Committee
Consult the user guide
For assistance, please contact us
Consult the user guide
For assistance, please contact us
Add search criteria
Results: 1 - 15 of 430
Glenn Purves
View Glenn Purves Profile
Glenn Purves
2019-06-12 16:35
Thank you very much, Chair, and thank you to committee members. Good afternoon.
I'll be as brief as I can to allow for as much time for questions as possible.
Again, thank you for inviting us today to speak about the estimates. The main estimates present financial requirements for the 2019-20 fiscal year, including but not in addition to the amounts already shown in the interim estimates.
Part I of the document, the Government Expenditure Plan, gives an overview of spending requirements for 2019-20 and comparisons to previous fiscal years.
Part II, the departmental Main Estimates, provides information on planned spending by each federal organization requesting authority through the appropriation bill.
Additional details are available online, including forecasts of statutory spending, allocations from Treasury Board central votes, and expenditures by program or purpose.
Finally, I would remind the committee that the Government of Canada Infobase is also available to provide you with more information on authorities and expenditures.
Mr. Chair, the main estimates for 2019-20 present a total of $299.6 billion in planned budgetary expenditures. Of this amount, $125.6 billion is for voted expenditures, while $174 billion is forecast to be spent under statutory authorities.
Of the $125.6 billion in voted spending, the largest departments are the Department of National Defence, at $20.5 billion; the Department of Indigenous Services Canada, at $12.2 billion; Treasury Board Secretariat, at $7 billion; the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, at $6.9 billion; and the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, at $6.4 billion.
Voted expenditures are approximately $12.7 billion higher than the previous main estimates, including $6 billion for budget 2019 initiatives.
The increase in voted expenditures also reflects funding decisions made prior to budget 2019, including additional funding to settle outstanding claims, advance reconciliation and improve services and infrastructure in indigenous communities; the ramping up of infrastructure spending under the investing in Canada plan and the new building Canada fund, as well as the Gordie Howe International Bridge; increased capital spending for Canadian Coast Guard ships and VIA Rail trains; and increased funding to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect species and habitat.
Of the $174 billion in statutory spending, the largest components are benefits for the elderly, at $56.2 billion; the Canada health transfer, at $40.4 billion; public debt charges, at $24.7 billion; fiscal equalization, at $19.8 billion; and the Canada social transfer, at $14.6 billion.
The estimates do not include payments from the employment insurance operating account or expenditures legislated through the Income Tax Act, such as the Canada child benefit.
In terms of individual departments, four have increases of over $3 billion in comparison to last year's main estimates.
For the Department of Finance, the $5 billion increase relates to a $2.1 billion increase in interest on unmatured debt due to the upward revision of forecasted interest rates by private sector economists, and increases in the Canada health transfer, fiscal equalization and the Canada social transfer.
The Office of Infrastructure of Canada sees a $4.6 billion increase, due mostly to an additional $2.2 billion through the gas tax fund to address short-term priorities in municipalities and first nation communities as announced in budget 2019, and an increase in $2.1 billion in contributions under the investing in Canada plan, the P3 Canada fund and the new building Canada plan.
The Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development increase of $3.9 billion relates to settlements for federal day schools, the sixties scoop and specific claims.
The $3.8 billion year-over-year increase for the Department of Employment and Social Development relates primarily to a $2.8 billion increase in benefits to the elderly, due to changes in the average monthly rate and in the number of beneficiaries. The department also has a total of $333 million in budget 2019 funding for a wide range of initiatives.
There is one particularly significant decrease, $6.6 billion, for Treasury Board Secretariat, which relates to the one-year funding of budget 2018 initiatives across the government.
With that, Mr. Chair, I will hand it over to you for questions.
View Ron Liepert Profile
CPC (AB)
I just want to raise one issue. It follows up on the testimony we had from the department of—and I'm probably going to get this wrong—Indigenous Services, with Ms. Ferland. I'm not going to read the whole thing, but in part of the exchange, Ms. Ferland referred to the interactive map. Our member, Mr. Doherty, asked if this was information she might be able to provide to the committee in a more concise document, and her response was, “Absolutely.”
Unfortunately, what we got from the department was a map. I think the department needs to provide something more, based on Ms. Ferland's commitment to this committee.
There was a second item I was going to raise.
