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Results: 31 - 60 of 75
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, the government has said time and time again that we will compensate children for the harm that they have suffered. We have acknowledged as much.
This is a time where we perhaps do need to reflect on the course of reconciliation, but this is also a time where we must continue with the communities at the forefront to help their search in the truth. There can be no healing without the truth. We will work with those communities, the surrounding communities and all indigenous communities that are hurting to pursue the truth. There can be no healing without the truth. We will provide resources to help them, to help them in their healing and continue on this path in ensuring that the truth comes out so that we all, all Canadians, all indigenous peoples in Canada can be looked at straight in the eyes and not look—
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, the government has been very clear about this. We will compensate those who were harmed while in the care of child services. There is a time for the government to reflect on reconciliation, but right now, we need to help the communities in question on their path and their search for the truth. The search continues, as we do not know the whole truth. We will support these communities by providing mental health resources. There can be no healing without the truth.
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, this topic is all the more painful in the wake of this weekend's news. Obviously the Indian Act is entirely unacceptable, but it is also unacceptable to abolish it in one fell swoop from on high in Ottawa. This is something that must be done in tandem, in partnership with the indigenous communities involved.
With all due respect, the member has got it all wrong. The new modern treaties prove it, especially in western Canada. I would also remind the member of the great progress made by agreement communities in Quebec's far north, which have been leaders in this—
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, we will absolutely support these communities.
However, I would like to remind the member that call to action 76 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada states that indigenous communities shall lead such efforts. We will be there for them if they wish to conduct research and carry out digs. The provinces have also indicated that they will be there for them.
This truth must come out for all Canadians. First and foremost we must support indigenous people in searching for the truth, as there can be no healing without the truth.
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Madam Speaker, the member failed to note that there are now no longer any long-term water advisories in the province of British Columbia, thanks to the work that has been done and the plans put into place throughout the past years. This includes the Semiahmoo first nation, which lifted its advisory last month.
There is much more to be done. We continue to invest in indigenous communities to ensure they lift their long-term water advisories and that the safety and security of clean water in communities is assured well into 2023, 2024, 2025—
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, as the member well knows, this government has made significant progress. In 2015, there were 105 long-term water advisories in effect. We have, in fact, lifted 106, and we will continue to do so. We will fix a failed funding formula, and we have invested now $1.5 billion pursuant to the fall economic statement. We will continue to work with every community to ensure that long-term water advisories are lifted.
One long-term water advisory is one too many.
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, through budget 2021, our government is investing over $18 billion to improve the quality of life, close socio-economic gaps and create new opportunities for indigenous communities and peoples. This includes an additional $1.4 billion to fight COVID; over $6 billion, with $389 million ongoing to support indigenous infrastructure; $100 million for indigenous entrepreneurship and economic development opportunities; and near and dear to the member's heart, there is an additional $275 million for indigenous languages, including Mi’kmaq.
Wela'lin.
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, as the member may well know from the fall economic statement, as well as from the budget that came out on Monday, there are sustained investments for water across the country in indigenous communities and in York Landing. We will continue those.
No nation should go without secure and safe access to clean water. We will continue working on it. When we took power, there were 105 long-term water advisories in effect. We have lifted 106. That work will continue. We will continue to sustain those critical assets throughout the lifespan of the asset.
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, let me reassure members of this House and all Canadians that this simply is not the case. I would note that when we took power, there were 105 long-term water advisories in effect. We put together a plan and invested $4 billion, and we have now lifted 106 long-term water advisories. No pressure is put on any first nation. We work in partnership with those nations, including the Chippewas, and we will continue to do so, respecting their rights and respecting the rights of all Canadians to have access to clean and safe water.
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, the member would well know that this government has invested historical funding into the mercury treatment centre that was announced early last year to right a historical wrong that should never have occurred in the first place.
When it comes to advocating for the rights of Grassy Narrows', chief and council, and the people of Grassy Narrows are fully capable of doing it, but we will also be their voice at the federal level for whatever they advocate to premiers across the country and to territorial premiers as well. We are glad to do it and speak up on their behalf at any time, but they are fully capable of doing it as well.
