John Duncan

[Aboriginal Affairs, March 6th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, Attawapiskat First Nation has just awarded the construction contract for a new school. Chief Spence and I--

[Aboriginal Affairs, February 27th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, we thank the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for its work.

Through the settlement agreement provided to and agreed to by all the parties, our government did provide $60 million for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to carry out its mandate. We provided additional funds to assist in the cost of administering a federal department. Significant funds have been committed to providing in-kind services and supporting the Aboriginal Healing Foundation and creating the advocacy and public information program.

[Aboriginal Affairs, February 15th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to say that yesterday Chief Spence advised me that she would be providing the third party manager with the information he needed to flow funds to the community. This will allow the third party manager to confirm the payment of teachers' salaries. As well, this will allow construction crews to continue their important work preparing the sites for the 22 modular homes purchased with federal funds. This is a positive development in working together in the best interests of the community.

[Aboriginal Affairs, February 14th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the situation in that community is one that my officials will certainly address. They will be having a conversation on that and I will take that question under advisement.

[Aboriginal Affairs, February 14th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, we have been working in partnership. That is why we launched the joint action plan with the national chief. That is why that joint action plan prioritized K-12 education.

Our government continues to build on our progress to improve first nations education. Since we have been in office, we have built 22 new schools. We tendered the new school in Attawapiskat last month.

We will review the national panel's recommendations and report in due course.

[Aboriginal Affairs, February 14th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, our government will keep building on our progress to improve first nations education.

We are engaged with first nations. Our government has signed five education partnership agreements with provinces and first nations. I was proud to sign the first nations education framework agreement three weeks ago with B.C. first nations and the province.

We will review the national panel's recommendations and continue working for first nations students.

[Aboriginal Affairs, February 13th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, we have child and family service agreements with six provinces that cover over two-thirds of first nations children across the country. These are models that the first nations and the provinces are very much in favour of. They have made a real difference. They have reduced apprehensions.

This is the way we would like to go and we will continue to move in that direction.

[Aboriginal Affairs, February 13th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, our government is taking concrete steps to improve the quality of life for first nations communities across the country. Funding for family services has more than doubled over the past decade.

As well, the provinces and first nations have signed onto our enhanced prevention model. The model keeps first nations children in healthy environments in their communities and improves the quality of life for families on reserves.

[Aboriginal Affairs, February 8th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, today National Chief Shawn Atleo and I were provided with the national panel's report and recommendations on first nations education. I thank the panel for its hard work. We will be reviewing the report carefully. Our government will continue to work with first nations' partners on this shared priority to improve long-term economic prosperity.

[Aboriginal Affairs, February 8th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the one who is trying to use the school, the children and the teachers as bargaining chips is the member for Timmins—James Bay.

We are working with the education authority in the community. We are working in a way that will allow us to flow the funds, pay the bills, pay the payroll.

The person who does not understand what is going on in the community is the member for Timmins—James Bay.