View Judy A. Sgro Profile
Lib. (ON)
There were five different requests for information from the Indigenous Services folks who were before us. The only one they have submitted so far is the map. Yes, we will follow up with the folks from Indigenous Services and ask that this be done, like, yesterday, because that was two weeks ago already. We'd like to have it before the House rises so that the members have that information.
Keith Conn
View Keith Conn Profile
Keith Conn
2019-06-06 8:47
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Good morning. Thank you for inviting us to appear before the committee to discuss the critical issue of mercury contamination, which is continuing to affect the community of Grassy Narrows.
Before I continue, I'd like to acknowledge that we are meeting on the unceded traditional territory of the Algonquin people.
To start, I'll give a brief history of mercury contamination that has impacted the community of Asubpeeschoseewagong, also known as Grassy Narrows. In 1970, it was discovered that there was a high level of mercury in the English-Wabigoon river system. The contamination was traced to an area pulp and paper mill, found to have been dumping effluent containing high levels of mercury into the water system for a number of years.
The communities of Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong First Nation, known as Whitedog, were deeply impacted, with much of the population of both communities having varying degrees of mercury exposure.
In 1986, two pulp and paper mill companies, together with the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario, paid a total of $16.67 million, in a one-time compensation payment to the two communities.
The same year, the provincial and federal governments established a Mercury Disability Board to oversee the administration of a trust fund from which benefits are paid to those showing symptoms of mercury poisoning. Indigenous Services Canada continues to recognize the importance of the ongoing work the Mercury Disability Board does for the people of Grassy Narrows First Nation and Wabaseemoong Independent Nation.
The branch I oversee—the first nations and Inuit health branch—which fell within the purview of Health Canada prior to the announcement of the creation of Indigenous Services Canada, has had historical involvement in evaluation of the human health impacts of mercury contamination in the English-Wabigoon river system, and has been providing primary care and public health services to the community for decades. Primary health care, treatment and community-based services, including mental wellness programming and medical transportation, are currently provided to Grassy Narrows through nurses.
Since 1970, our department has been investigating and supporting assessments of the impacts of mercury contamination on the residents of Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong, which has included hair and blood sampling of community members, and monitoring and funding of environmental studies, as requested by the community.
Indigenous Services Canada has recently been working closely with Dr. Donna Mergler, a prominent environmental health researcher selected by the community of Grassy Narrows and funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, to support the investigation of the long-term health impacts of historic mercury exposure.
We also provided funding in 2018-19 for an expert panel to review medical and scientific evidence that will inform the Mercury Disability Board. The work is well under way, and expected to conclude, with recommendations, by the end of 2019-20.
While the legacy of mercury poisoning impacts all the families in Grassy Narrows, the needs and aspirations of the community are not uniform. We need to support the whole community—children, youth, adults and the elderly population. We acknowledge that the community has been directly and indirectly impacted by mercury poisoning. Regardless of the underlying causes, we are working, and will continue to work with Grassy Narrows' leadership and first nations' partners to support improvements to the health and well-being of all community members.
This is why, on November 29, 2017, in a meeting with Grassy Narrows First Nation, the Governments of Ontario and Canada committed to fund the design, construction and operation of a mercury treatment centre in Grassy Narrows. We continue to work closely with Grassy Narrows and remain steadfast in our commitments to build a health facility that supports the unique needs of the community.
Early in 2018, funding was provided to the community to complete a feasibility study. Departmental officials have been working and meeting with Grassy Narrows' technical advisers to advance the project. The province has recently become engaged in this discussion and has committed to supply services that fall within its responsibility, such as physicians, specialists and allied health professionals.
It's imperative that Canada, Ontario and Grassy Narrows' leadership work together to ensure that the community receives the supports required.
As you are aware, the Minister of Indigenous Services recently met with Grassy Narrows' leadership to discuss a memorandum of agreement on an approach that addresses the unique health needs of the community members of Grassy Narrows First Nation.
This agreement has not yet been signed. “Yet” is the key word. As the minister commented earlier this week before this committee, this is part of the negotiations. The government is committed to reaching an agreement that will meet the community needs. We will continue working with Chief Turtle and his council until we agree on a solution that meets the health needs of Grassy Narrows now and in the longer term.
