Appearance before the Committee of the Whole: 2021-2022 Supplementary Estimates (B) - December 7-8, 2021

Opening Remarks

Hon. Marc Miller

Madam Chair, hello, kwe, tansi, unusakut.

I want to start this speech by acknowledging that we are here today on the unceded traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people. I am pleased to be here with my colleagues today to discuss the 2021-22 supplementary estimates (B) for the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.

Joining me today from the department is my deputy minister, Daniel Quan-Watson. He is not in the House with deputy Lucas, but he is here, in any event, in the corridors, passing me messages furiously as the case may be.

Having spent two years as Minister of Indigenous Services Canada, where we as a cabinet faced daily what is, let us hope, a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, I look forward to continuing this work as Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations. This department is at the forefront of Canada's efforts to re-establish a nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown and government-to-government relationship between Canada, first nations, Inuit and Métis.

We are also changing the way we work within the department in partnership with indigenous peoples, in order to better support communities across the country as they assert their right to self-determination. This work is critical to building a new type of relationship with indigenous peoples based on the recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership.

The 2021-22 supplementary estimates (B) include investments of over one billion dollars toward key initiatives that are priorities for our government. Of that amount, $973.9 million is for Crown-Indigenous relations and $57.5 million is attributed to Northern Affairs. The majority of these funds for Crown-Indigenous relations will be used to settle claims and litigation, to support infrastructure projects in indigenous communities, and to implement the federal pathway to address missing and murdered indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. We have made these areas a priority and have dedicated substantial resources to supporting them.

Resolving and settling claims that involve historic grievances of wrongs committed by the Crown is at the heart of our mandate, and as a department it is our goal to do so in a respectful manner and in equal partnership across the negotiating table. These claims need to be addressed for us to move forward together. They can often relate to lands that were appropriated by settlers and that hold sacred meaning for indigenous communities. Returning land is essential for communities to make their own plans according to their priorities.

Settling litigation outside the courts, especially class actions related to historic harms committed against indigenous children, is essential to address the legacy of colonial policies and the ongoing unwritten chapter in taking meaningful steps toward reconciliation with those who continue to feel the impacts.

Too many indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people are still being harmed today, and we must continue to do everything we can to stop that now. We are accelerating the work with indigenous partners in provinces and territories to address this national tragedy. The federal pathway is our government's response to the final report of the national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. It is also part of a national action plan launched this year with partners to address this important issue.

The federal pathway is key to restoring a sense of justice for those who have been lost and have gone missing, for those who have survived, and for families and healing for communities. Our government will continue to work with partners on our collective way forward to address the root causes of missing and murdered indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. This includes strengthening relationships with indigenous partners and provincial and territorial governments to bring accountability to this work and accountability for the Government of Canada to uphold this role in Canadian society.

More especially in regard to the claims, the $412.2 million that is already allocated to the specific claims settlement fund will be reprofiled in 2022-23. This will ensure that these funds continue to be available for the payment of compensation to first nations under specific claims settlements while concluding the outstanding legal obligations of the federal government.

As the pace of negotiations is directly defined by the priorities of each community and group, it is difficult to predict exactly when they will be completed, but it is the need of this government to accelerate things.

(2105)

The fund was specifically set up with the flexibility to adapt to the evolving time frames of negotiations so that money not spent in a particular year can be moved to a future year, as needed.

The supplementary estimates (B) also provide $211.2 million to support the Gottfriedson day scholar settlement. Through this settlement, Canada will provide $10,000 to each eligible survivor class member for the experience of attending a residential school during the day. This settlement includes a $50-million fund to the day school revitalization society, which will be a survivor-led organization focusing on healing, wellness, education, language, culture and commemoration activities. Funding sought will include administration and legal costs, obviously for the settlement.

