Appearance before the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs: Kamloops Indian Residential School Site. Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, June 3, 2021

Background

The Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs' most recent studies have included Sex Trafficking of Indigenous Peoples, Enforcement on First Nation Reserves, the 2020-21 Supplementary Estimates (C) and the 2021-22 Main Estimates, Bill C-15 (An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples), the Government's Response to the COVID-19 pandemic second wave and Bill C-8, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act, and food security in the North.

During the study on Enforcement on First Nation Reserves, questions evolved around what could be done to improve police services on reserve, whether the Budget 2021 commitment of $861 million over five years is enough, challenges police face on the job, why band bylaws are unable to be enforced, jurisdictional issues, and police training.

During the Sex Trafficking of Indigenous Peoples meeting on June 1, 2021, questions were raised about low conviction rates for those accused of trafficking, Canada's approach versus the UN approach, whether changing legislation would bring clarity, funding for prevention, recommendations to increase capacity in organizations, and best practices.

Kamloops Indian Residential School Site

A take note debate on this matter was held in the House of Commons on June 1st, 2021. During the debate the Prime Minister spoke to the tragedy as a point of national shame, saying Canada failed these children and those who have yet to be found. He noted that he spoke with National Chief Perry Bellegarde and Chief Rosanne Casimir of the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation to determine how to best help communities during this time. Minister Bennet added detail about the work of the TRC and thanked the house for passing Bill C-5, which will unlock $13.8 million from budget 2021 to support more commemoration and the ability to educate all Canadians on the painful legacy of residential schools. MP Erin O'Toole (CPC) asked the federal government to accelerate the completion of the TRC CTA 71-76 which relate to missing children and burial sites. He also called on the Government to pass Bill C-8 which would amend the citizenship oath to recognize the aboriginal and treaty rights of first nations, Inuit and Métis people. MP Leah Gazan (NDP) called for all residential school sites to immediately be blocked off as crime scenes so that Indigenous peoples can decide how they want to proceed with the search for their loved ones. MP Jamie Schmale (CPC) said he cannot blame Indigenous viewers for doubting if Parliamentarians will take action, as the time to act was long ago. He called on the Government to put in place a plan to implement the TRC CTA's 71 to 76 by July 1 of this year, and for funding to be put in place to allow communities to investigate former residential schools for unmarked graves, and to be able to commemorate the individuals lost. MP Gary Vidal (CPC) and MP Eric Melillo (CPC) talked about how Orange Shirt day is an important educational tool. MP Marilene Gill (BQ) expressed frustration at the lack of progress on Indigenous issues and called for immediate action on CTA 72-78. Members of the NDP also repeatedly referred to the acts at residential schools as genocide against Indigenous people.

Several questions have been posed during Question Period over the last few days on this issue over the last few days. MP Candice Bergen (CPC) and MP Gerard Deltell (CPC) said Indigenous leaders are requesting for a "thorough probe" to identify the children, and their bodies to be returned to their families. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and MP Rachel Blaney (NDP) asked if the Government will stop taking Indigenous children to court. MP Gazan (NDP) and MP Mumilaaq Qaqqaq (NDP) asked if the Government will "get serious about implementing the TRC Calls to Action, including 73 and 75, and bring our children home?" MP Claude Debellefeuille (BQ) asked if the Government will fund the search of other children who have gone missing.

During previous INAN meetings, MP Gazan (NDP), who is not a permanent member of INAN but often sits on the Committee, has made comments that the Government spends too much money fighting Indigenous rights and status. "Your department continues to fight St. Anne's residential school survivors, sixties scoop survivors, in court." (April 20, 2021)

On October 27, 2020, MP Lenore Zann (Lib) made a comment during an INAN meeting about the importance of acknowledging the impact of residential schools on Indigenous families. "I think this is a very important step towards truth and reconciliation in coming together to accept and take responsibility for what the Crown has done in the past and what we don't want to do in the future."

Thursday, June 3 will be an NDP Opposition Day, it is expected the following motion will be debated:

June 1, 2021 — Mr. Julian (New Westminster—Burnaby) — That, given that,

1. the discovery of the grave of 215 children at Kamloops Indian Residential School has led to an outpouring of grief and anger across Canada,
2. the vast majority of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to action remain uncompleted, despite the clear path to justice and reconciliation that the Commission provides,
3. survivors, families and nations are demanding concrete action to advance real reconciliation, as opposed to just more words and symbolic gestures,

the House call on the government to:

1. cease its belligerent and litigious approach to justice for Indigenous children by immediately dropping its appeal before the Federal Court in file numbers T-1621-19 (compensation) and T-1559-20 (Jordan's Principle for non-status First Nations kids recognized by their nations) and to recognize the government's legal obligation to fully comply with Canadian Human Rights Tribunal orders in this regard;
2. agree to sit down with the St. Anne's residential school survivors organization Peetabeck Keway Keykaywin Association to find a just solution to the fact that survivors' access to justice has been denied as a consequence of the actions of government lawyers in suppressing evidence at the Independent Assessment Process;
3. accelerate the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to action, including by providing immediate funding for further investigation into the deaths and disappearances of children at residential schools in compliance with calls to action 71 to 76;
4. provide survivors, their families, and their communities with appropriate resources to assist with the emotional, physical, spiritual, mental, and cultural trauma resulting from residential schools; and
5. within 10 days, table a progress report on actions taken in compliance with paragraphs (a) through (d) of the present motion, and that this report be deemed to have been referred to the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs for consideration upon tabling.

If pressed on CTA 2 – ISC lead (91 words)

• The Act's national guiding principles must be applied by all who provide child and family services to First Nations, Inuit and Métis families including Provinces, Territories and service providers.
• This will ensure that the best interests of the child, cultural continuity and substantive equality are the guiding principles and priorities in any situation.
• The Act also opens the door for First Nations, Inuit and Métis to choose their own solutions by exercising their jurisdiction.
• We must all continue to work together to end this ongoing crisis impacting Indigenous children and families.

If pressed on CTA 3 – ISC lead (87 words)

• We are committed to the full implementation of Jordan's Principle and to help First Nations children access the products, services and supports they need.
• From July 2016 to November 2020, approximately 770,000 requested products, services and supports have been approved.
• Budget 2019 invested $1.2 billion over three years to support the continued implementation of Jordan's Principle.
• We have also invested $220 million over five years to address the immediate needs of Inuit children and to continue working with Inuit partners to improve local capacity to deliver services.

If pressed on Call to Action 18 - ISC lead

• With the support of Health Canada and Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, Indigenous Services Canada is leading the planning and coordination of national discussions on addressing racism experienced by Indigenous peoples in Canada's health care systems.
• Central to this work is the promotion and support of Indigenous healing approaches.
• Work and engagement will continue through 2021 and beyond.

If pressed on Call to Action 22 - ISC lead

• The 2020 Fall Economic Statement announced an initial investment of $15.6 million over two years, starting in 2021-22, to support the co-development of distinctions-based health legislation with First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation.
• This work will improve access to high-quality and culturally relevant health services.

If pressed on CTA 29: Addressing the Legacy (56 words)

(29 – CIRNAC)

• Canada took concrete action to implement this Call to Action through the settlements of the Newfoundland and Labrador (Anderson), Federal Indian Day Schools (McLean) and Sixties Scoop settlement agreements.
• Canada will continue to work with plaintiffs, their counsel, Indigenous leaderships, the provinces and territories to resolve Indigenous Childhood Claims Litigation outside of the courts wherever possible.

Jordan's Principle

In 2016 and 2017, the Tribunal issued three remedial orders aimed at ensuing Canada fully implemented the full meaning and scope of Jordan's Principle. Most significantly, the 2017 order expanded the eligibility for Jordan's Principle to all First Nations children, regardless of residence, applied a lens of substantive equality when assessing requests, imposed stringent timelines for the approval of requests, and required the government to publicize Jordan's Principle.

On February 21, 2019, the CHRT addressed a new complaint regarding the definition of a First Nations child for the purposes of implementing Jordan's Principle, and issued an interim relief order stating that Canada "shall provide First Nations children living off reserve who have urgent and/or life threatening needs, but do not have (and are not eligible for) Indian Act status, with the services required to meet those urgent and/or life-threatening service needs, pursuant to Jordan's Principle". This interim definition was further expanded in the final order, issued July 17, 2020, by removing the requirement for urgent or life threatening needs.