In closing, Madam Chair, by collaborating with the community in Ontario on this innovative project, Indigenous Services Canada will continue to demonstrate its firm commitment to advancing reconciliation and improving the socio-economic and health outcomes of indigenous peoples.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Tom Wong
View Tom Wong Profile
Tom Wong
2019-06-06 9:01
Thank you very much for the question.
My expertise is in the domain of medicine and public health. I will actually turn to my colleague, Susan Humphrey, from ECCC, to comment on the environmental sources of the mercury contamination. As Susan had talked about, there is a strong interest among the entire Canadian community to identify this source and for the Government of Ontario to address the issue.
Susan.
Jennifer Mercer
View Jennifer Mercer Profile
Jennifer Mercer
2019-06-06 9:30
You're right. There's over 50 years of historical data in approximately 100 banker boxes. This data is owned by the individuals who were tested. This personal medical information has been released to the individuals who were tested. If you have an individual who, for example, was born to a mother whose cord blood was tested at the time of birth, the cord blood data was released to the mother.
Throughout the past 50 years, we've had ongoing requests from community members to get access to their personal medical information. I've been in the position for about two years, and I've had 40 or 50 individuals who have asked for their personal medical information. That information has been released upon request to the individual, or, depending on how they sign the consent, to the person with whom they want to share the information, such as a researcher or a physician. It is an individual's personal medical information.
That said, since, I think, the mid-1970s, upon request by researchers who had the support of the community, we have been releasing this data, and this data has been going to the researchers in a de-identifiable format. That means it doesn't have a date of birth or a name. You cannot identify who the individual is, but we have been releasing that data when requested.
We need to make sure that we protect individuals' personal medical information, and we have to respect the Privacy Act. If we released data without the appropriate measures in place, we'd be not in keeping with the Privacy Act.
View MaryAnn Mihychuk Profile
Lib. (MB)
Good morning. Welcome, Minister.
We are the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs, the 42nd Parliament. Pursuant to standing order 81(4), main estimates 2019-20, vote 1 under Canadian High Arctic Research Station, votes 1, 5, 10, L15, L20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 55 under the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 and 65 under the Department of Indigenous Services Canada be referred to the committee on Thursday, April 11, 2019.
Before we start, we always recognize that we are on the unceded territory of the Algonquin people. Four hundred years ago when settlers arrived, our indigenous members welcomed Canadians—the foreigners, the settlers—to Canada and have continued to be patient and understanding. Unfortunately, we've seen that their generosity has been met with apartheid, genocide and programs that have really hurt their people.
We have change in the winds, with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Yesterday we received the report on missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. It was an extensive review, with many challenges and changes recommended. We look forward to being part of the positive change, to change our legacy as Canadians and take positive steps on reforming what has been a dark history.
Welcome to the minister and all department staff. We appreciate your being here. I know that the minister has opening remarks and that members have questions.
Go ahead whenever you're ready, Minister.
View Seamus O'Regan Profile
Lib. (NL)
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'm pleased to be appearing once more before the committee to discuss the main estimates of Indigenous Services Canada.
I'd like to begin by acknowledging that we're on the traditional territory of the Algonquin people.
I'm joined by Jean-François Tremblay, deputy minister; and Paul Thoppil, chief finances, results and delivery officer.
Now if my French didn't wake you up....
Also, I am also pleased to have Valerie Gideon here.
View Seamus O'Regan Profile
Lib. (NL)
Before getting into my remarks, I would like to, first of all, thank members of the committee for their work over the last month studying Bill C-92 and the proposed amendments. The amendments accepted last week from all sides strengthened this bill. As many of you know, I was glad to see that it passed third reading last night unanimously. Thank you very much. Your hard work on this was really appreciated.
A vital component of our government's renewed relationship with indigenous peoples is our commitment to take action and dismantle the colonial structures of the past. Since the Prime Minister's announcement on August 28, 2017, my officials and Minister Bennett's officials have been working hard to establish the necessary structures and processes to make this transformation a reality.
In 2019-20, we look forward to dissolving Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada and in its place creating Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada as one department and Indigenous Services Canada as another. This change will better enable the government to continue its work on a renewed relationship with indigenous peoples based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership. It better positions the government to build that relationship while closing the socio-economic gaps between indigenous and non-indigenous people and improving the quality of life for first nations, Inuit and Métis people. It finally responds to a very clear recommendation by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.
