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Results: 1 - 60 of 91
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Tansi. Boozhoo. Good morning and hello.
First I want to acknowledge that I'm speaking to you from my office here in Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, in the city of Winnipeg, the homeland of the Métis nation and Treaty 1 territory.
This committee meeting comes at a time when our nation is grieving. The remains of the 215 children buried at the Kamloops Indian residential school sent shockwaves through our country. It has reignited a very important conversation and brought it back to the national consciousness.
I want to be very clear, reconciliation and the lives and well-being of indigenous peoples never stray from my mind. This is my focus and motivation as a minister and member of Parliament.
I am a proud citizen of the Métis Nation. I am honoured to live in and represent the constituency of Saint Boniface–Saint Vital. Louis Riel, who was born in Saint-Boniface and was laid to rest there, was never granted the same privilege that I am being granted. Louis Riel was democratically elected as a member of Parliament for the constituency of Provencher, not on one or two occasions but on three occasions, yet he was never allowed to rightfully take his seat in the House.
The opportunities that I have been granted are some that my ancestors would never have believed possible. I work every day with this knowledge; it drives and motivates my work.
As Minister of Northern Affairs, I strive to listen to northerners to ensure that their needs and priorities drive my department's work. A year and a half ago, when I was appointed minister, I stated that decisions for the north would no longer be made in Ottawa boardrooms. My team and I remain committed to that vision. We work for the north and with the north. That's why the Arctic and northern policy framework is so important to our combined work together.
The investments my department is seeking through supplementary estimates (A) are driven by this approach, focusing on the responses to COVID-19, as well as housing and infrastructure needs. The pandemic has highlighted what people have known for far too long, which is that indigenous peoples and northern communities have been underserved. Further, we have recently been reminded of the consequences of colonialism for indigenous peoples and communities.
We know that in Canada's north, food prices can be significantly higher than in the rest of Canada. Additional factors, such as geographic isolation, make northerners particularly at risk for food insecurity. This vulnerability has only been made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, our government provided an additional $25 million to Nutrition North Canada to increase subsidy rates on nutritious food and essential hygiene items. Our government also introduced the harvesters support grant, which was co-developed with Inuit partners to help with costs related to hunting and harvesting, and to create greater access to traditional country foods. Building on this, and to address the ongoing concerns, the estimates in front of you provide $20 million in funding to maintain Nutrition North Canada measures introduced in April 2020.
These supplementary estimates also provide $50 million in 2021-22 for the Governments of Northwest Territories and Nunavut. There is $25 million each to respond to their short-term critical housing needs. I view these as down payments on the housing situation in the north. The need is clear and we are committed to closing the unacceptable gap that exists in the north. These amounts are intended to address immediate and pressing housing needs this year.
We recognize that more investment is required. From budget 2021, northerners will also benefit from the $2.5 billion in new funding through the national housing strategy, delivered by CMHC across Canada, and the $4.3 billion in new funding in distinctions-based indigenous infrastructure, which can include housing.
Mr. Chair, as I stated before, reconciliation is always at the forefront of my mind as minister. I'm working toward a renewed relationship between Canada and indigenous peoples, including through the Inuit-Crown partnership committee, that respects constitutionally guaranteed rights and is based on collaboration and co-operation.
I want to thank you again for this opportunity to meet with you virtually today.
I welcome your questions.
Thank you. Meegwetch.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Thank you for that excellent question.
I can tell you that neither the elected Métis governments nor the direct descendants of Louis Riel want a pardon. Our government respects the indigenous peoples' rights to self-determination and self-government. I know this is a major issue. Important discussions are underway in the communities.
I would say that it is up to the Métis communities to offer us guidance from their perspective.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Thank you for that very important question on housing in the north and in Nunavut.
You're absolutely right. The gap is huge, and the gap was made even larger when, before 2015, 10 years of complete non-funding by the previous government only exacerbated an already bad situation—
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Since being elected in 2015, through our $70-billion national housing strategy, our government has helped over 9,000 northern families on housing issues, including finding homes for thousands of them. We've signed 10-year housing agreements with all three territorial governments—agreements that were non-existent before—who will invest close to $800 million over those 10 years.