On November 25, 2020 the CHRT released its final ruling on the definition of "First Nations child" for the purposes of eligibility under Jordan's Principle. In this ruling, the Tribunal accepted the process established by the parties, as ordered by the CHRT in July 2020, to determine which children are eligible for consideration to receive services under Jordan's Principle. Cases meeting any one of four criteria are eligible for consideration under Jordan's Principle. Those criteria are the following:

1. The child is registered or eligible to be registered under the Indian Act, as amended from time to time;
2. The child has one parent/guardian who is registered or eligible to be registered under the Indian Act;
3. The child is recognized by their Nation for the purposes of Jordan's Principle; or
4. The child is ordinarily resident on reserve.

The Tribunal further ordered Canada to fund First Nations and First Nations organizations for confirmation of First Nations identity, including funding for human resources, policy development and updating, internal governance, communication, coordination, professional fees, and administrative fees.

It is important to note that this decision only applies to the definition of First Nations child for the purpose of Jordan's Principle.

FNCFS

On February 1, 2018, the Tribunal added items to its previous order, including paying the actual costs of FNCFS agencies in prevention and other areas. The Department is working closely with the parties to the complaint – the Assembly of First Nations, the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, the Chiefs of Ontario, Nishnawbe Aski-Nation, the Canadian Human Rights Commission and Amnesty International – to fully implement the various orders of the Tribunal.

In January 2018, the Government of Canada hosted an Emergency Meeting on Indigenous Child and Family Services, with national and regional Indigenous leadership, as well as federal, provincial and territorial governments, to discuss the causes that lead to the high rate of Indigenous children in care and how to work together towards systemic reform. At that meeting, the Government announced its commitment to six points of action that included the potential for federal legislation, as called for in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action #4; continuing to fully implement previous CHRT orders (from 2016 and prior to September 2019); reform First Nations child and family services including moving to a flexible funding model; and work with partners to shift the focus of programming to culturally-appropriate prevention, early intervention, and family reunification.

The Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families (Act) was co-developed with Indigenous, provincial and territorial partners and received Royal Assent on June 21, 2019. The Act came into force on January 1, 2020.

On August 7, 2020, the Caring Society filed a motion of non-compliance against Canada, alleging that it has failed to provide sufficient funding for the provision of services to First Nations children and families where these services are delivered by provincial or Yukon agencies, and not by delegated FNCFS agencies. In late February 2021, the Caring Society, the AFN and the Department of Justice presented a consent order to the Tribunal, asking that the Tribunal issue that order. The order would resolve this non-compliance motion through the implementation of a revised funding model that would provide additional funding for prevention activities to First Nations that are not served by a delegated First Nations child and family services agency. As of March 9, 2021, the Tribunal has not yet made the order.

On August 11, 2020 the CHRT ruled that substantive equality required that Canada continue to accept submissions and make reimbursements for Band Representative Services and Children and Youth's mental health services on an ongoing basis, without imposing an inflexible deadline.

There are a number of outstanding issues awaiting a decision from the CHRT, including major capital, small agencies, and funding reallocation.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, ISC has expanded eligible expenses to support First Nations agencies and communities in addressing emergency concerns. Additionally, ISC recently introduced a national temporary measure to ensure that services already funded through the First Nations Child and Family Services Program are maintained for all First Nations youth who reach the age of majority or who are past the age of majority but are in special care arrangements, until at least March 31, 2021.

Compensation

On September 6, 2019, the CHRT released an Order on compensation. The Tribunal ordered Canada to pay the maximum amount of $40,000 ($20,000 for pain and suffering and $20,000 for willful and reckless conduct) per removed child and caregiving parent or grandparent, as well as for this children impacted by gaps, delays or denials under Jordan's Principle, and their caregiving parents or grandparents. In the ruling, Canada was instructed to work with CHRT parties to develop a framework to implement the compensation order. The date for submitting the framework was December 10, 2019, however that date was later extended to allow for clarification from the Tribunal on areas of divergence (e.g., payment to deceased individuals, children in care prior to Jan 1/06 and who remained in care as of that date). A failure to reach an agreement will result in the panel ordering one of its own creation.

On October 4, 2019 the Attorney General of Canada filed a Notice of Application for Judicial Review and a Motion to stay with the Federal Court. The motion to stay was heard in Federal Court in November 2019. On November 29, 2019, the judge ruled against Canada's motion to stay and ordered Canada to begin work with CHRT parties on the development of the compensation framework. A decision on the application for judicial review has not yet been rendered.

Biographical information

Mr. Anandasangaree was first elected to the House of Commons in 2015, and again in 2019.

Prior to his election to the House of Commons, Mr. Anandasangaree advocated for education and justice as an internationally recognized human rights lawyer and community activist. He has served as Chair of the Canadian Tamil Youth Development Centre, President of the Canadian Tamils' Chamber of Commerce, and counsel to the Canadian Tamil Congress. He was also legal counsel to the Independent Mortgage Brokers and Agents, a board member of the Youth Challenge Fund, member of the Toronto Police Chief's Advisory Board, and a member of the United Way Newcomers Grant Program.

Mr. Anandasangaree attended Osgoode Hall Law School. He was called to the bar in 2006 and later managed his own firm in Scarborough, Ontario. He has been an advocate for human rights issues, regularly representing Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada at the United Nations. He has also served as an advocate for local youth, intervening in cases of wrongful student expulsion and suspension.

For his community service and local advocacy, Mr. Anandasangaree has received both the Queen's Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals. He also received the Osgoode Hall Law School "One to Watch" Gold Key Award and the South Asian Bar Association's Young Practitioner Award.

Statements on Indigenous Issues

• UNDRIP and Healthcare: "We also need to ensure that we bring forward legislation on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We need to make sure that the gaps we see in all other social determinants of health are closed as well. As the throne speech said, we also want to make sure that in health care, we have legislation that is co-developed by indigenous partners so we can have proper health care for all in this country." Hansard, Oct. 1, 2020
• MMIWG Action Plan: "In response to the first-ever national public inquiry regarding this ongoing national tragedy, our government is working with all provincial and territorial governments as well as indigenous leaders, survivors and families to develop a national action plan that sets a clear road map to ensure that indigenous women and girls, two-spirit and gender diverse people are safe. As the Speech from the Throne and the minister's mandate letter highlighted, the co-development of the national action plan is a priority of our government and work is under way through a series of working groups led by indigenous women, with families and survivors at the centre of this work." Hansard, Feb. 2, 2021
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: "It is a day marked by September 30, traditionally Orange Shirt Day. As much as we mark this day, as much as this day is important and significant, it is a day for Canadians to recommit and double down on the need for reconciliation to take place, the need for all the social determinants of health to be rectified and to ensure that we have a proper plan and path forward to ensure that true equality can take shape in Canada." Hansard, Oct. 23, 2020
• Indian Act: "A number of questions were posed about the Indian Act itself. I can categorically say that it is a deeply flawed and deeply racist act that continues to subjugate First Nations people from coast to coast to coast in a very colonial setting." Hansard, Oct. 23, 2020

General Issues Raised in Question Period and Committee

• Bill C-8, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's call to action number 94): "I just want to put on the record the importance of having this work within Bill C-8, the term "Constitution Act, 1982". It is very important in the sense that it recognizes some very specific rights of Indigenous people, defined in section 35. Bill C-8 is a document that had consultation through a number of different Indigenous organizations and peoples, and we believe it's an important outlet to reaffirm the importance of the Constitution and the constitutional rights of Indigenous peoples as enshrined therein." INAN, Feb. 4, 2021
• COVID-19/Long-term care: "While Canada has done relatively well in handling the pandemic, our systemic failure within our long-term care homes is a national shame. I recognize and acknowledge that the long-term care homes are a provincial responsibility. In some respects, it is easy for us to say this and point fingers. Truth be told: no one cares about jurisdiction. Canadians want action and rightfully so. Decades of neglect have eroded the fragile foundations of these facilities. An absence of accountability and apathy toward oversight has shifted the culture from one of long-term care to one of long-term crisis." Hansard, Jan. 25, 2021
• Human Rights/Sri Lanka: "This year is the 10th anniversary of the end of the armed conflict in Sri Lanka. Last June, Parliament unanimously passed a motion asking the United Nations to undertake an investigation into genocide on the island. Sadly, Sri Lanka has returned a war criminal to power with his cohorts of despotic military leaders, who have sent chills down the spine of civil society actors on the island and worldwide. Now more than ever truth, peace, accountability and reconciliation on the island seem far out of reach." Hansard, Dec. 11, 2019

General Issues Raised in the Media

• Anti-Black Racism: "We cannot continue to afford to let history repeat itself. We must not only address Anti-Black racism and educate one another, but stand shoulder-to-shoulder with all our brothers and sisters across the globe to fight back against any form of racism and discrimination." Twitter, May 30, 2020

Written Questions

• None.

