rest of us. The minister says he is on a journey, but actually I think the journey that most people want the minister to take is first to the backbenches and then out of Parliament entirely.
Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings
York South—Weston Ontario
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen LiberalMinister of International Development
Madam Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 3003, 3010, 3019, 3024, 3026, 3031, 3033 and 3036.
Karen Vecchio Conservative Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON
With regard to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and the cost of raising a child in Canada: (a) what is the benchmark used within ESDC regarding the minimum cost of raising a child in Canada, broken down by the (i) age, (ii) province or territory of residence, of the child; (b) where does the benchmark in (a) originate; (c) how often is the benchmark updated; and (d) what formula is used to determine the benchmark?
Élisabeth Brière LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families
Mr. Speaker, Employment and Social Development Canada, ESDC, does not use a benchmark as there is currently no officially recognized benchmark for the minimum cost of raising a child in Canada. Most analytical approaches that examine the cost of raising children focus on direct or out-of-pocket costs.
A 2023 study from Statistics Canada examined pooled data from the survey of household spending, SHS, for the period of 2014-17 to provide Canada-level estimates on child expenditures that account for children aged 0 to 22 years who live at home. The results from this study indicated as follows. A two-parent, middle-income family with two children spends about $293,000, on average, from birth to age 17, an average of $17,235 per year, raising a child. Two-parent families with two children and an annual income of more than $135,790 spent on average $403,910 per child from birth to age 17. The same sized family making less than $83,013, by comparison, spent on average 52% less per child, or $238,190. One-parent families with two children and an annual average income of less than $83,013 spent on average $231,260 per child from birth to age 17, while those making $83,013 or more spent $372,110 per child. When adult children aged 18 to 22 living with their parent or parents are considered, the overall amount spent rises by almost one-third, or 29%, for both single- and two-parent families.
Rick Perkins Conservative South Shore—St. Margarets, NS
With regard to the announcement made by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry on June 6, 2024, that effective immediately Sustainable Development Technology Canada funding would resume under reinforced contribution agreements with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED): for each agreement, what (i) is the name of the company with which it was signed, (ii) is the name of the project that is receiving funding, (iii) is the projected environmental benefit that is expected from the project, (iv) is the projected emission reduction that is expected from the project, (v) is the total cost of the project, (vi) is the total amount of funding announced, (vii) is the total amount of funding distributed thus far, (viii) is the total amount of funding received for the project from other granting agencies managed by ISED, (ix) are the criteria considered to be eligible for a project?
Question No.3010—Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings
Saint-Maurice—Champlain Québec
Liberal
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Innovation
Mr. Speaker, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, ISED, maintains a single reinforced contribution agreement, CA, with the Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology, SDTC, due to the arm’s-length nature of the organization. SDTC was set up by Parliament to deliver funding to eligible recipients under a further distribution of a contribution funding model, and as such, ISED is not a party to the funding agreements between SDTC and ultimate recipients, that is, clean technology companies.
ISED has a CA with SDTC for the SD tech fund. The goal of the SD tech fund is to advance clean technology innovation in Canada, specifically by funding and supporting technology projects at the pre-commercial development and demonstration stages. SD tech fund funding is distributed to projects named in individual funding agreements that SDTC maintains with project proponents.
As per the CA, the two main objectives of the SD tech fund are to contribute to achieving Canada’s environmental objectives, including greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, and contribute to Canada’s sustainable economic growth by enabling Canadian entities to compete globally in the clean technology sector.
ISED’s CA with SDTC does not include projected emission reductions expected from individual projects funded under the SD tech fund.
The federal contribution to the SD tech fund under the reinforced contribution agreement for 2021-26 totals $547,621,802, inclusive of the amounts already disbursed to SDTC.
Since 2001, funding announced for the SD tech fund has totalled $2.1 billion and is as follows: $100 million over five years in 2001, $250 million over five years in 2004, $200 million over five years in 2005, $40 million over two years in 2011, $325 million over five years in 2013, $50 million over four years in 2016, $400 million over five years in 2017 and $750 million over five years in 2020, not all of which has been disbursed.
Since its inception, the Government of Canada has disbursed $1,476,941,199 to SDTC.
Federal funding for the SD tech fund does not include funding from other granting agencies managed by ISED.
Project eligibility criteria for the SD tech fund, as outlined in ISED’s CA with SDTC, include projects carried on or primarily carried on in Canada by an ultimate recipient to develop and demonstrate new technologies to promote sustainable development, such as technologies related to energy end-use in sectors such as transportation and buildings; technologies related to capture and storage, utilization and storage and more efficient technologies shown to result in a net reduction in greenhouses gases; technologies related to renewable energy and low-carbon fuel production and related technologies; greenhouse gas emissions reduction technologies related to areas other than energy production and use; air quality improvement technologies; enabling or crosscutting technologies, including sensors and controls, energy efficiency, monitoring and data-enabled solutions; water quality and quantity improvement technologies, including wastewater treatment technologies and water conservation technologies; waste management technologies, including those designed to prevent, reduce or eliminate solid waste generation or discharge, as well as materials recovery processes; soil quality improvement technologies, including the remediation of contaminants in soil and sediments; technologies related to the protection, management and restoration of natural systems; technologies related to sustainable agriculture and food production, such as precision agriculture, regenerative agriculture, indoor farming and alternative protein production; and front end development work, associated with technologies listed above, that will lead to final investment decisions for high capital-intensive projects.