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, the member will know that this government has made significant investments in accelerating the processing times in and around status. The cases can vary from one person to another. If the member has any particular case she would like to advance, the ministry would be more than happy to look at it and pass it onto my team.
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that the member opposite was not part of the government that created this problem in the first place. I do appreciate his earnest question.
In 2015, we made a clear promise to all first nations and Canadians to end the unacceptable long-term drinking water advisories affecting first nations and communities. At that time, there were 105. We just yesterday celebrated the 100th and 101st lift. We are getting there. We invested $1.5 billion additional in November to get there, as the member well knows. We look forward to keep lifting them as the days go on.
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, if the member paid attention to the information on the website, he would see that every community that is currently on a long-term water advisory has a plan.
When I sat down with my team, when I had the privilege of being named minister, we saw that we needed to commit to communities for long-term operations and maintenance of a critical asset. That is what we did with an announcement in November, which essentially doubles our commitment to getting first nations off long-term water advisories. It is something we will continue to do in partnership.
I would note for the member opposite that of those communities that are on long-term water advisories and that have been for over 10 years, half of them are now producing clean water, and the rest will come very soon.
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Canada, I offer my sincere condolences on this tragic passing. We know that first nations face a terrible health crisis, particularly during this pandemic. We know that coming out of COVID we must invest in health infrastructures in communities. We must invest in housing as a health crisis.
We know that this is the challenge. We know that this inequity exists and persists and have made communities more vulnerable. There are many examples of this across Canada, and it is entirely unacceptable, but this government has made massive investments in bridging that infrastructure gap and we will continue to do so.
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, we welcome the recommendations in the report from the Office of the Auditor General of Canada. I assure the House that we share this commitment and will continue to work around the clock until all of the long-term advisories are lifted.
We have been working directly with first nations communities since 2015 to improve access to drinking water. In spite of the challenges we announced in December, we are confident that we are on the right track to getting the long-term boil water advisories lifted.
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, let me be clear once again that this government is unequivocally committed to addressing the long-standing unmet needs of first nation children and resolving these cases. The member will note that we are continuing our mediation with the CHRT partners, two other class action partners, to the complaints first nations partners, provinces and territories to ensure that we fully implement Jordan's principle and resolve this wrong.
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, as the member will note, at the end of November and the beginning of December, this government invested a further $1.5 billion in water infrastructure with first nations and in partnership with first nations. The member is fundamentally mistaken about the process by which we engage with first nations. They pick the contractors; we work with them and we follow industry practice to ensure that these projects will move forward and that, ultimately, long-term water advisories get lifted. This is the choice of the first nations and we will continue to walk that path with them as we ensure that the long-term asset, the water infrastructure, is preserved in partnership with first nations.
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, first off, we absolutely respect the rights of indigenous groups, including Tataskweyak Cree Nation, to seek intervention of the courts, and we absolutely must respect that process.
Our government continues to support Tataskweyak in the repairs and upgrades to its water system as the water quality does indeed continue to meet approved guidelines.
I would point out that since 2016, Indigenous Services Canada has provided over $23.5 million toward water and waste-water upgrades, which has provided a new lagoon, a lift station, distribution lines and repairs and upgrades to the water treatment plant as well as a detailed source water study, but we will continue to engage with the community and get to the root of this problem.
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, while today is the fifth anniversary of the CHRT order on the inequalities and overrepresentation of indigenous children in care that spanned decades, we have been clear that our goal is a comprehensive, fair and equitable compensation for those impacted by the historic inequities in first nations child welfare.
Let me be equally clear in saying that currently Canada is facing three competing lawsuits that purport largely to represent the same group of plaintiffs, and we welcome the appointment of a mediator to navigate this process. I would also take the a moment to highlight the termination this week of birth alerts in Saskatchewan.
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, I would highlight for the member opposite that Indigenous Services Canada has provided 800,000 supports since 2016 in implementing these orders. The appeal of the particular order that the member is referencing will in no way prejudice indigenous children.
We will implement every single aspect of that order, regardless of the outcome. It is part of the competing three lawsuits that this government is facing, purporting to affect the same group of plaintiffs. We welcome the appointment of the mediator to navigate through this process.