Private Members' Business

• M-24 (Tamil Heritage Month) (Motion Agreed To, Oct 5, 2016) - That, in the opinion of the House, the government should recognize the contributions that Tamil-Canadians have made to Canadian society, the richness of the Tamil language and culture, and the importance of educating and reflecting upon Tamil heritage for future generations by declaring January, every year, Tamil Heritage Month.

Biographical information

Born in Potlotek First Nation, NS, Mr. Battiste was first elected to the House of Commons in 2019.

Prior to his election, Mr. Battiste was a published writer on Mi'kmaq laws, history, and knowledge. After graduating from Dalhousie Law in 2004, he worked as a professor, senior advisor, citizenship coordinator and Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief.

Mr. Battiste has extensive volunteer experience in athletics, youth advocacy, community events, and advocacy for the Mi'kmaw Nation. He is a member of the Aboriginal Sport Circle and a part owner of the Eskasoni Junior B Eagles. He served as the Nova Scotia Youth council representative to the Assembly of First Nation National Youth Council from 2001-2006. In 2005, the National Aboriginal Healing Organization named him as one of the National Aboriginal Role Models in Canada. In 2006, as Chair of the Assembly of First Nations Youth Council, he became one of the founding members of the Mi'kmaq Maliseet Atlantic Youth Council (MMAYC), an organization that represents and advocates for Mi'kmaw and Maliseet youth within the Atlantic. In 2018, Mr. Battiste was recognized with the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers.

Mr. Battiste is the first Mi'kmaw Member of Parliament.

Statements on Indigenous Issues

• UNDRIP: "There is no doubt that the Indian Act is racist legislation. There is no doubt that we need to change it. I really hope we can do so with UNDRIP, being something that takes its place. My father is one of the initial drafters of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It is an amazing document and we should move forward on it." Hansard, Oct. 23, 2020
• Systemic Racism/Policing: "We have to understand that there is systemic racism in all levels of government and while we want the RCMP and police keepers, what we really want to see is more Mi'kmaq police keepers, peacekeepers and RCMP people to help protect." Hansard, Oct. 23, 2020
• Education: "In Nova Scotia, the Mi'kmaq took control over their education system 20 years ago with Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey, which we call MK, … and we saw a 30% graduation rate increase to where we are today at about 90%. The evidence seems to clear that First Nations-led and First Nations-governed education systems achieve better results for First Nations students. I also understand that there are 23 Anishinabek nations who have signed a historic self-government agreement on education." INAN, Feb. 20, 2020

General Issues Raised in Question Period and Committee

• UNDRIP: "today is a historic day for indigenous people: 13 years ago, the United Nations General Assembly voted to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Many scholars across several nations, including my father, Sákéj Youngblood Henderson, worked for decades on the UN declaration. Will the Minister of Justice update the House on the Liberal government's commitment to introduce a bill on the UN declaration before the end of 2020?" Hansard, Dec. 3, 2020
• Bill C-8, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's call to action number 94): "A lot of people focus on section 35 of the Constitution of Canada, which recognizes and affirms the aboriginal and treaty rights, but I don't feel that people acknowledge and put as much weight on section 52, the supremacy law that you were referring to that recognizes that aboriginal and treaty rights, which include inherent and aboriginal title and all of the things the AFN was talking about, are actually the supreme law of Canada." INAN, Feb. 2, 2021
• Environment: "The Indigenous Leadership Initiative hosted the Land Needs Guardians conference in Ottawa to address the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss; Indigenous nations are at the forefront of a growing movement to create indigenous protection in conserved areas." Hansard, Feb. 5, 2020

General Issues Raised in the Media

• Domestic terrorism: "We are taking the threat posed by organizations and groups that traffic in hate, misogyny, and antisemitism seriously. Violent extremism has no place in Canada and must be treated appropriately." Twitter, Feb. 3, 2021
• COVID-19 government response: "I sat down with Mayor McDougall to discuss how we'll work together on progressive policies that will support those who need it most, lay out the importance of investing in our local infrastructure on the federal level, and ferry Cape Bretoners through the post-COVID recovery." Twitter, Jan. 20, 2021
• Health care: "One of the no. 1 things I heard at the doors was the need to improve access to health care in Cape Breton. I met with Hon. @PattyHajdu, Minister of Health, to discuss what matters most to Cape Bretoners when it comes to quality access to health care services. This will be one of my many priorities. I look forward to working with the Minister and improve access to the services we rely on every day." Twitter, Dec. 12, 2019

Written Questions

• None.

Private Members' Business

• M-35 (environment grading label) (Adopted in the HOC Feb. 24, 2021 and referred to ENVI, study date TBD.) - That: the House recognize that Canadians understand that climate change represents a threat to our way of life and are looking for opportunities where they can make a difference in their day-to-day lives, and that the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development be instructed to undertake a study to recommend a consumer-friendly environment grading label on all products available to Canadian consumers and to provide recommendations to the industry sector on ways to implement the labelling regime, and that the study examine, among other matters, the possibility of having the environment grading label include greenhouse gas emissions, water and energy usage, and waste creation.

Biographical information

Born in Hamilton, ON, Mr. Bratina was first elected to the House of Commons in 2015, and again in 2019.

Prior to his election, Mr. Bratina worked in radio and broadcasting for local morning shows and sporting events. In 1998, he was inducted into the Football Reporters of Canada Hall of Fame. He was also a nominee for Hamilton Citizen of the Year, and won Hamilton Mountain Citizen of the Year. He also served on numerous Boards of Directors including; GO Transit, Art Gallery of Hamilton, Theatre Aquarius, and HECFI.

In 2004, he was elected as MPP for Hamilton Centre, and again in 2006. His concerns over high lead readings in city drinking water resulted in a lead water service replacement loan program and a lead blood screening program for young children. He was elected as Mayor of Hamilton in 2010, seeing the completion of a new stadium, development in the downtown core, and a move to solve the impasse in the local Randle Reed project.

Statements on Indigenous Issues

• Wet'suwet'en Protests and the RCMP: "All communities should benefit from policing that is professional and dedicated, and indigenous communities are no exception. That is why we will co-develop a legislative framework for First Nations policing and expand the number of communities served by the First Nations policing program. We will ensure police officers and services have the necessary tools and resources to protect the vulnerable and increase community safety." Hansard, Feb. 20, 2020
• Water Quality: "We can no longer take a reactive approach to combatting lead pipes and drinking water quality. The time has come for the federal government to work together with its provincial, territorial, municipal, and indigenous partners to create a unified cross-country solution to eradicate these issues, which affect the very young more than the old, and low-income families more than the affluent. Children in older, poorer neighbourhoods should not be exposed to a serious health hazard because of where they live or their family's economic status." Hansard, Feb. 7, 2017

General Issues Raised in Question Period and Committee

• Steel industry: "Despite the pandemic, many of the business sectors in Hamilton are performing well, contributing to wages and tax revenues, including the steel industry, which I am proud to help represent. With the current round of pre-budget consultations now under way, can the Associate Minister of Finance tell us how the government plans to ensure vibrancy and sustainability for steel and steel-related industries as we navigate the complex issues of a post-pandemic economy?" Hansard, Feb. 2, 2021
• Automotive industry: "I am encouraged by the recent Unifor-Ford collective bargaining agreement and what this multi-billion dollar investment means for the future of Canadian auto manufacturing. As the member for Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, I represent Canada's biggest steel producer and hundreds of related manufacturing operations." Hansard, Oct. 8, 2020
• Veterans: "Must keep investing in veterans' benefits and services. After 10 years of cuts to funding and staff, we are rebuilding the trust of veterans." Hansard, Sept. 25, 2018

General Issues Raised in the Media

• COVID-19/Canadian Football League (CFL): "The CFL is unique. I think there's value in the league but I think it needs to be dealt with from (the perspective of) nine cities, six provinces and the federal government working together to come up with a plan which, really, shouldn't be that expensive in that context." CBC News Hamilton, May 14, 2020
• Steel: "I've always supported steel all my life … I had steelworkers at the door thanking me for what I did. (Stelco) is working; pensioners are getting their pensions; we put millions of dollars to increase the production facility." Hamiltonnews.com, Oct 22, 2019

Written Questions

• None.

