Jenica Atwin

[Ethics, December 11th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, again, the member knows that a business can be removed from the indigenous business directory for a whole host of reasons. We heard specific examples from witnesses who came forward to speak in committee, such as a status card expiring.

Again, there are some leaps being made here. The minister has also committed to an external audit of the program to encourage the ongoing improvement in collaboration with partners, as well as always listening to those indigenous leaders, not only when it benefits the narrative that they are trying to spin. The continued exclusion of indigenous people from our economy costs the Canadian economy $27.7 billion every year. The Indigenomics Institute projects that the indigenous economy has the potential to grow from $32 billion to $100 billion in the next five years.

When first nations, Inuit and Métis communities have access to economic opportunities, we all benefit, and that is what this program is about. It seems that we all agree that such initiatives as the 5% minimum target are important and worth protecting. As I already said, we will continue to improve and support the program, to make sure it is delivering for first nations, Inuit and Métis businesses and communities.

[Ethics, December 11th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, I acknowledge that we are on the unceded traditional territory of the Algonquin and Anishinabe people tonight.

Here we are again. It is truly incredible that the member would suggest he supports indigenous people the day after every single MP in his caucus voted against essential funding for indigenous health care, housing, school food and school infrastructure, including two schools in my home province of New Brunswick. Earlier last week, his party blocked the first nations clean water act from moving forward to the Senate. We will take no lessons from Conservatives when it comes to standing up for indigenous people.

Many allegations are being made in the House that have not been backed up. Specifically, I would like to address the issue of the member for Edmonton Centre. The company in question was never listed on the indigenous business directory. I want to be crystal clear about what this means. It means that the company has never been part of the government's procurement strategy for indigenous businesses. The company was not awarded any contracts through the procurement strategy for indigenous businesses.

The member has spent hours at the government operations committee hearing about this program. I would think it would be well understood by now, but here we are again.

I will say that relevant concerns have been raised in our committee work, and I will point out that, if a problem is suspected with the supplier's business integrity, the case can be referred to Public Services and Procurement Canada to be assessed. Based on the assessment of each situation's specific circumstances, PSPC may then take steps to suspend or debar the supplier from future contracts awarded by the Government of Canada, and rightly so.

It is most important to note the good this program has done, as well as that it is supported by indigenous leaders and has benefited many indigenous businesses across the country. The member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan also heard about this yesterday at the indigenous and northern affairs committee, where witnesses such as Brian Doxtator, an entrepreneur and member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, told the member how a joint venture allowed his business to grow and create more jobs for indigenous people. Specifically, this was with a non-indigenous company.

Fundamentally, these programs are a building block toward economic reconciliation, which is a cornerstone of supporting strong, healthy indigenous communities. The procurement strategy is a catalyst for forging long-term relationships that help businesses build capacity and achieve self-sufficiency. Involving indigenous businesses in the supply chain creates a wealth of opportunities that often stay in their home communities. This, in turn, supports local economic development, helps to develop employment opportunities and skill building, and generates revenue; all of this can help support the preservation of indigenous cultures.

Indigenous leaders have told us that they support the program and that they want it to stay. Moving forward, we will work with indigenous partners to ensure ongoing improvements of the program.

[Women in the Canadian Armed Forces, December 11th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, now, more than ever, the Canadian Armed Forces need women. Not only do we need to recruit more talented, dedicated women to serve our country, but we also need to retain those we already have.

Unfortunately, thousands of CAF members experience sexual assault in the military each year, and women are at the highest risk. Of the sexual assaults in our military, 80% go unreported because the survivors do not believe speaking up will make a difference.

We must call out the underlying rape culture and act urgently to change it. Bill C-66 introduces changes to the National Defence Act and places investigations of sexual misconduct outside the chain of command and into the public system. It is a start, but it is not enough. Survivors have felt invisible for far too long. I will keep fighting for their voices to be heard.

I will end with an excerpt of a poem written by my constituent, a survivor and a veteran, describing her experience of living with this trauma. It reads:

It was only one night. Move on, let it go. Forgive and heal is what you say, but for me it has been 10,220 days
10,220 days of losing my career, my ability to hold a job, my health, my self-esteem, my hope
10,220 days stolen
But yes, you're right, it was only one night.

This has to stop.

[Questions on the Order Paper, December 9th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, for specific information on the status of water infrastructure in First Nations, the best source of information would be the First Nations themselves.

As of October 31, 2024, there are no long-term or short-term drinking water advisories affecting public water systems on-reserve in Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation. The last long-term drinking water advisory affecting public water systems on-reserves in Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation was lifted in December 2017.

As of October 31, 2024, there are no long-term or short-term drinking water advisories affecting public water systems on-reserve in Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation.

[Gender-Based Violence, December 6th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, today marks the 35th anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre. I would like to take a moment to reflect on the 14 young women who were tragically murdered by a man who hated them simply for being women, women who had the audacity to pursue their educations. They were aunties, mothers, sisters, daughters and friends, and, 35 years ago, misogyny stole the lives of these intelligent, talented, beautiful women.