The supplementary estimates (B) also include $3 million to support the government's ongoing commitment to resolving indigenous childhood claims litigation outside of the courts. The estimates this year provide $231.4 million of new funding for the distinctions-based indigenous community infrastructure fund announced in budget 2021. The goal of this fund is to contribute to the closing of the infrastructure gap in indigenous communities by 2030, along with other ministries tasked with closing that gap.

This funding also aims to advance self-determination and self-governance, create good jobs and build healthier, safer and more prosperous indigenous communities. It will support the essential indigenous-led infrastructure and development needs specifically of Inuit, Métis, self-governing and modern treaty nations and northern indigenous communities.

I am thankful for the opportunity to share the important work that Crown-Indigenous Relations carries out. What we are doing is important for so many indigenous communities across this country, from addressing the root causes of violence against indigenous women and girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people to settling land claims and closing infrastructure gaps. These activities will build stronger, safer and healthier indigenous communities from coast to coast to coast.

I look forward to answering any questions the House may have.

Meegwetch. Nakurmiik. Marsi cho.

Supplementary Estimates

November 2021

Supplementary Estimates presents information to Parliament on Government of Canada spending requirements not sufficiently developed in time for inclusion in the Main Estimates. Supplementary Estimates (B) are the second estimates for 2021–22.

Eligible items are:

• Requirements that are expected to be approved by or before the last Treasury Board meeting available for Supplementary Estimates (B), which is currently scheduled for November 15;
• Reprofiles;
• Transfers between Votes within the organization and between organizations;
• Increases to existing grants that are to be funded within the Vote; and
• Increases to vote-netted revenues.

If pressed on funding for Specific Claim Settlement Fund (100 words)

• The reprofile of $412.2 million for the Specific Claims Settlement Fund (SCSF) will be used to provide compensation to First Nations to discharge the outstanding legal obligations of the federal government.
• As the progress of negotiations are directly affected by the interests and efforts of separate parties, it is difficult to forecast with accuracy the timeframe for their completion.
• The Fund was set up with the flexibility to adapt to the evolving timeframes of negotiations such that monies not spent in a particular year can be moved to a future year when it is anticipated they are required.

If pressed on funding for infrastructure in Indigenous communities

• Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $231.4 million of new funding for a distinctions-based Indigenous Community Infrastructure Fund with the objective of contributing to Canada's commitment to closing the infrastructure gap in Indigenous communities by 2030.
  • Of this amount, $3.0 million is for Northern Affairs for the Northern Indigenous communities in the Northwest Territories to address their immediate short-term priority Infrastructure and housing needs.
• This funding aims to close infrastructure gaps in Indigenous communities, advance self-determination and self-governance, and create good jobs and build healthier, safer, and more prosperous Indigenous communities.
• It will support essential Indigenous-led infrastructure needs development for Inuit, Métis, Self-Governing and Modern Treaty communities, and northern Indigenous communities.

If pressed on funding for the partial settlement of Gottfriedson (Indian Residential Schools Day Scholars) litigation and in support of Indigenous Childhood Claims Litigation management (77 words)

• Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $212.2 million of new funding to settle in part the Gottfriedson class action.
• The partial settlement provides $10,000 in compensation to each eligible Survivor class member.
• The settlement also includes $50 million to establish the Day Scholars Revitalization Society, which will help support healing, wellness, education, language, culture, heritage and commemoration for Survivors and Descendants.
• Canada is pleased with this important step forward on the journey of reconciliation and healing with Indigenous Peoples.

If pressed on funding for the First Nations Finance Authority (45 words)

• Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $33.4 million of new funding to implement the First Nations Finance Authority's Emergency Fund and Commercial Paper Program.
• This will support First Nation borrowers during the lingering impact of COVID-19 and will provide a permanent solution to further strengthen the pooled borrowing regime under the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, which ensures access to low interest rate financing for First Nation's infrastructure and economic development needs; and supporting the First Nations Finance Authority to become increasingly financially self-sufficient over time.