We've signed a $400-million housing agreement with Inuit rights holders, who will invest in housing in Inuit Nunangat. In the last budget, 2021, we're—
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Since 2015, we've helped 9,000 northern families on issues concerning housing, including several thousand new units.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Listen, the gap in northern housing is huge due to chronic underfunding by previous governments, and I'll be fair—
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
—that is including some of our previous Liberal governments, but mostly there was zero funding under the previous tenure of the Harper government, but I will admit—
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
I will admit that we need to do a better job of breaking down barriers not only in Nunavut but also in Northwest Territories and Yukon. In NWT, we put together, with the government of NWT, a high-level tiger team with senior deputy ministers from both governments to really take those barriers down.
The funding is there. Why it's not flowing in at as adequate a pace as it should be needs to be addressed, and we're committed to working with all three territorial governments and indigenous governments to do just that.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.
Tansi. Boozhoo. Greetings and hello.
I want to begin by acknowledging that I am speaking with you today from my office in Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, Treaty 1 territory, the traditional territory of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene peoples, the homeland of the Métis nation, and a city that many Inuit call home.
I am proud to join you virtually today, alongside Minister Bennett, to speak about the 2020-21 supplementary estimates (C) and the 2021-22 main estimates, and what the Government of Canada is doing to assist first nations, Inuit and Métis in Canada, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The unique needs of indigenous people and northerners present their own challenges in these COVID times. While the pandemic is certainly not over, there is hope down the way.
I thank you for this opportunity to discuss the important work we are doing to confront the COVID-19 situation and to mitigate its impacts in the north, as well as to answer your questions on supplementary estimates (C) and the main estimates.
These estimates reflect our government's commitment to creating greater economic opportunity and supporting a higher quality of life in Canada's north and Arctic. Furthermore, these estimates demonstrate our government's firm intention to continue working to renew our relationship with indigenous peoples, to tackle climate change and its impacts, to promote economic development and economic growth for northern communities, and to create quality jobs for the people of the north and the Arctic.
Growing the economy while protecting the environment and addressing climate change is a priority for our government. Despite the challenges we all faced in 2020, it was still a year of progress and successes.
In November, with the Government of Yukon, we introduced the COVID-19 recovery research program. As I reported to the committee in November, northerners should not have to worry about putting food on their table or ensuring a continued supply of essential items. Our government provided an additional investment of $25 million to nutrition north Canada. We've also introduced the new harvesters support grant, which is increasing northerners' access to country foods by providing funding to support traditional hunting, harvesting and food sharing. We also marked the formation of the task force on post-secondary education in the north.
The supplementary estimates (C) reflects a net increase of $138.6 million for CIRNAC, including $120.9 million in new funding and $17.7 million of net transfers with other government departments. The total budgetary authorities for 2020 will be $6.9 billion.
More specifically, as announced in the 2020 fall economic statement, $64.7 million is allotted to funding for northern supports to territorial governments to support steps taken to respond to the pandemic. This initiative will contribute to ensuring that territorial governments have the capacity and the resources required to enforce preventative measures and to afford medical options to limit the spread of COVID-19, address regional challenges related to the pandemic and take immediate action to protect health and safety.
CIRNAC's 2020-21 main estimates will be approximately $4.7 billion. This reflects a net decrease of $189 million, compared to last year's main estimates, which my colleague Minister Bennett spoke to.
While there was an overall decrease in these main estimates, they also reflect increases in support of key initiatives, such as the northern abandoned mine reclamation program, which is building a better future for Canada's north by addressing federal contaminated sites.
The government's main objective is to provide support to help curb the spread of COVID-19 and ensure that communities are supported throughout the pandemic. We will continue to work with our territorial and indigenous partners to ensure that all remote and northern communities are protected and are in a strong position to recover when we can safely.
I want to take a moment of course to acknowledge the hard work of territorial and indigenous partners, public health officials and frontline workers who have done an incredible job of distributing and administering vaccines across the north.
Last week, eligibility opened up for every northerner in the territories over the age of 18, which is only four months after the first shipments arrived in Canada. I think we can all acknowledge the significance of this milestone, but we know there's still much more work to do.