Our focus at Indigenous Services Canada is working with partners to improve access to high-quality services for indigenous people. Our vision is to support and empower indigenous peoples to independently deliver services and address socio-economic conditions in their communities as they move forward on the path to self-determination.
As Minister of Indigenous Services, I am continuing the important work of improving the quality of services delivered to first nations, Inuit and Métis. This includes ensuring a consistent, high-quality and distinctions-based approach to the delivery of these services. A rigorous results and delivery approach is being adopted, focused on improving outcomes for indigenous people. Over time it is our goal that indigenous peoples will directly deliver programs and services to their peoples. We are working with partners to do this. I am working my way out of a job.
I would like to turn your attention to the reason that I am here today. I am now pleased to present to you my department's main estimates for 2019-20, which would total $12.3 billion if approved by Parliament. The 2019-20 main estimates reflect a net increase of about $2.9 billion, or 32%, compared to last year's main estimates. The net increase in budgetary spending primarily reflects the continuation of our investments in budgets 2016, 2017 and 2018 and in our most recent budget: all in all, investments totalling $21.3 billion to support stronger indigenous communities and to improve socio-economic outcomes.
Here are a few examples of where this year's increase will help.
There is $404.1 million in renewed funding for Jordan's principle: supporting children who need orthodontics, medical transportation, respite, land-based culture camps, medical supplies and equipment, educational assistance, mentorship, wheelchair ramps, vehicles, nutritional supplements.
There is an increase of $481.5 million for the first nations water and waste-water enhanced program, improving monitoring and testing of on-reserve community drinking water, and building on investments that have not only led to the lifting of 85 long-term drinking water advisories since 2015, but that also keep us on track to lift all LTDWAs by March 2021.
There will be an increase of $357.9 million related to non-insured health benefits for first nations people and Inuit.
There will be an increase of $324.8 million for infrastructure projects in indigenous communities.
There is an increase of $317 million for the first nations child and family services program, ensuring the actual costs of first nations child and family services agencies are covered fully, but also supporting initiatives to keep children and families together.
There is an increase of $300.2 million for first nations elementary and secondary education, supporting a renewed approach for K-to-12 education on reserve as co-developed by us and the Assembly of First Nations.
There is an increase of $113.6 million to build healthier first nations and Inuit communities, including our work to eliminate tuberculosis in Inuit Nunangat by 2030.
And there is an increase of $101.1 million to advance the new fiscal relationship with first nations under the Indian Act.
These investments continue to build on the work we have already done to foster a renewed relationship based on respect, co-operation and partnership. Together with indigenous partners, we are working hard to improve the quality of life for first nations, Inuit and Métis people. Through budget 2019, we are making investments in first nations and Inuit health, social development, education and infrastructure.
In addition to Jordan's principle and ensuring first nations children now receive the services they need when they need them, our investments in the child first initiative ensure that Inuit children have access to the essential government-funded health, social and educational products, services and supports that they need when they need them.
Budget 2019 proposes an investment of $220 million over five years to the Inuit-specific child first initiative, which will address the immediate needs of Inuit children. This investment would also support the ongoing work among the Government of Canada, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Inuit regions, and provinces and territories to develop a long-term Inuit-specific approach to better address the unique health, social and education needs of Inuit children.
There are also new investments to address urgent health and wellness needs to reduce suicide rates in Inuit communities. In order to deal with the ongoing suicide crisis in the Inuit communities, $5 million has been set aside to support the national Inuit suicide prevention strategy.
The government is also making unprecedented new investments in indigenous post-secondary education, including 2019's proposal for $327.5 million over five years to renew and expand funding for the post-secondary student support program while the government engages with first nations on the development of integrated regional education strategies.
There is $125.5 million over 10 years, and $21.8 million ongoing to support an Inuit-led post-secondary strategy, and $362 million over 10 years, and $40 million ongoing to support a Métis Nation strategy.
Starting this fiscal year, a new transfer to first nations communities, entitled “Grant to support the new fiscal relationship for First Nations under the lndian Act”, more commonly known as the 10-year grant, has been implemented.
More than 250 first nations expressed interest in the 10-year grant; 103 first nations were determined to be eligible based on criteria that we co-developed with first nations partners. They have received an offer, and I am happy to say that 83 first nations have now signed 10-year grant agreements.