If pressed on funding to implement the Federal Pathway response to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (92 words)

• Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $32.7 million of new funding to support Canada's commitments to responding to the recommendations of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
• These proposed funds will contribute to the implementation of the National Action Plan and Federal Pathway.
• A key element of the National Action Plan is the new Cultural Spaces in Indigenous Community Program. Launched in August 2021, the program is expected to provide $20 million in new funding to support the re-establishment and revitalization of Indigenous cultural spaces with a specific focus on Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

If pressed on funding to meet Canada's implementation obligations for comprehensive land claims, self-government and sectoral agreements in Yukon, British Columbia, Quebec and Atlantic (30 words)

• Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $7.2 million of new funding to regularize ongoing funding associated with existing comprehensive land claims, self-government and sectoral agreements in Yukon, British Columbia, Quebec and Atlantic.
• There are several initiatives of which the funding requested will support: funding to meet ongoing financial obligations stemming from the Yukon Environment and Socio-economic Assessment Act, the Naskapi and the Cree-Naskapi Commission Act and the Mi'kmaq Education Act; implementation obligations as contained within the Tsawwassen First Nation and the Maa-Nulth First Nations Self-Government Agreements; and authority to renew funding arrangements with the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach.

If pressed on funding for the management of Childhood Claims litigation (91)

• Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $3.0 million of new funding to address immediate pressures for the management of Indigenous Childhood Claims Litigation.
• The Government of Canada has committed to resolving claims related to historic abuses suffered by Indigenous children outside of the courts, wherever possible. This funding will support the department as it works collaboratively with survivors and their counsel to move these claims outside of the courts and towards resolution.
• Resolution of litigation will also assist the Department in continuing to mitigate some of the significant contingent liability against the Crown.

If pressed on internal funding provided to the department to implement an Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families (66 words)

• Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $3.4 million of new funding to implement An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families.
• This additional operating funding will ultimately support the national principles of best interests of children, cultural continuity and substantive equality.
• These additional resources will allow us to actively engage with interested groups seeking to advance child and family services coordination agreement discussions.

If pressed on funding for the Yukon's Climate Change Priorities

• Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $25.0 million of new funding through Budget 2021 to support the Government of Yukon's implementation of their climate change priorities.
• The Government of Yukon's climate change strategy, entitled Our Clean Future: A Yukon strategy for climate change, will enable the Government of Yukon to reduce Yukon's greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030 (compared to emissions in 2010), ensure that Yukoners have access to reliable, affordable and renewable energy, adapt to the impacts of climate change, and build a green economy.

If pressed on funding for transitioning diesel-reliant Indigenous communities onto clean energy

• Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $6.0 million of new funding to establish a new Indigenous and remote communities clean energy hub, designed to streamline community access to clean energy funding and support them as they transition away from fossil fuels.
• The Hub will deliver $300 million identified in Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, to advance the Government's commitment to ensure that rural, remote and Indigenous communities that currently rely on diesel have the opportunity to be powered by clean, reliable energy by 2030.

If pressed on funding for hydroelectricity and grid interconnection projects in the North

• Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $13.4 million of new funding through Budget 2021 to support planning and feasibility of hydroelectricity and grid interconnection projects in the North, readying them for construction and enabling to access to large-scale and private sector capital.
• The hydroelectricity and grid connection projects in the territories and Inuit Nunangat can have a transformative role in transitioning northern and Indigenous communities away from diesel and offer a unique opportunity to advance Indigenous Climate Leadership and self-determination.

If pressed on funding for the Nutrition North Canada Program

• Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $10.3 million of reprofiled funding to support the program's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• This funding will ensure CIRNAC can meet its obligations with respect to Nutrition North Canada demand driven retail subsidy program which subsidizes nutritious food and other essential items in northern isolated communities.
• In 2020-21, Nutrition North Canada provided over 42 million kg of subsidized food and essential items to isolated northern communities.
• This represented an increase of roughly 10 million kg, or 30 percent, from the previous year. It also equals the total net growth of the first nine years of the program, which was established in 2011.