Again, I want to thank you for this opportunity to speak to you. I look forward to your questions.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Thank you so much.
That's an important question, so thanks for asking it. I get a lot of questions and feedback about that program.
First of all, the whole issue of food insecurity is a lot more complex and multi-faceted than one program. Nutrition north, for those who don't know, helps make nutritious foods more affordable and accessible to residents who are isolated in northern communities if they lack year-round road, rail or marine access.
For several years the government has championed the nutrition north program. There is a nutrition north advisory committee, which meets regularly to discuss these issues and discuss how the program could be made into a better program. On its own, I think it's a valuable program that subsidizes nutritious food—
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Absolutely. We are constantly reviewing the programs we roll out. I've referenced the nutrition north advisory committee. That is always reviewing what we're doing. I think it's important to note that the—
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
—the Auditor General, as well, is reviewing nutrition north. There are improvements. The harvesters support grant is something that came out of the co-development between the advisory committee, ITK and the people who operate nutrition north.
As you know, the harvesters support program is creative. It's a subsidy for Inuit nations and indigenous nations to get back on the land and to have access to more country food, which has long been called for. There's room for improvements—
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
I certainly wouldn't agree with that statement. I agree with the reality of climate change, and climate change is occurring three times faster in the north than it is in the south. That's a very important factor. I think that's reality and we are a government that acknowledges reality.
First of all, I don't agree with the premise of your question. Our government is taking a whole-of-government approach to issues of the north because they are so very important. Whether it's northern affairs or foreign affairs or national defence, we are actively engaged and consulting with Inuit nations that live in the north, and we are taking a whole-of-government approach to the many important issues that face the north. We are working through the Arctic and northern policy framework to align all the territories, the indigenous nations and the investments that are occurring in the north.
You're right. Those issues are so very important, whether it's the Chinese, the Russians or other Arctic nations. We're actively engaged as well with the Arctic Council who are talking about all of these important issues.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
I absolutely disagree with that. First of all, nutrition north is an important program, but I think the premise that we're going to solve all the food insecurity issues in Canada and in the north through one program is faulty. Nutrition north has been around for 11 or 12 years now. We've invested in it because I think it's a good program. Is there room for improvement? Absolutely.
We are working with the nutrition north advisory council, with ITK and other indigenous nations and territories to try to expand on it. I think it was absolutely necessary that we spend an extra $25 million during the pandemic to make sure that the people who are suffering from food insecurity have more resources. I'm certainly not going to apologize for spending more money on nutrition north during COVID-19. That was something that was absolutely necessary. It had to be done.
There's room for improvement, and we're going to work with the advisory council.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
I think nutrition north is a part of the solution. It's certainly not the entire solution. We have to look at other Government of Canada initiatives such as what Agriculture is doing. CanNor, I understand, are—
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
We have to work with other territorial governments and with indigenous nations to make sure the money in nutrition north is going where it's supposed to, that we're getting the best bang for the dollar, and I think we have to keep improving by working with the nutrition north Canada advisory council. Programs—
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Yes. It's absolutely a great news story. Vaccines have been rolling out very effectively in all three territories. I believe that within the next few weeks there will be an opportunity for everyone in the territories who wants a vaccine to receive one.
I believe that Premier Savikataaq of Nunavut actually announced this morning that there were zero cases of COVID in Nunavut, which is absolutely incredible. If you remember, Brenda, when COVID started about a year ago, almost to the day, actually, and certainly the week, the thought was that if we didn't do a good job of working with the leadership of the north and with the people who live in the north, it could be an absolute tragedy up there in terms of COVID spread.
I really have to tip my hat to the territorial governments, the indigenous nations and the organizations that are in the north in all three territories for taking those tough decisions on isolation and shutting down the borders, for making sure that their internal health care systems were functioning as well as they could and for asking for help from the federal government.
From the beginning, we've been engaged with them. I certainly have, as northern affairs minister, but I know that Dominic LeBlanc, as intergovernmental affairs minister, the finance minister and the Prime Minister have also been engaged with the leadership and the people of the north. [Technical difficulty—Editor]
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
First of all, I think it's important that back in April—and it actually blows my mind that this was a year ago—our government announced $130 million to support the northern territories. That included more money for food security, health care supports and support for regional airlines, because that was absolutely key. We know the airlines have been going through a very difficult time in the north. If the airlines are disconnected or if the supply chain is broken, food does not get up there and medicine does not get up there. It was absolutely essential that we made sure those northern regional airlines got the support they needed.