The new grant, representing $1.5 billion, is funded through the existing programs of Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, which are primarily related to education, social development, infrastructure, and first nations and Inuit health programs.
To ensure that the 10-year grants grow with the needs of first nations, budget 2019 proposes that starting April 1, 2020, funding for core programs and services provided through the 10-year grants will be escalated to address key cost drivers, including inflation and population growth. The 10-year grant provides communities with the flexibility and predictability needed to support effective and independent long-term planning. This initiative is a key part for establishing a new fiscal relationship that moves towards sufficient, predictable and sustained funding for first nations communities.
Last, I think it's imperative for me to highlight the work of everyone involved in making progress on our commitment to end long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserve by March, 2021. Since 2015, a total of 85 long-term drinking water advisories have been lifted, and 126 short-term drinking water advisories were lifted before becoming long term. We are well on our way to meeting our commitment. This will be aided through the 2019-20 main estimates by an additional $66.7 million proposed by budget 2019, which has been dedicated to keeping us on track. I am extremely proud of this, as all Canadians should have access to safe, clean and reliable drinking water.
We have made, and are continuing to make, important changes in the government's relationship with first nations, Inuit and Métis people. While there is still a lot of work to do, our government's historic investments are making a difference in closing the gaps that exist, and improving the quality of life for indigenous peoples.
I'd now be happy to answer any questions that the committee may have.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
View Yves Robillard Profile
Lib. (QC)
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Minister O'Regan, thank you for your presentation, especially the parts in French.
In your presentation, for 2018-19, $29.4 million was provided to ensure that infrastructure investments reach local communities through the gas tax fund.
Can you explain how this amount was used?
Jean-François Tremblay
View Jean-François Tremblay Profile
Jean-François Tremblay
2019-06-04 9:46
As you know, this addition to the federal gas tax fund came at budget time, so very late in the year.
In the department, we reviewed all the projects that were already on our lists and that were ready. There were seven projects, if I remember correctly. We allocated the additional resources to these priority projects, which were ready. We took this approach, which helped to alleviate the pressure.
View Yves Robillard Profile
Lib. (QC)
Okay.
Yesterday, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls released its report after over two years of work.
Could you share your opinion on the content and conclusions of the report?
View Seamus O'Regan Profile
Lib. (NL)
Thank you, Mr. Robillard.
I think most of the people on this committee, if not all of you—it was a big crowd—were in that room. It was a heavy day. We're committed to ending the ongoing national tragedy of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people. To end this national tragedy, we asked the commission to identify and examine the systemic causes of violence against indigenous women and girls. They have.
I think we all owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to all the survivors and family members who shared their stories, because that is not easy, and some of them put their own health at risk in doing so, having to relive a lot of moments that many of them have buried. For that reason, as the Prime Minister noted in his speech, many chose not to speak. We honour them for that choice as well.
This is truly quite extraordinary; it hit me yesterday. This is a national inquiry, the first of its kind, and I was quite taken by the number of provincial governments that were represented and that accepted copies of the report. We have a lot of work to do. We are committed to a national action plan, as you heard the Prime Minister say yesterday, and that's called for by the inquiry to implement the recommendations to make sure they're distinctions-based; that they're flexible. As have all our efforts thus far, we know they must be developed in partnership with first nations, Inuit and Métis governments and organizations, the families of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, and the survivors.
View Yves Robillard Profile
Lib. (QC)
Thank you.
Can you share what the families told you about the significance of this inquiry and the opportunity it gave them to tell their stories?
View Seamus O'Regan Profile
Lib. (NL)
As a formal part of the inquiry, I did not receive those testimonies, but I've received many testimonies in my travels from people who have been involved in very similar circumstances. They are deeply aggrieved; they feel deeply wronged. They feel the loss of a loved one. We have to get through this report meticulously, and we have to work quickly. We all understand that we only have so much time left in this session.
Some things we've worked on that are very much in keeping with the report, which, again, passed third reading last night and is an extraordinary piece of legislation because it was developed in partnership with indigenous peoples, I think will go a long way in the area of child and family services to finding solutions that indigenous people will develop themselves.
Results: 1 - 15 of 430 | Page: 1 of 29

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
>
>|
Show both languages
Refine Your Search
Export As: XML CSV RSS

For more data options, please see Open Data