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, we are not backing away from our commitment to ending all long-term drinking water advisories to first nations on reserve, but instead making a more profound commitment to the long term. In every community with a long-term water advisory there is a project team, an action plan and people dedicated to lifting it.
Last week, we announced $1.5 billion to accelerate the access to clean water in the short and the long term as well as the stability necessary to ensure this occurs, not only by spring 2021 but after that.
While we cannot underestimate the impact of COVID-19 on long-term drinking water timelines, we are—
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, let me complete what I was about to say.
While we cannot underestimate the impact of COVID-19 on long-term drinking water timelines, we are optimistic that by spring 2021 the number of communities under long-term drinking water advisories will be down to 12.
We are committed to working with these communities in partnership for the long term. That is what the announcement last week of $1.5 billion to communities was about, and, yes, that is my responsibility to get it done as a minister of the Crown.
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite would probably appreciate an update on Attawapiskat. Our officials are in direct contact with leadership and WAHA to ensure that contact tracing and isolation are under way. People should rest assured that they will have the backing of the Government of Canada throughout this, in particular indigenous communities in remote and isolated locations.
As to the children with increased demands under Jordan's principle, indeed, our office, in particular, stands ready to help them during this very difficult time.
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, I will be absolutely speaking to Chief Redhead later today to help support and be on hand to combat and prevent further spread of COVID-19. A rapid response team has been deployed, along with BLU-MED shelters that have been in operation since last week. We will remain in active communication with the community and stand ready to provide additional support, including CAF, as needed. We will be there for them and the community of Shamattawa.
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, what I would like to say to all Canadians is that we are not backing away from our commitment to ending all long-term drinking water advisories for first nations on reserve, but are instead making a more profound commitment for the long term.
Yesterday we announced over $1.5 billion to accelerate access to clean water in the short term and ensure stability in the long term, something that communities demanded of us. While we cannot underestimate the impact of COVID-19 on the long-term drinking water timelines, we are confident that by spring 2021, the number of communities under long-term drinking water advisories will amount to 12.
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Madam Speaker, we welcome the order of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. I would note for the member opposite that our department is currently reviewing and revising what was said in the order, but we are looking forward to the implementation of this definition, which expands the definition of first nations children. It is so important for closing the socio-economic gap between non-indigenous and indigenous children.
I would note for the member opposite that, since 2016, we have provided 750,000 supports, and behind every support is an indigenous child, as well as budget investments of $1.2 billion in 2019 to close that gap as we continue to implement the order.
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, incidents like this should never happen again. The incident in question was exceedingly alarming.
I would invite the member opposite, and indeed all Canadians, to review the 911 transcript. It is unclear at this time, but if there is any trace that Indigenous Services Canada, or any part of the Government of Canada, was involved in that type of advice, as well as what information was conveyed when they relayed what was alleged, we will get to it. We will take responsibility for that action, apologize, move forward and ensure that status cards are respected by all Canadians within this country.
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, as the member well knows, the last week for indigenous peoples has seen multiple rises in cases affecting indigenous communities. It is, indeed, alarming. What the member has also seen are targeted responses in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
The Government of Canada stands with those peoples as they deploy exceptional measures to defend their people and to prevent their communities from contracting COVID, and we will always be there with them.
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, the collection of data is an ongoing process. What we do know is what we are able, as a matter of effective jurisdiction, to control, which is the situation on reserve. We know that the data has so far been positive. The alarming rate of increase over the last few weeks is, indeed, alarming. That is why we are deploying tailored resources because on the feedback we have received from communities.
Where we see that vulnerability is in urban settings, and that requires partnership with indigenous communities on the ground, as well as with the provinces. That is what we will constantly be striving for, that continued work so we can have a tailored healthy response to a world pandemic.
View Marc Miller Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Speaker, the incidents in question are exceedingly alarming. Indeed, they did occur a year ago, and what we saw was the process of systemic racism showing its head on the ground, and the results that it had with the police intervening.
Clearly all members of society need to know and respect the validity of a status card. I only recently got the transcript of the 911 call. In the process of reviewing it, it is slightly unclear, but if there is an issue with Indigenous Services Canada and its involvement, we will act swiftly.
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