Private Members' Business

• M-69 (Water Quality) (Motion Agreed To, Feb. 7, 2017) - That, in the opinion of the House: (a) the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities should undertake a study on (i) the presence of lead in Canadian tap water, (ii) provincial, territorial and municipal efforts to date to replace lead water distribution lines, (iii) current federal efforts to support other levels of government in the provision of safe drinking water; (b) the Committee should report to the House no later than December 1, 2017; and (c) following the tabling of the said report, the federal government should engage with key stakeholders, such as provincial and territorial governments, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, as well as Indigenous partners, to discuss options for addressing lead drinking water service lines, including any potential role for the federal government.

Biographical information

Born in Fort William, ON, Mr. Powlowski was first elected to the House of Commons in 2019.

Prior to his election, Mr. Powlowski served as a physician in the Emergency Room at Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre. In addition to being a medical doctor, he has two law degrees - LL.B, LL.M from the universities of Toronto and Georgetown, respectively. He also attended Harvard University and obtained a Masters of Public Health in Health Law and Policy.

Mr. Powlowski worked as a doctor for two years in northern First Nations communities, and for seven years practicing medicine in several developing countries in Africa and Oceania. For several years, he worked as a consultant in health legislation for the World Health Organization. He also volunteered on a medical project in Ethiopia.

Statements on Indigenous Issues

• COVID-19: "H1N1, which was the last COVID-19-like virus to go around, disproportionately affected people in northern indigenous communities for the reasons … probably (because of) the usual social determinants of health, lack of water, overcrowding, those kinds of things. However, I think there was probably also a genetic component. Being a doctor in Thunder Bay regional hospital at the time, we had a lot of ICU beds occupied by people from northern communities. There were young people who got H1N1 and were ill enough that they had to be intubated and put on a ventilator. The ultimate concern with COVID-19 is the proportion of people who have more serious illnesses. The answer to that, if you're in one of the northern fly-in communities, is to fly them out. In the case of an epidemic, you're probably going to need more planes, better transportation systems. Is that being considered and prepared for?" INAN, Mar. 12, 2020
• Wet'suwet'en Protests: "It is imperative to exhaust all peaceful means of resolving the rail blockades." Hansard, Feb. 18, 2020
• Funding for Services: "A constant refrain that I hear in Thunder Bay is that we have this large community here, but we're not getting the funding to provide services for that community. I know there's Jordan's Principle there that says nobody falls between the cracks, but that seems like that's filling in the cracks, that's not really a plan. What is being done in order to assist indigenous people coming to these kinds of communities to get the services they need to integrate if they so choose, into the society?" INAN, Feb. 25, 2020

General Issues Raised in Question Period and Committee

• Food Security in the North: "Having lived for a couple of years in such communities, I have spent a lot of money at the Northern store and have had to pay whatever they were charging, four or five dollars, for a head of lettuce and those kinds of prices. Obviously in a lot of these communities, Northern store basically has a monopoly. There's no real competition. Do you think their prices are fair?" INAN, Jan. 26, 2021
• COVID-19: "Over the years, because of a lack of infectious disease, we've become a lot more concerned about doing everything possible not to infringe on individual liberties, and we've been very reluctant to use any sort of coercive action to control the spread of infectious disease. This is public health academia. Although our government was criticized for it, it is the prevailing attitude in public health academia and public health circles in the western world… this was perhaps a mistake on the part of the public health community." HESA, Apr. 15, 2020
• Housing: "Government has made a real investment in Canadian communities; cost of rent is going up everywhere; need for federal government to play a leadership role in the housing sector." Hansard, Jan. 29, 2020

General Issues Raised in the Media

• LGBTIQ+ Discrimination: "LGBTIQ+ people still face serious challenges in their everyday life. When we stop pointing to the exceptions and start looking at how we can best support each other, we break the silence and continue the demand for systemic change." Twitter, May 17, 2020
• Firearms: "Given that there is currently no legal definition for a 'military assault rifle in Canada, some community members I have spoken with are skeptical that a ban based on this term would make sense as a coherent firearm policy. Such a term, as they see it, is more political than policy oriented, and seeks to target certain firearms without a rational basis." Ipolitics.ca, Jan. 21, 2020
• Indigenous living conditions: "I fully support efforts to improve the living conditions of the Indigenous population - we can do better than we are doing now." Netnewsledger.com, July 21, 2019

Written Questions

• None.

Private Members' Business

• None.

Biographical information

Born in Toronto, ON, Mr. van Koeverden was first elected to the House of Commons in 2019.

Prior to his election, Mr. van Koeverden was a professional sprint kayaker. He has won numerous Olympic medals, including the gold medal in men's canoeing at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, and has also won numerous medals at World Championship events, including the gold medal in 2007, and again in 2011.

Mr. van Koeverden has also worked as a managing consultant with Deloitte, and as a broadcaster, writer and producer with CBC Sports. He graduated as valedictorian from McMaster University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology.

He has volunteered extensively for organizations like Right To Play, WaterAID, Special Olympics, Parkinson's Canada, and the David Suzuki Foundation. He has also served as Chair of the Canadian Olympic Athletes' Commission, and was a member of the federal government's working group for Gender Inclusion and Gender Based Violence in Sport.

Statements on Indigenous Issues

• Bill C-10, An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts: "As highlighted in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to action and in the calls for justice issued by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, broadcasting can play a key role in promoting and protecting Indigenous languages, arts, cultures, traditions and perspectives. The bill would support Indigenous creators so that they can tell their own stories in their own words. It emphasizes the need for Indigenous-run broadcasting services. …. Hearing them, allowing us to live the stories they tell, will not only have us in awe. It will contribute to reconciliation and mutual understanding." Hansard, Nov. 19, 2020
• Food Security in the North: "I'm curious how the various harvester programs—and the programs that fund hunters, gatherers, fishers and traditional food suppliers—are interacting with the harvester grant. …. You mentioned how important these programs are for the mental health and vitality of people, enabling them to live on the land. Do you have any recommendations for how this program or these programs could continue to work better or work better together?" INAN, Feb. 23, 2021
• Wet'suwet'en Protests: "We can certainly all agree, I hope, that a peaceful process and a resolution that results in no violence is in everyone's best interests. However, the language that we have heard from the Leader of the Opposition is anything but peaceful, as he suggested that Indigenous people 'check their privilege'" Hansard, Feb. 18, 2020

General Issues Raised in Question Period and Committee

• Environment: "Last week, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change released a list of the 325 conditions that the CN intermodal project must meet before it could proceed with any development in my riding of Milton. I recognize that these conditions address some of the concerns raised by my community and that this conditional approval is a technical assessment not an endorsement by the federal government. However, let me be very clear that these conditions do not change my position. I have always advocated for a rejection of this project and I remain strongly opposed." Hansard, Jan. 29, 2021
• Energy: "As we all know, many communities continue to rely on diesel-fueled power as a primary energy source. We've heard from many communities that this is becoming increasingly challenging as the impacts of climate change affect their ability to access diesel, as well as the cost." INAN, Feb. 25, 2020
• COVID-19: "the reason that I bring it up is that misinformation is actually incredibly damaging to the Canadian rhetoric. It is very dangerous. I had a call with seniors from my riding, just last night. They were really worried because they are listening to this anti-vaccine rhetoric and these notions that the number of deaths in Alberta has been inflated somehow. Misinformation is another pandemic, and we have to be very mindful of what we put out there. People rely on us for good information." Hansard, Dec. 3, 2020
• Mental Health: "We need to ensure that workplaces across Canada have mental health standards in place. People who want to access mental health services should not have to wait months on end before they get the help they need. These are exactly the sorts of problems our government will tackle, by working to introduce relevant workplace mental health standards and ensuring Canadians can access services when they need them." Hansard, Jan. 27, 2020
• Equality in Sport & Society: "Find solutions so all Canadians can access sport, recreation and physical activity; examine barriers that women in leadership roles face inside and outside the sport industry; work on expanding Canada's anti-racism strategy; ensure easier access to sports and community activities for newcomers to Canada." Hansard, Jan. 27, 2020

General Issues Raised in the Media

• Racism and Discrimination: "Through Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy, we are funding projects to combat racism in all its forms. We will continue our work as allies and partners with racialized communities, religious minorities, and Indigenous peoples to combat racism as we build back better and more inclusive." News Release, Canadian Heritage, Nov. 9, 2020
• Canada Child Benefit: "Canada is an example of what real action on poverty reduction looks like. With programs like the Canada Child Benefit - families in Milton, and across our country have more money each month. That's more money for healthy food, sports & recreation and quality time together." Twitter, Feb. 6, 2019

Written Questions

• None.