Tako Van Popta Conservative Langley—Aldergrove, BC
With regard to the Lytton Homeowner Resilient Rebuild Program: (a) how much money has been distributed through the program to date; (b) how many recipients have received funding through the program; (c) what was the average payment amount received; and (d) how many applications have been received to date?
Harjit S. Sajjan LiberalPresident of the King's Privy Council for Canada
Mr. Speaker, with regard to part (a), for the Lytton homeowner resilient rebuild program, Pacific Economic Development Canada, or PacifiCan, distributed $5,000 between May 31, 2023, and September 27, 2024. To receive the fire-resilient or fire-resilient and net-zero homes grants, the homeowner is required to complete home construction and meet all stated program requirements. As of September 27, 2024, two recipients were in the process of home rebuilding but had not yet achieved the requirement of completing home construction.
With regard to part (b), as of September 27, 2024, a total amount of $477,856 has been committed toward six recipients.
With regard to part (c), the average payment to participants is $5,000 as of September 27, 2024. The average is expected to be $79,643 once grants are distributed.
With regard to part (d), as of September 27, 2024, PacifiCan received seven applications. The program will continue to accept applications until March 31, 2026, to help ensure as many eligible homeowners as possible can access the program on their rebuild timelines.
Lori Idlout NDP Nunavut, NU
With regard to the Indigenous Health Equity Fund for fiscal year 2024-25: (a) what are the details of all distinctions-based funding supports delivered to First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, including the (i) name of the community or Nation, (ii) amount of funding delivered, (iii) program authority under which the funding was authorized; (b) what is the total number of applications for distinctions-based funding that were (i) received, (ii) approved, (iii) denied; (c) what are the details of all targeted initiatives that received funding, including the (i) community or organization name, (ii) amount of funding delivered or approved, (iii) initiative or approach funded; and (d) what is the total number of applications for targeted initiatives that were (i) received, (ii) approved, (iii) denied?
Question No.3024—Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings
Fredericton New Brunswick
Liberal
Jenica Atwin LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services
Mr. Speaker, starting in 2024-25, the Government of Canada is providing $2 billion over 10 years, or $200 million annually, through the indigenous health equity fund in support of indigenous-led approaches to increase access to quality and culturally safe health care services. Since it was announced in 2023-24, Indigenous Services Canada, ISC, has been working with first nations, Inuit and Métis partners on its design and implementation. As a result, this funding has two components. First, there is distinctions-based funding, which means long-term, predictable and flexible support for first nations, Inuit and Métis health priorities, at approximately $190 million annually. Second, there is targeted initiatives funding, which means short-term support to indigenous organizations for innovative, activity-driven and crosscutting indigenous health priorities, at approximately $10 million annually.
With respect to distinctions-based funding, this funding support is being distributed annually as follows: $142.5 million for first nations, $28.5 million for Inuit and $19 million for Métis. For first nations, funding is being distributed on the basis of population, with adjustments for community size and remoteness. For Inuit, allocations to the four Inuit treaty organizations are being provided as per the direction of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami’s board of directors, which is consistent with the Inuit Nunangat policy. For Métis, allocations to the Manitoba Métis Federation and current governing members of the Métis National Council are being provided as per their historical resolution on funding distribution.
With respect to implementation, it is important to note that the administration of funding is shared between ISC and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, with the former responsible for the distribution of funding to first nations and administration of the targeted initiatives program, and with the latter responsible for the distribution of funding to modern treaty and self-governing first nations, Inuit and Métis. While funding is currently in the process of being distributed to some partners, both departments are continuing to have discussions with regional indigenous leadership on how best to distribute this funding to their communities, which is respecting the principle of indigenous self-determination. Once these discussions conclude, funding will be fully transferred pending receipt of their implementation plans, which will provide both departments a sense of their priorities in health.
With respect to targeted initiatives, the program launched a call for proposal process on June 3, 2024. The deadline for submissions was July 31, 2024. Through this process, the program received nearly 60 proposals totalling more than $24 million. The department is finalizing its review, and decisions on funding are expected by the end of October. As a result, it would be premature to provide information on who submitted plans at this point in time. More information on specific projects that will be funded under this program will be forthcoming once decisions are finalized and communicated respectively with indigenous organizations.
John Barlow Conservative Foothills, AB
With regard to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriScience Program Clusters Component, broken down by year for each of the last ten fiscal years: (a) which organizations applied for funding through the program; and (b) how much was (i) requested, (ii) received, by each organization in (a)?