House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 28% of the vote.
Aboriginal Affairs December 5th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, our government is responding to the situation. The third party manager is in the community and is working to address the urgent health and safety needs of residents.
We are continuing to work with Emergency Management Ontario and the first nation. Supplies are being sent into the community, and materials for renovating homes have been ordered by the chief and council.
I strongly urge the chief and council to work with the third party manager in the interests of the people.
Aboriginal Affairs December 1st, 2011
Mr. Speaker, we understand that there are many challenges in first nations communities. We have spent in an unprecedented fashion on improving the lives of first nations across the country. We have spent more than any other government on basic infrastructure and housing. We have involved ourselves in improving child welfare and the education file, and we will continue to do those things.
Aboriginal Affairs December 1st, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I just pointed out that on October 28, the Mushkegowuk Tribal Council invoked a state of emergency for three communities.
Nine or ten days later we received a request from Attawapiskat and we responded.
On November 24, last Thursday, we received an emergency measure from Attawapiskat.
Aboriginal Affairs December 1st, 2011
Mr. Speaker, our priority is to address the urgent health and safety needs of the people of Attawapiskat. We informed the chief that the community will be placed in third party management to ensure that community needs are addressed.
We are working with the community and with the province of Ontario, through Emergency Management Ontario, to quickly implement the community's existing emergency management plan to ensure that residents have access to warm, dry and safe shelter.
Aboriginal Affairs December 1st, 2011
Mr. Speaker, the Mushkegowuk Tribal Council invoked a declaration of emergency on October 28.
On November 7 we got our first funding proposal from Attawapiskat First Nation.
On November 8 we approved $500,000 immediately to be used for some housing renovations. We responded quickly.
On Thursday, November 24, we got an emergency declaration from Attawapiskat and on Monday, November 28, my officials were in the community. That is why we appointed a third party manager.
Infrastructure November 30th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, we have spent unprecedented money on infrastructure on reserves. It does not all come out of the stimulus spending plan. A lot of it is departmental spending. We have spent it on water and waste water systems. We have spent it on housing. We have spent it through Health Canada on health clinics.
This is an unprecedented level of investment in first nations by any other government. This is a big accomplishment and we want to continue to build from that.
Aboriginal Affairs November 30th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, our priority is ensuring that people in immediate need get adequate shelter as quickly as possible. We are also looking at ways to ensure this situation does not happen again.
We agree that we cannot have band-aid solutions. There are larger structural issues that need to be addressed. We will provide short and longer-term ways to address these concerns.
Aboriginal Affairs November 30th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, we are continuing to work with the province and the community to implement the emergency management plan to ensure the residents have access to warm, dry and safe shelter.
On the ground assessment has determined that urgent health and safety issues demand immediate action. Therefore, we have informed Chief Spence that we are placing the first nation in third party management.
I have also requested a comprehensive audit to identify how money has been spent and what oversight measures have been taken over the past five years.
Aboriginal Affairs November 29th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, we have invested in water infrastructure across the country in an unprecedented fashion. We have spent $2.5 billion since we formed government on water and waste water systems.
We will be tabling legislation in this House to make sure we have enforceable standards and regulations for water and waste water. We are developing a plan that will take care of people in Attawapiskat in the short term, and that is what is needed.
Aboriginal Affairs November 29th, 2011
Mr. Speaker, reasonable Canadians agree that the people of Attawapiskat deserve warm, dry and safe shelter. Since coming to office, our government has invested over $92 million in Attawapiskat. That is $52,000 for every man, woman and child. We are not getting the results that we thought we should get.
I have officials in the community, and they are making progress to ensure people are appropriately housed.