Private Members' Business

• None.

Biographical information

Born in Sydney, Australia, Ms. Zann was first elected to House of Commons in 2019.

Prior to her election, Ms. Zann worked as a screen, television, stage, and voice actress, and appeared in numerous television shows, films, radio, and animated series.

Ms. Zann was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in 2009, and again in 2013 for the Nova Scotia NDP. She was the NDP spokesperson for Education, Environment, Status of Women, Human Rights Commission, Aboriginal Affairs & Truth & Reconciliation, Agriculture, Advanced Education, African NS Affairs, and Gaelic Affairs. She served as the Ministerial Assistant for the Department of Tourism, Culture, and Heritage.

Ms. Zann also produces and directs a community theatre production for the Truro Theatre Society.

Statements on Indigenous Issues

• UNDRIP: "The Government of Canada hopes to achieve what we began along the path of reconciliation, and we plan to introduce UNDRIP. I am looking forward to that. We committed to a renewed nation-to-nation, Inuit-to-Crown, government-to-government process with Indigenous peoples across Canada to make real progress on the issues that are most important to them. We have already started down this path and we will keep walking together. It is in my heart and it is in my mind, and I pledge that I will do everything that I can as a member of Parliament to make sure that this happens." Hansard, Oct. 19, 2020
• MMIWG: "On domestic violence and gun control, I noted that at least 118 women and girls have been murdered across our country so far this year, according to the annual report from the Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability. More often than not, that is a result of domestic violence, and shooting was the most common method of killing. This report comes on the 30th anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre at the university in Montreal. That shooting, which left 14 innocent young women dead, thrust the term "misogyny" into the public discourse in Canada. It still continues today, and it is a problem. Missing and murdered Indigenous women are still a huge issue that we need to address on all sides of this House and in all provinces across this nation." Hansard, Dec. 12, 2019
• Bill C-230, An Act respecting the development of a national strategy to redress environmental racism: "I would contend that Indigenous and Black women have been building grassroots environmental and social justice movements for decades to challenge the legal, political and corporate agendas that sanction and enable environmental racism and other forms of colonial violence in their communities. Colonial gendered violence continues today and includes the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, the displacement of Indigenous people from their lands by corporate resource-extraction projects, anti-Black and anti-Indigenous police violence and other forms of state-sanctioned violence that make it difficult for Indigenous and Black peoples and women to meet their basic needs with respect to employment, income, health care and other resources." Hansard, Dec. 8, 2020

General Issues Raised in Question Period and Committee

• Mi'Kmaq fisheries: "My constituents in Millbrook First Nation, as well as the Mi'kmaq across the province, would appreciate an update on the current nation-to-nation discussions under way between our government and the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Chiefs based on their treaty rights to fish for a moderate livelihood, which was upheld in a ruling on the Marshall decision…" Hansard, Oct. 2, 2020
• COVID-19/Mental health: "We heard in the spring that the pandemic was having impacts on mental health across the country for Indigenous communities that were already vulnerable before the crisis. They are even more so now and will probably be more so afterwards… Can you please describe the impacts of the pandemic on the mental health of Mi'Kmaq communities in our area?" INAN, Nov. 26, 2020
• New fiscal relationships: "…When Indigenous communities move toward self-governance and self-determination, they have better outcomes across the board…. Part of this includes developing fiscal relations with communities that allow them to make their own choices about where to invest and the government has proposed a new collaborative self-government fiscal policy as a better way to address the needs of self-governing First Nations." INAN, Feb. 25, 2020

General Issues Raised in the Media

• Environmental Assessment: "An environmental assessment off the coast of Newfoundland could fast-track oil and gas exploration in an area that is home to sensitive corals and sponges, and includes important habitat for endangered whales. We have until Feb. 21 to take action ecologyaction.ca/ocean" Twitter, Feb. 8, 2020

Written Questions

• None.

Private Members' Business

• C-230 (National Strategy to Redress Environmental Racism Act) (Introduced Feb. 26, 2020, 2nd hour of debate at 2nd reading anticipated on March 22, 2021) - An Act respecting the development of a national strategy to redress environmental racism.

Biographical information

Born in Kenora, Ontario, Mr. Melillo was first elected to the House of Commons in 2019.

Prior to his election, Mr. Melillo studied economics at Lakehead University, worked for a non-partisan think tank in Thunder Bay (Northern Policy Institute) conducting policy analysis, served as an Associate for a Business Consulting firm, and worked as the campaign manager for Kenora—Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford.

Mr. Melillo is the Conservative Party's Shadow Minister for Northern Affairs and Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario.

Mr. Melillo is the first Generation Z MP, the youngest Conservative MP ever elected in Canada, and the youngest in the 43rd Canadian Parliament.

Statements on Indigenous Issues

• MMIWG/Water: "I worry that this promise [MMIWG Action Plan] could follow a fate similar to the government's pledge to end all long-term drinking water advisories. We know the government had to walk that promise back very recently…" Hansard, Feb. 2, 2021
• Water: "Today marks 26 years since the Neskantaga First Nation in my riding fell under a boil water advisory. Not only has the community had to overcome the advisory itself, but last year a malfunction with the water system caused residents to have to evacuate entirely. The government has stated that no relationship is more important to it than its relationship with Indigenous peoples; however, its inaction on this issue speaks far louder than its hollow words. All that community residents have been asking is for the government to keep the promise it made and put an end to this crisis." Hansard, Feb. 1, 2021
• Housing: "the member across the way mentioned the rapid housing initiative and has been speaking of housing in the north more broadly. In my riding of Kenora in northwestern Ontario, we see many of these issues day after day. One of the things that concerned me when the rapid housing initiative was announced is that there seems to be a specific focus on urban centres when, meanwhile, northern rural regions and Indigenous communities seem to have to fight for the rest of the funds. I would ask the member why northern Canada and Indigenous communities, more specifically, weren't offered a specific stream as part of this initiative." Hansard, Nov. 5, 2020

General Issues Raised in Question Period and Committee

• Broadband: "In 2016, the government promised high-speed Internet to the communities of Madsen and Shoal Lake 39 in my riding. This funding was announced five years ago, yet these communities are still waiting for improved service. If it was not to deliver high-speed Internet as promised, where was this funding actually spent?" Hansard, Jan. 28, 2021
• FedNor: "Municipalities across northern Ontario have been waiting over 100 days to find out whether they will receive funding through the community investment initiative to support economic development. The department claims to respond to funding applications within 80 days. I raised this issue with the minister two weeks ago, but as of this morning we are still waiting for an answer." Hansard, Dec. 9, 2020
• Northern Infrastructure: "Many Canadians in my riding, across the territories and in other parts of northern Canada struggle with housing shortages, transportation difficulties and higher costs of goods and services. The north needs serious upgrades to infrastructure and transportation routes to ensure food security and lower the cost of living." Hansard, Sept. 25, 2020

General Issues Raised in the Media

• Long-term boil water advisories on First Nations: "They've shown they can spend billions of dollars to address a crisis in short-notice during this pandemic, and there's no excuse to not have clean drinking water available for every single person living in Canada. That is something we will push them on." Twitter, Oct. 14, 2020

Written Questions

• Q-119, Mercury poisoning issues at the Grassy Narrows – Dec. 9, 2019
• Q-91, Drinking water advisories – Sept. 30, 2020
• Q-92, Nutrition North Canada – Sept. 30, 2020

Private Members' Business

• None.

Biographical information

Born in Meadow Lake, SK, Mr. Vidal was elected to the House of Commons for the first time in 2019.

