Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We've had agreements with the Red Cross for the last two years, but just recently, in April of this year, we signed a five-year agreement with the Canadian Red Cross to make sure that we have services that are longer term, not just year by year.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  This is for the province of Manitoba because, again, we take a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction approach. We want first nation communities to have access to comparable services within the jurisdiction so that one community gets the same kind of services that other communities get.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We're working jurisdiction by jurisdiction. If we take the case of Alberta, yes, they all do, and yes, they are completely embedded in the provincial construct, meaning that, when the community's capacity is exceeded, they can call on the provincial government. This has been a long-standing thing with Alberta.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you for the question. There is a formal process that is under way in terms of gathering lessons learned because it's still fairly recent. If I speak about B.C., there's a formal process under way. There have been workshops. Just next week, there are going to be two meetings with first nation communities in British Columbia to gather comments.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Madam Chair, we can start.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Good morning, Madam Chair and honourable members. Thank you for inviting us here today. I am accompanied today by Lyse Langevin, Director General of the Community Infrastructure Branch of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. I am here today to provide information on this year's wildfires affecting first nations communities, emergency management on reserve, and on-reserve fire protection.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The professional and institutional development program that was mentioned earlier is a $9.3-million program. In addition to that, the department for this year has prioritized an additional $4 million that is specifically targeted at communities that have management action plans in place to help them increase their capacity in the areas of governance.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  It's to make it a priority and to help move communities out of default.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes. The first nation determines where to take the money from. We know that the average cost for the first nations at the third level of intervention is about $170,000 a year.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The community is responsible for deciding where to take the money from. However, it can't take money from funds for essential services. Normally, the money should come from the band council's funding.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Indeed first nations, as all Canadians, should have access to clean drinking water for themselves and for their families. In budget 2016, additional funding was provided, that $1.8 billion over five years, to address in particular drinking water advisories. The department does have a priority ranking system where first nations submit their infrastructure plans, and in—

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I can certainly look into the particular circumstances of the first nation that you mentioned and get back to the committee on where they stand with respect to the ranking system.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you. I have nothing to add to what my colleagues have shared.