Bernard Valcourt

[Business of Supply, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Chair, I would like to thank the member for Yukon for his good question. He referred to the Prime Minister's visit to Yellowknife on March 11 to announce that consensus had been reached on the terms for an agreement. This is indeed a historic accomplishment.

On the regulatory front, we will soon launch consultations on additional improvements, particularly in the Northwest Territories, where we want to ensure that an effective and efficient regulatory system for the benefit of all Northwest Territories residents is in place prior to the devolution of the responsibilities for the management of lands and resources to the Government of the Northwest Territories.

It is important that these regulatory regimes in the north work right to create the predictability and certainty needed to attract investment and create jobs in the north. This, of course, advances the objectives of the northern strategy and builds on our government's commitment to jobs, growth and long-term prosperity.

[Business of Supply, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Chair, the fact of the matter is that the numbers I have quoted come from the first nations' report, and again, there is no cut from the previous year in the assistance that will be given for housing units.

[Business of Supply, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Chair, this is, if not incorrect, misleading.

The fact of the matter is that between 2007 and 2012-13, our department provided approximately $1.2 billion in on-reserve housing support to first nations communities. According to the first nations' report, not ours, the Government of Canada's investments have contributed to an average of 1,750 new units and 3,100 renovations annually over the past five years.

Access to safe, sustainable and affordable housing is of course essential to improve economic and social circumstances and to support healthy, sustainable first nation communities. However, the fact of the matter is that the provision and management of housing on reserve lands is primarily the responsibility of first nations, with support from the Government of Canada, which we are providing.

[Business of Supply, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Chair, since the 2009 and 2011 national assessments, the percentage of first nation drinking water systems that have certified operators has increased from 51% to 60% and the percentage of waste water systems that have certified operators has increased from 42% to 54%.

If the member wants to give me more time, I could talk about the water systems and their risk levels, but I know my time is up.

[Business of Supply, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Chair, the fact is that the investment in water and waste water that has been made from 2006 to 2013-14 is over $1.3 billion. It is important to understand, and I know Liberals do not operate that way, that this investment is part of a comprehensive long-term plan to improve on reserve water and waste water founded on three pillars: enhanced capacity building and operator training; enforceable standards and protocols; and infrastructure investments.

I was in a community where the government had invested a lot of money on a system and it had no operator. We are now training these operators so these investments can be protected.

[Business of Supply, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Chair, I thought the member was going to congratulate me. I announced this week that we were going to spend a further $2 million for housing needs on Attawapiskat. Now she is trying to picture this as no efforts being made on our part.

If we look at the last budget, we committed to infrastructure investment in first nations communities all across Canada for the next 10 years at a rate that would see real progress in the infrastructure needs of first nations.

[Business of Supply, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Chair, these are the estimates of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, not justice.

[Business of Supply, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Chair, with her experience, the member should know the difference between cutting expenditures and/or a sunsetting program. There have been no cuts to this program. In fact, the budget has increased the amount of funding for this prevention program. As a result, we will be able to continue spending even more this year than last year.

[Business of Supply, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Chair, we will work diligently with all the parties. This is not just about the Government of Canada. This is an agreement to which there are many parties. It is court supervised and we alone cannot change the terms of a court settlement that is court approved. Maybe the member does not get that.

We will continue working to implement our obligations under the settlement agreement. We have committed to that.

[Business of Supply, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Chair, I have met twice, and no longer than two days ago, with Justice Sinclair and the other commissioners. When the member claims it needs more time, my discussions with the commission were with respect to implement the agreement that is court supervised. We are working together and I have committed to working with the commission to ensure that we fully respect the obligations of Canada under the settlement agreement that is court supervised. This is a continuing conversation and dialogue I will have with the commission in order to ensure the objective of the agreement is attained.