Prior to his election, Mr. Vidal served as Mayor of Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan from 2011 to 2019. He graduated from Carpenter High School in 1983 and went on to study at the University of Saskatchewan and Briercrest Bible College. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA) and is a partner in the accounting firm Pliska Vidal & Co. where he has been serving clients since 1988. He was also Vice Chair of Saskatchewan City Mayors' Caucus from 2016 to 2018. He was a member of the SaskWater Board of Directors from 2008 to 2017. In this position, he also served as Chair of the Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee, Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee, and Chair of the Board from 2015 to 2017.

Mr. Vidal is currently the CPC critic for Indigenous Services.

Mr. Vidal has volunteered in a variety of leadership capacities in his local church as well as coaching and managing minor hockey, baseball, and soccer teams. In 2012, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Statements on Indigenous Issues

• Indigenous Businesses: "An issue that has become near and dear to me, as I have served in the capacity as shadow minister over the past year, is Indigenous businesses. I strongly believe that without true economic reconciliation, Canada's relationship with Indigenous people will continue to be one of dependence. We need to put our effort and focus on supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs who remain so connected to their nations and allow them to reinvest in their communities to provide real and lasting positive outcomes. That means the Liberals making good on their promise of a 5% procurement target for Indigenous businesses." Hansard, Dec. 3, 2020
• Indigenous Businesses: "We need to ensure that all Canadian businesses have the ability to prosper. With the Indigenous services file, one of the things we are looking for is partnerships between Indigenous communities and industry, allowing Indigenous people to be part of the private sector, to be part of the market so they create economic activity that will help them take care of the very demanding needs in their First Nations communities." Hansard, Jan. 30, 2020
• Indigenous Youth Suicides: "If young people in northern Saskatchewan could look to the people they look up to, their parents, big brothers and sisters, and if they could look to the people they respect and see them succeed by being part of the industry in northern Saskatchewan, they would have hope. With that hope, they would not have to consider suicide as an outcome." Hansard, Jan. 30, 2020

General Issues Raised in Question Period and Committee

• Policing: "Would you agree that, in the context of that percentage of Indigenous people living off reserve in urban centres, declaring First Nation policing as an essential service may not represent the needs of that population as well as it would for some of the people who live out in the reserve settings?" SECU Committee meeting, July 24, 2020
• COVID-19 legislation (Cont): "The standard model for First Nations in Canada to carry on business is through the use of limited partnerships. These limited partnerships operate businesses in all parts of the Canadian economy, including forestry, mining, manufacturing, construction and consumer sales. The effect of the COVID crisis on these companies mirrors that of the general Canadian economy. The brief indicates that this business model will not qualify for either of the amounts of the wage subsidy programs. If First Nations businesses, through their limited partnership models, are excluded from these benefits, I see this as a huge gap in the creation of this wage subsidy." FINA, Apr. 8, 2020
• First Nations consultation: "…Why weren't the provinces consulted or engaged earlier on? The honest heart of the social service minister in Saskatchewan was an honest concern about no child falling through the cracks. Is there an intention to get the provincial departments more involved in the process going forward than they maybe were during the development of the legislation [Bill C-92, child and family services]?" INAN, Feb. 25, 2020

General Issues Raised in the Media

• Indigenous Procurement/COVID-19: "Surprised to hear @ccab_national @BullTabatha tell our #INAN committee that no Indigenous businesses have secured any procurement contracts from the Government to produce PPE's when many are willing and able. The Government needs to do better." Twitter, May 30, 2020
• COVID-19 Tax increases: "Today the Liberal's increased taxes on Canadians AGAIN! During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Justin Trudeau has increased his Carbon Tax, making everything more expensive for Canadians. So my colleagues and I from Saskatchewan wrote to the Minister of Finance, demanding he stop!" Twitter, Apr. 1, 2020
• COVID-19 First Nations elections: "Minister Miller and his department need to be in direct contact with these Nations immediately and provide them clarification. These elections are dangerous and the Government needs to be doing all they can to prevent outbreaks in Indigenous communities." Twitter, Mar. 26, 2020
• Firearms: "Here in Northern Saskatchewan, hunting and sport shooting are a way of life for a lot of people, including my son Alex. This is also an issue we commonly hear about when talking with voters. A Conservative government will protect the rights of law abiding gun owners." Twitter, Sept. 15, 2019

Written Questions

• Q-186, Foreign takeovers and acquisitions of Canadian companies by foreign state-owned enterprises covered by the Investment Canada Regulations and the Investment Canada Act – Jan. 27, 2020
• Q-187, Canadian Armed Forces members serving abroad – Jan. 27, 2020
• Q-296, Commitments made in Budget 2019, Chapter 3 "Advancing Reconciliation" of the Budget Plan 2019 – Feb. 5, 2020
• Q-349, How many visits to First Nations reserves were made by the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, the Minister of Indigenous Services and the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations – Feb. 20, 2020

Private Members' Business

• None.

Biographical information

Born in Barrhead, AB, Mr. Viersen was first elected to the House of Commons in 2015, and again in 2019.

Prior to his election, Mr. Viersen apprenticed as an auto service technician and attained his journeyman ticket from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT). He has also earned a business degree from the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) while continuing his automotive career.

In the 42nd Parliament, Mr. Viersen was the CPC Deputy Critic of Rural Affairs. Since 2015, he has been a member of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs.

Mr. Viersen is involved in a number of parliamentary caucuses; including the Indigenous Affairs Caucus, Outdoor Caucus, and the Pro-Life Caucus. He is also a member of the Canada-Netherlands Parliamentary Friendship Group, Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament and the Parliamentary Friends of the Kurds.

Statements on Indigenous Issues

• UNDRIP: "yesterday, at the northern and aboriginal affairs committee, we had natural resources officials there. We are currently studying Bill C-262, on the implementation of UNDRIP and how all Canadian law is going to have to live within the framework of UNDRIP. We asked the natural resources officials if they had considered whether Bill C-69 lived within that framework, and they had not. That was their answer. I am just wondering if free, prior, and informed consent is to be held at all levels, particularly legislative, but also if the member thinks that Bill C-69 meets that threshold of free, prior, and informed consent." Hansard, Mar. 2, 2018
• First Nations Financial Transparency Act: "The petitioners say that under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, every individual in Canada is equal before and under the law, and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law without discrimination. To this end, they are hoping that the First Nations Financial Transparency Act be enforced to ensure the accountability and transparency of bands to their membership, for the receiving of federal funding so that every head counted in the official First Nations band membership numbers be included and that off-reserve members of the bands, who have been treated as aliens in the past, be included in the disbursement of funds and services. They call upon the Government of Canada to enforce the First Nations Financial Transparency Act to ensure that off-reserve band members get equal levels of service from their bands." Hansard, Nov. 3, 2020
• Bill C-8, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's call to action number 94): "I have the privilege of representing 14 First Nations in northern Alberta, all Cree people who speak Cree…These communities are vibrant. They are surviving very well in northern Alberta due to natural resource development. Many of them have road construction companies. They have logging companies. They have oil service companies. They have been blessed by the abundance of natural resources… While the bill is an important one, it will not necessarily bring the tangible results we are looking for on some of these major issues around employment in First Nations, around drinking water on reserve and around whether the Charter of Rights and Freedoms applies on reserves… When they signed the treaty, they became Canadian. The Charter of Rights, therefore, applies to them. It is a document that they should be able hold their own band leadership to account with, as well as the federal, provincial and municipal governments, depending which government they live under." Hansard, Nov. 23, 2020
• Indigenous Victims of Trafficking: "it is well known that Indigenous women are by far the highest represented victim group in human trafficking in Canada while being only 4% of the women's population in Canada. A 2014 report by the Canadian Women's Foundation established that at least 50% of the female victims of sex trafficking in Canada were Indigenous. In Winnipeg it was more like 70% or 80% and in Edmonton, a city near where I live, 40% to 50% of sex crime victims are Indigenous women." INAN, Mar. 12, 2020

General Issues Raised in Question Period and Committee

• Métis settlements: "You talked about the $50 million that they're looking for in bridge funding. I wonder if you could outline a little around what has happened to the Métis settlements over the last five years, essentially, and where the revenues they normally have been funded with have dried up." INAN, Nov. 26, 2020
• Pipelines: "To get the economy right in northern Alberta, we need pipelines. We need pipelines so that we can get our product to market. We need pipelines so we can get our oil off the railway and our grain on the railway to get it out. We need pipelines so we can get oil off the railway and get our lumber to market on the railway. We need pipelines. We need pipelines. We need pipelines." Hansard, May 2, 2019
• Band election accountability: "One of the concerns that keeps coming out of my riding is around band elections and due process for band members when they feel there is an irregularity or a change of a date, these kinds of things. In one case where there is no quorum because people have resigned from the band council, there's no ability to make quorum anymore and there's an expectation that INAN step in to fill the void. Because at this point they can't make quorum, they can't sign cheques, people aren't getting paid. I'm speaking about Kapawe'no First Nation. What is the process for allaying some of these concerns around due process when it comes to elections?" INAN, Feb. 25, 2020