Violence against women has continued in Canada every day since. We see it in the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, where the rate of homicide against indigenous women is six times higher than the rate among non-indigenous women. We see it in the steadily rising rates of intimate partner violence, where four out of five victims are women. We see it on our social media, where men fill the comment sections with taunts of “your body, my choice”.

Many MPs have spoken in this chamber on this topic, yet the epidemic of violence against women rages on. Anti-feminist movements are on the rise globally, and we must state unequivocally that this hatred has no place in Canada.

Now, more than ever, we must take urgent action against misogyny and stand together in support of women and girls.

I remember.

[Privilege, December 5th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, I certainly have a ton of respect for my hon. colleague, and we will miss her in this place when she decides to retire. She mentioned the anxious generation. I too am very worried about this generation and, moving forward, its prospects; however, a big missing piece was its concerns about the environment. That is what I hear about a lot in my riding from constituents.

I know that the Conservatives want to end the carbon pricing mechanism, which is actually the most cost-effective way to bring down emissions. We would lose the rebates as well, but then what? I really would love to know what is in store for an environmental plan for this country. Should we end what we have been doing to lower emissions? What kind of hope will that offer for the next generation?

[Business of Supply, December 5th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, the member mentioned political games. I know we are in minority Parliament status. It is all I have ever known as a member of the House, which some might say is dysfunctional by nature, but there have been moments when we have been able to work together, collaborate and put the best interests of Canadians at the forefront.

How much have the Conservative games in the House cost Canadians while their Parliament has been frozen?

[Committees of the House, December 5th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I am rising on a point of order because I believe when the member for Sydney—Victoria was raising his point of order there may have been filming taking place in the chamber. I wonder if you could take the opportunity to remind all members that when the mace is on the table, that is unacceptable.

[Public Services and Procurement, December 4th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, while I appreciate the Conservatives' new-found concern with issues affecting indigenous people, I really wish it was sincere. The Conservatives have not committed to continuing that 5% indigenous procurement target. In fact, they appear intent on sabotaging the success of this initiative to justify cutting it, if ever given the chance. Indigenous people, businesses and entrepreneurs should take note.

I will also highlight that outside of recent questions around the indigenous business directory, I have not heard the member, his party or his leader ask about missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, indigenous policing, systemic racism in health care, Joyce's principle, child and family welfare reforms, or anything related to actual reconciliation efforts.

Indigenous people are not puppets in the Conservatives' agenda. They deserve respect. They deserve authentic action on issues that impact them and their communities. They deserve better than this disingenuous display tonight.

[Public Services and Procurement, December 4th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, I first want to acknowledge that we are gathered on the unceded traditional territory of the Anishinabe and Algonquin people.

Indigenous procurement programs are in place because the Government of Canada is taking action to right past wrongs and move forward to advance, among other avenues, economic reconciliation. I will take a moment to explain how the program works and what it accomplishes. The procurement strategy for indigenous businesses limits bidding in federal procurement processes to registered indigenous businesses. By limiting bidding to businesses that are at least 51% indigenous owned and controlled, the government is creating more opportunities and access for these businesses.

There are huge opportunities for growth and economic development. The Indigenomics Institute estimates that the indigenous economy has the potential to grow from $32 billion to $100 billion in the next five years. The mandatory minimum 5% indigenous procurement target requires that at least 5% of the value of federal contracts is awarded to indigenous businesses. This ensures that procurement officers are considering indigenous businesses when procuring goods and services like office equipment, engineering services, technology and transportation, and the list goes on. These programs help indigenous businesses win contracts, generate revenue, gain experience and build networks, and all of this can be leveraged to win larger contracts with both public and private industry.

Indigenous procurement programs are a step toward making sure that indigenous people have equitable access to economic success and self-generated wealth. Simply put, these programs move the needle. In 2022-23, which is the most recent year we have data for, more than 300 indigenous businesses won contracts with a value of at least $10,000 through the procurement strategy for indigenous businesses.

As a government, we understand that listening to indigenous people and acting on their advice leads to optimal outcomes. As we have heard from so many indigenous partners, these programs create opportunities and they are an essential part of economic reconciliation. Indigenous leaders have also been clear that these kinds of procurement programs should stay. Unfortunately, Conservatives have refused to say if they support that 5% minimum procurement target.

In 2021, the Liberals began a five-year process to engage partners and co-develop a transformative indigenous procurement strategy to improve existing indigenous procurement policies and programs. As part of this work, partners around the table, including the Assembly of First Nations, ITK, the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association and the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, have all been clear that indigenous people must be the ones determining who qualifies as an indigenous business.

The government wholly agrees and we are focused on collaboratively determining a path forward to transfer the administration of the indigenous business directory to indigenous partners. While we work toward this transfer and the co-development of a transformative indigenous procurement strategy, we will continue to diligently manage the directory, and support these vital and meaningful programs.