Government Operations committee  Mr. Chair, thank you for inviting us. This gives me an opportunity to speak to you about the enforcement of the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act within the Department of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. My name is Line Lamothe and I am the acting director general of the Human Resources and Workplace Services Branch.

Government Operations committee  Within Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, at our centre for integrity, values and conflict resolution, I am supported by three staff who assist me in receiving complaints. When my staff believe there is something that could meet the definition of a wrongdoing under the legislation, it's brought to my attention.

Operation UNIFIER  Madam Chair, it is my privilege to stand to speak to this take-note debate. First, I want to speak about the Edmonton Ukrainian Canadian community and how stalwart it has been across the country in standing up and giving support to their families overseas. It is absolutely incredible and it keeps pressure on us, getting us to speak out.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Our orders of the day today, pursuant to Standing Order 81(5), are supplementary estimates (C), 2010-11. This is on votes 1c, 5c, 10c, and 15c under Indian Affairs and Northern Development, referred to the committee on Tuesday, February 8. As is customary, we welcome Minister John Duncan, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  That was such an attack on the power of the family, but it was just considered perfectly normal by the federal Indian affairs department, by the white school board: “Hey, that's how things are done in 2016.” I want to ask you, as a youth, about confronting this system that is still very much in place.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you very much, Chair. I apologize for being a tad late. There were some countermanding instructions as to where I was supposed to be this morning, but I'm happy to be here. Thank you for inviting me to discuss the 2010-11 supplemental estimates (C) of the department. These complement the recently tabled main estimates in the report on plans and priorities.

Questions on the Order Paper  Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians and Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and the exempt staff are subject to the proactive disclosure. The details of their travel and hospitality expenses can be seen on the Indian Affairs and Northern Development website at the following link: www.ainc-inac.gc.ca.

Questions on the Order Paper  The Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development participated in the dialogue. It is unknown at this time when the results of the study will be released by the foundation.

Questions on the Order Paper  Mr. Speaker, in response to (a), a national wildlife area designation does not preclude development. The Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development is of the view that well-managed resource development can co-exist with protected areas. For this reason, the minister felt that the process to establish the Edéhzhie Candidate National Wildlife Area did not require an interim land withdrawal removing from disposition the subsurface rights.

Questions on the Order Paper  Mr. Speaker, in response to (a), active reclamation has been placed on hold until additional studies carried out under the active land use permit are complete. The cleanup of the Pointed Mountain gas facility is authorized under land use permit MV2007X0007. The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board, hereinafter referred to as the board, issued this permit in June 2007.

Questions on the Order Paper  Mr. Speaker, in response to (a), Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, INAC, has scheduled a new elementary school for Attawapiskat First Nation in the Ontario region’s first nation infrastructure investment plan. INAC and the first nation have developed a five-year national workplan, with three key phases: a school capital planning study update phase, to which $200,000 has been allocated in the 2010-11 fiscal year, December 2009 to February 2011; a detailed planning and design phase, March 2012 to September 2013; a construction phase, September 2013 to August 2015.

Questions on the Order Paper  Mr. Speaker, in response to (a), the report was commissioned in March 2009 as part of the department’s review of its post-secondary education programs. In response to (b), the contract was valued up to $24,675 only $11,750 was paid out under the contract. In response to (c), in 2008, the Educational Policy Institute was contracted by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada’s Ontario region.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, this government is delivering strategic investments that will help improve the lives of aboriginal Canadians. Since coming to office, we have more than delivered on education, water, housing, economic development and human rights. The Liberals ignored aboriginal peoples and northerners for a long period, while the NDP have shamefully voted against all of our important investments.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, this government has taken strong action on water since coming into government in 2006. After 13 long years of neglect, we have invested strong resources into upgrading water and waste water systems across the country, and the member knows it.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, in 2009 Dr. Jeremiah Bartram was engaged to explore the prospect of a negotiated settlement with the first nation. Dr. Bartram has submitted his final report and it is currently under review to determine the best way forward. We recognize the Sayisi Dene First Nation's difficult history.