General Issues Raised in the Media

• COVID-19 Assistance: "We are in this together. Whether you are a farmer, small business owner, oil and gas worker, front-line worker, or student - if you need assistance or help - please contact my office. We are here to help you get through this." Twitter, Apr. 15, 2020
• Online sexual exploitation: "Parents must remain vigilant when it comes to the online activities of their children. As young people spend more time online during this time of confinement, the risks of online sexual exploitation increase." Twitter, Apr. 14, 2020

Written Questions

• Q-113, New "For Glowing Hearts" logo unveiled by Destination Canada – Jan. 27, 2020
• Q-112, Government's participation in the UN Climate Change Conference COP 25 in Madrid, Spain, in December 2019 – Jan. 27, 2020
• Q-111, Government purchases of tickets or passes for Canada 2020 events during 2019
• Q-110, Total amount of late-payment charges for telephone services since June 1, 2018 – Jan. 27, 2020

Private Members' Business

• M-45 (National Human Trafficking Awareness Day) (Motion placed on notice August 10, 2020).
• C-463 (Putting Victims First Act) (Bill introduced and read for the first time in the House of Commons, June 19, 2019) – An Act to amend the Criminal Code (orders of prohibition and orders restricting publication).
• M-212 (National Human Trafficking Awareness Day) (Motion Placed on Notice, Feb. 20, 2019) - That, in the opinion of the House, the government should encourage Canadians to raise awareness of the magnitude of modern day slavery in Canada and abroad and to take steps to combat human trafficking, and should do so by designating the 22nd day of February each year as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, to coincide with the anniversary of the unanimous declaration of the House on February 22, 2007, to condemn all forms of human trafficking and slavery.
• M-47 (Instruction to the Standing Committee on Health (Violent and Sexual Online Material)) (Motion Agreed To, Dec. 6, 2016) - That the Standing Committee on Health be instructed to examine the public health effects of the ease of access and viewing of online violent and degrading sexually explicit material on children, women and men, recognizing and respecting the provincial and territorial jurisdictions in this regard, and that the said Committee report its findings to the House no later than July 2017.

Biographical information

Born in Brampton, ON, Mr. Schmale was elected to the House of Commons for the first time in 2015, and again in 2019.

Prior to his election to, Mr. Schmale he served as the executive assistant and campaign manager for former Conservative MP Barry Devolin (Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock, Ontario). He graduated from the Radio Broadcasting program at Loyalist College in Ontario, and started his career as a news anchor. He later became news director for CHUM media.

Mr. Schmale served as critic for Crown-Indigenous Relations under Andrew Scheer's leadership. Following the election of Erin O'Toole as CPC leader, he was appointed critic for Families, Children, and Social Development. On February 10, 2021, during a CPC critic shuffle, he was re-appointed critic for Crown-Indigenous Relations.

During his time as critic for Families, Children, and Social Development (2020), he was a member of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA).

In the 42nd Parliament, Mr. Schmale served as the opposition critic for Northern Economic Development, and Deputy Critic for Natural Resources. He was a member of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (2015-2017) and the Standing Committee on Natural Resources (2017-2019).

Statements on Indigenous Issues

• UNDRIP: "… we keep saying that we approve of the aspirational part of UNDRIP and of Bill C-15… What we are opposing and questioning, which is no secret, is the lack of due diligence in putting forward this legislation without coming to a common understanding of what free, prior and informed consent actually means." Hansard, Feb. 17, 2021
• Development: "… we … are deeply disappointed that the Prime Minister, who campaigned on a promise of reconciliation with Indigenous communities, blatantly would allow and choose to deny our 31 First Nations and Métis communities their constitutionally-protected right to economic development….We aspire to help the world meet its energy needs and move to ever-cleaner fuel sources. We aim to reduce our carbon footprint. We want Indigenous reconciliation and long-term partnership. And we hope to maintain the standard of living we have come to enjoy. But without a balanced approach to harnessing our energy future, all of this is at risk." Hansard, Apr. 9, 2019
• Water Quality in Indigenous Communities: "The minister's department [CIRNAC] and the Parliamentary Budget Officer are at odds over the true cost to get water and wastewater in Indigenous communities up to the same standards as the rest of Canada." Hansard, Dec. 9, 2019

General Issues Raised in Question Period and Committee

• COVID-19, rural communities: "more than one million tourism-related employees have been laid off. Summer festivals all over the country are being cancelled. Kids' camps are closed. For many restaurants, a recent study is telling us that the pandemic is going to devastate the industry. In rural communities, mom and pop businesses are being told to close, yet big-box stores are allowed to open. Rural Canadians are told to work from home, yet internet and cellular service is sketchy at best. Rural communities are going to be the hardest hit and, in many cases, the slowest to recover." Hansard, May 26, 2020
• COVID-19: "The Indigenous services minister stated that his department sent packages of PPE supplies to First Nations across Canada. However, there are still First Nations communities that are reporting little access to this life-saving equipment. Can the minister report on how many First Nations communities are still waiting for their PPE?" Hansard, Apr. 20, 2020
• Domestic Violence: "But as many of you mentioned in your testimony [COVID-19 self-isolation measures], it didn't take into account the women and children who face domestic abuse. There has been some recognition of this by the federal government. Some of you, in your comments and your testimony, said that more needs to be done." INAN, May 15, 2020
• Indigenous housing: "This housing issue hasn't just started today, it's been going on for decades, so what is being done…? I know you mentioned what the government's doing, but what is the schedule to get these units built and actually functioning so you don't have these overcrowded situations." INAN, Feb. 25, 2020

General Issues Raised in the Media

• Armed Forces: "Thank you to the men and women who serve or have served in our Navy, Army, and Air Force. Your dedication to your country and the Canadian Armed Forces is inspiring. I join all Canadians in saying 'Thank you' today." Twitter, June 7, 2020
• Firearms: "After all, if you want to stop increasing gun crime, the answer lies in tackling criminals and gangs, not punishing law abiding gun owners." Twitter, Jan. 31, 2020

Written Questions

• Q-193, Classified or protected documents since January 1, 2019 – Jan. 27, 2020
• Q-188, Veterans Affairs Canada service standard of 16 weeks for decisions in relation to disability benefits applications – Jan. 27, 2020
• Q-172, Purchase of carbon offset credits by the government – Jan. 27, 2020

Private Members' Business

• None.

Biographical information

Ms. Bérubé was first elected to the House of Commons in 2019.

Prior to her election, Ms. Bérubé she spent 30 years with the CISSS de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue in human resources and information. She also acted as the Director of the social committee at l'Hôpital de Val-d'Or, administrator for Taxibus, was a member of the information security association of Québec, and was President of the Parti Québécois d'Abitibi-Est.

Ms. Bérubé is currently the critic for Indigenous Affairs.

