Jenica Atwin

[Powwows, June 4th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, June is National Indigenous History Month. On June 21, we observe National Indigenous Peoples Day across the country, with celebrations and cultural showcases from coast to coast to coast. It is also the kick-off to summer, and that means powwow season.

I want to congratulate students from Fredericton High School and Leo Hayes High School who worked tirelessly to plan and organize highly successful events, bringing together drum groups, dancers, knowledge keepers and, of course, delicious food to share vibrant Wolastoqiyik culture with their fellow students and staff. It was Fredericton High School's first of its kind, and it will not be the last.

For anyone who has not had the pleasure of attending a powwow, expect to see beautiful cultural expressions and hear the heartbeat of mother earth, laughter and learning. It is truly a spectacle to behold, and I look forward to travelling the powwow trail in New Brunswick with my family.

For all the amazing powwow committees, as well as chiefs and councils across Turtle Island, wela'lin for all of their hard work and dedication and for bringing this important tradition to their communities and surrounding regions each year.

From a time in Canada when critical gatherings like this were outlawed, we fast-forward to today, when all are welcome as we continue our path towards reconciliation.

[Questions on the Order Paper, May 31st, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to government contracts for dentistry services with Indigenous Services Canada or ISC, ISC does not systematically track this information in a centralized repository.

ISC undertook an extensive preliminary search in order to determine the amount of information that would fall within the scope of the question and the amount of time that would be required to prepare a comprehensive response.

The information requested is not systematically tracked in a centralized database, and producing a comprehensive response to this question would require a manual collection of information that is not possible in the time allotted and could lead to the disclosure of incomplete and misleading information.

[Indigenous Affairs, May 24th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, for years, we have been working with WAHA and the communities it serves to shape the future of health care delivery. Conversations are ongoing with all partners as every level of government has a role to play to ensure health care for remote communities. From Toronto to Kenora to Moosonee, everyone deserves quality health care, regardless of who or where they are. We will keep working with Ontario and with WAHA to find a path forward.

[Northern Affairs, May 24th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, we know that it is unacceptable to have any communities without access to clean drinking water in this country. We have worked really hard, for the first time in our government's history, to put forward record investments around this.

Right now, there are 28 existing long-term drinking water advisories, and we have a project under way for every single one of them. We have already lifted 144 long-term drinking water advisories since 2015. About 96% of first nations still have access to their clean water, and we are going to make sure that it stays that way.

Particularly, for the north, where there are ongoing challenges specific to that region, we are going to make sure we work with them to find an indigenous-led, Inuit-led solution to this problem.

[Business of Supply, May 23rd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague talked previously about the major challenges Canadians are facing across this country, including some things we have never seen before, or at least with some of the highest numbers in some of those measurables. In that vein, I think that Canadians are looking for us to work together with provinces and territories.

Of course, it is really about a team Canada approach to these major challenges that we are facing. Could the member speak to that?

[The Environment, May 23rd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, what is happening at Grassy Narrows is a tragedy, and all levels of government need to do better. Indigenous Services Canada is supporting several projects that will help meet the needs of the community without leaving home. Budget 2024 also provides an additional $57.5 million for the construction of a mercury care home.

The ongoing calamity and tragedy at Grassy Narrows is a reminder of what happens if we do not protect our water sources from pollution. That is also why we introduced the first nations clean water act, which would make sure first nations have tools to protect their water sources, and hold polluters accountable.

[Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023, May 21st, 2024]

Madam Speaker, I greatly thank my colleague for his rousing speech this evening.

I am sure this is on the minds of all members in this chamber: When will the member treat us to another homemade rap video? I would really love to see that.

[Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023, May 21st, 2024]

Madam Speaker, the member for Saskatoon—University signalled the presence or non-presence of a member in the House, and he is not allowed to do that.

[Budget Implementation Act, 2024, No. 1, May 21st, 2024]

Madam Speaker, I am always grateful to NDP members for bringing up indigenous issues because it seems to be a priority for them and not so much for the other parties in the House.

I have absolutely looked into that issue. There is very much a conversation happening with provincial authorities as well. In my role as Parliamentary Secretary, I have really leaned into wanting to create equity across that system, looking at what non-status looks like, looking at ensuring that those who are disenfranchised are then brought into the system and looking at the second generation cut-off, which is another piece of this. It is incumbent upon us to look across the entire system and to make sure, especially for those in British Columbia who are dealing with this immediate challenge, that their needs are also met.

I will continue to work with this member off-line and with our department as well because I know it is really important.

[Budget Implementation Act, 2024, No. 1, May 21st, 2024]

Madam Speaker, I thank the member for that question because it very much illustrates the point I was trying to make; continuing to tear down Canada is not serving anyone. It is not serving the House either. I am sure he did not listen to my speech because I certainly did not paint this perfect picture of Canada. What we are doing with the budget implementation act is building what we want to see for the future. It is setting up that green economy. It is setting up affordable housing for all. This is what the budget is about, making those plans and implementing them.

I will say that when I have conversations with community members in my riding, they are very much focused on the climate crisis and actually support the initiatives we have put in place as far as the price on pollution, driving down our emissions and ensuring they are given those rebates to address the affordability challenges as well. That is just one example.