Statements on Indigenous Issues

• Key Indigenous issues: "Can we acknowledge the clear link between the spread of COVID-19 and the sanitary conditions of First Nations? Can we pass a bill to give effect to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples? Can we adopt framework legislation to replace the First Nations policing policy? Can we deploy resources to ensure this is carried on in the daily practice, languages, culture and traditions of Indigenous peoples? Can we fix the way Indigenous schools operate to address the education crisis?" Hansard, Oct. 6, 2020
• Housing: "I want to point out that we need to implement a five-year plan to build 8,000 housing units for First Nations in Québec. Does the government have an update on that?" Hansard, Oct. 5, 2020
• MMIWG: "For the sake of all the missing and murdered women, we need to move forward with solutions, such as immediately implementing the recommendations set out in the report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls." Hansard, Oct. 5, 2020
• Wet'suwet'en Protests: "With every day that this crisis goes on, our economy suffers even more. This crisis is affecting workers and ordinary folks. Just look at the number of CN employees who have been temporarily laid off because of the rail blockade. If nothing is done right now, many more employees will join their ranks." Hansard, Feb. 20, 2020

General Issues Raised in Question Period and Committee

• Boil water advisories: "Je représente la circonscription de Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou et, actuellement, il y a des situations qui dégénèrent relativement à l'accès à l'eau potable et aussi en matière de logement. Vous dites que vous avez un groupe de travail mixte composé de l'Assemblée des Premières Nations. Qui, parmi les Premières Nations, siège au comité du groupe mixte?" INAN, Feb. 25, 2020
• Québec Infrastructure: "Need to invest in transportation, telecommunications, airport infrastructure investments; transport of dangerous goods by rail ignored by Ottawa." Hansard, Jan. 28, 2020
• Housing: "Large mining sector in riding causing housing shortage, need investments in water and sewer systems." Hansard, Jan. 28, 2020

General Issues Raised in the Media

• Quebec-Federal Relations: "It's never easy with the federal government. We send money to Ottawa that we could keep here and the federal government puts obstacles in the wheels of Québec." Lecitoyenvaldoramos.com, July 1, 2019
• Quebec Issues: "On ne sera jamais aussi bien servis que par nous-mêmes. Plusieurs dossiers du fédéral m'agacent, dont la couverture internet, le financement de logement social, l'inaction concernant la Loi sur les Indiens et la taxe sur le bois d'œuvre qui affecte notre région." Lecitoyenvaldoramos.com, July 1, 2019

Written Questions

• Q-389, Consultations that the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations is currently holding in order to develop an action plan to implement the 231 calls for justice of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls – Mar. 5, 2020
• Q-390, Drinking water situation in Kitigan Zibi – Mar. 5, 2020
• Q-397 — UNDRIP – Feb. 15, 2021

Private Members' Business

• C-223 (An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (adequate knowledge of French in Québec)) Bill introduced and read for the first time in the House of Commons, Feb. 25, 2020. Reinstated from the previous session, Sept. 23, 2020.

Biographical information

Ms. Blaney was first elected to the House of Commons in 2015 and again in 2019.

Prior to her election, Ms. Blaney was a non-profit professional. She was the Executive Director of the Immigrant Welcome Centre of North Vancouver Island.

Ms. Blaney is currently the Whip for the NDP and Spokesperson on Veteran's Issues.

She previously sat on INAN and was a Vice-Chair during the 42nd Parliament from May 28, 2018 until Parliament was dissolved.

Statements on Indigenous Issues

• UNDRIP/Reconciliation: "one of the concerns I have is that this is the 94th call to action. With the passing of the bill before us, that would mean 10 of the 94 calls to action would have been implemented, which is very slow. I am also concerned that the government is now dragging its feet on moving forward with legislation around the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. I wonder if the member could speak to how long reconciliation needs to take with the current government in power." Hansard, Feb. 24, 2020
• MMIWG: "That is why I have brought this serious issue forward. It is because so many families across this country want to see action now. They want to see preventative measures so that this does not happen again, when again and again, what we see are Indigenous women and girls murdered or missing, and not found. I also think it is important to recognize that all of these communities are coming together across Canada to get these voices heard. The red dress campaign continues to be a fight, but we want to see action, and we want to see the inquiry action items actually put into place. I am hoping to hear from the government today that there will finally be action." Hansard, Oct. 8, 2020
• Bill C-14, Economic Statement Implementation Act 2020: "All of this really fits into the reason I put forward my Motion No. 53, principles for a sustainable and equitable future, in the fall. This motion requires the government to equitably distribute funds and programming among federal ridings and take into account UNDRIP, climate change and the prioritization of projects by small businesses that create diversity in local, long-term, well-paying jobs, because that is how we keep profits and benefits within the community." Hansard, Jan. 26, 2021
• Housing: "I am still waiting for the Indigenous national housing strategy that the government said it would provide years ago. When I look at the numerous urban Indigenous communities that exist across the country, I can see that they need housing desperately. This is a huge gap in supports and services. It is heartbreaking when children are taken from their families, sometimes incredibly strong families, simply because they do not have adequate housing. Putting in a bill that we will not do that is not enough. Children should be kept safe: all children should be recognized and Indigenous communities, both off and on reserve, need the housing. We have to stop dithering. We have to take action." Hansard, Oct. 23, 2020

General Issues Raised in Question Period and Committee

• Public Transportation: "There are a lot of rural, remote and Indigenous communities in my riding that need accessible transportation. This has been an ongoing challenge. As we look at recovery, making sure people can get to their appointments and get out of their communities for opportunities, health and many other concerns is pivotal, so I hope to see some support for this." Hansard, Jan. 26, 2021
• Bill C-7 (An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying)): "When we talk about the subject, the most important thing is the unnecessary suffering. We need to end that, not only for the person experiencing it but for the pressure of watching their loved ones go through that unnecessary suffering." Hansard, Oct. 9, 2020
• Veterans: "The veterans minister seems to be okay telling 45,000 veterans in this country that they can wait another two and a half years to see their disability applications completed. Last week, the PBO provided a plan to get this done in one year and make sure this never happens again to our veterans. Instead of focusing on helping them, the Liberals spent over $200,000 in legal fees defending a Liberal minister and attacking a veteran. When will the government stand up for veterans and make sure that it is spending the money on the people who stood up to protect us in this country?" Hansard, Oct. 7, 2020

General Issues Raised in the Media

• Speech from the Throne (Veterans): "Veterans are so far down this government's list of priorities they didn't even mention them in the speech that was over an hour long. Our service men and women give so much for this country. They are there when we need them, whether it's helping to keep our loved ones safe in long-term care homes during a pandemic or supporting our allies overseas. Our veterans deserve much better from this government." Powell River Peak, Sept. 24, 2020
• Sterilization of Indigenous women: "This is more than just a gross violation of human rights and a product of systemic racism." "This is enough, enough apologies, enough talking points. How will this government make sure this never happens again?" "It's hard to find language to wrap around even the thought of one story of the woman who had given birth and they said, 'you cannot see your newborn child until you agree to being sterilized,'" "Imagine any Canadian woman thinking that's an okay conversation after you've just given birth. This story is horrifying. It's inhumane and it really goes against the rights of all Canadians." Powell River Peak, Nov. 24, 2018

Written Questions

• None.

Private Members' Business

• M-53 (Principles for a Sustainable and Equitable Future) (Motion placed on Notice – November 12, 2020) – That: (a) the House recognize and honour that, (i) Canada, as a nation, has a rich history of resource-dependent rural communities providing the economic prosperity many Canadians have benefited from, (ii) this prosperity has often been at the expense of or specifically excluded local Indigenous peoples and communities, (iii) the future of these resource-dependent communities is at risk due to climate change, the movement of rural residents to urban centres, the loss of ecological diversity and integrity, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, (iv) the majority of the landscape in Canada is remote and sparsely populated and rural communities are crucial in our understanding and management of localized climate change impacts; and (b) in the opinion of the House, for all federal COVID-19 relief and recovery funding, programming and legislation, the government should abide by the following principles: (i) be in harmony with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, (ii) it be applied and distributed equitably by federal riding, geographic region, and province or territory, (iii) prioritize and incentivize projects that reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions or waste, (iv) prioritize and incentivize initiatives that improve the water-retentive capacities of soils and that facilitate the recharge of groundwaters, (v) prioritize and incentivize projects that can be built and managed by local businesses and agencies to create a diversity of local, long-term, well-paying employment opportunities and small business initiatives that keep profits and benefits within the community.
• M-224 (Guaranteed Income Supplement) (Motion placed on Notice – March 28, 2019)- That, in the opinion of the House, the government should consider helping seniors who risk having their Guaranteed Income Supplement benefits suspended by amending the Old Age Security Act to: (a) require the Minister of Employment and Social Development to estimate the income of a pensioner who was unable to make the required statement for up to one year so that the most vulnerable Canadian seniors can have a reliable, secure income; and (b) require the Minister to provide the information and resources necessary to reduce the administrative burden on the pensioner with respect to declaring their income so that daunting paperwork prevents no one from accessing the services they need and are entitled to by Canadian law.
• C-449 (An Act to amend the Old Age Security Act (monthly guaranteed income supplement)) (Bill introduced and read for the first time in the House of Commons, May 16, 2019).
• C-325 (An Act to amend the Canadian Bill of Rights (right to housing)) (Bill introduced and read for the first time in the House of Commons, Dec. 5, 2016).