I commend the transport minister of the time, Marc Garneau, for making sure that all the northern airlines, and provincial northern airlines as well, got the support they needed. The $75 million took them to the end of the year, with the opportunity to invest another $125 million over the upcoming year—and I hope we don't need it.
To your question on isolation hubs, the fall economic statement was I believe $65 million that went to all three territories. It was almost exclusively for isolation hubs and/or health care infrastructure.
We know that infrastructure in the north is not what it is in the south. There's a lot of help, whether traditional infrastructure, housing or health care infrastructure.... It's actually a bigger housing issue that we can have a long conversation about.
Their ask of me and Minister Freeland was for money for isolation hubs, so that if people got infected and had to isolate, they had the room to isolate. In working—
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
That's an excellent question.
We have supported the people of the north from the beginning. We work closely with the premiers of Nunavut and the other two territories.
In April, we invested $130 million to ensure people living in these three territories have affordable access to food so they can stay healthy, to provide some kind of subsidy to northern airlines and to support business people in the communities.
We also made an investment of $65 million in September, and I think that was exclusively for isolation centres or medical infrastructure. As we know, infrastructure in the north often needs help, whether it's traditional infrastructure, residential housing or medical infrastructure. We've had discussions with the elected officials in the north, and they've identified isolation centres as a priority for them, because they just don't have the space for isolation if they have to deal with a lot of infections. So we have invested $65 million in isolation centres in the three territories, in partnership with the territorial governments.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Thank you so much, Mr. Chairperson.
The supplementary estimates also reflect $10.9 million of re-profiled funding for phase III of the federal contaminated sites action plan. It is the government's priority to protect the health and environment—
Tansi, bonjour, and greetings.
I want to begin by acknowledging that I am speaking to you from my office here in Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, Treaty No. 1 territory, as well as the homeland of the Métis nation.
I am pleased to appear before this committee today to discuss the important work the department is currently doing in the north and in the Arctic and to answer your questions on supplementary estimates (B).
We also recognize that this is a particularly difficult time for many regions across Canada as we all continue to work together to curb the spread of COVID-19 and keep people healthy and safe across our country.
These estimates reflect our government's commitment to creating greater economic growth and a higher quality of life in the north and the Arctic. I am confident that these estimates demonstrate our government's plan to continue working towards renewing the relationship between Canada and indigenous nations, tackling the impacts of climate change, promoting economic development and creating jobs for those living in the north and the Arctic.
The 2020-21 supplementary estimates (B) reflect a net increase of approximately $13.4 million in re-profiled funding for the Department of Northern Affairs. This funding will primarily support the federal contaminated sites action plan, the Canadian High Arctic Research Station project and research and higher education in Canada's north.
Access to high-quality education and research for everyone is critical to not only individual success but to local economies and to our country. Canada's Arctic and northern residents, especially indigenous people, have not had access to the same services, the same opportunities and the same standard of living as those in the rest of Canada. That's why our government is making substantial investments and working in partnership with northerners to develop long-term opportunities while building healthier communities, respecting the rights and interests of indigenous nations and supporting a sustainable and dynamic economy.
To support this priority, our government has invested $1 million to establish a task force on post-secondary education in the north and the Arctic. The task force's mandate commits to seeking the perspective of northerners. It will engage indigenous partners across the Arctic and the north, including young people, other governments, post-secondary institutions, and leaders, on how the federal government can improve post-secondary educational opportunities. We need to close the gaps that exist in education in the north.
In addition, the supplementary estimates (B) include re-profiled funding for the Canadian High Arctic Research Station project that totals $2.4 million. Based out of Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, the Canadian High Arctic Research Station will become the headquarters of Polar Knowledge Canada, which is responsible for advancing Canada's knowledge of the Arctic and strengthening Canadian leadership in polar science and technology.
The re-profiled funding requested through these supplementary estimates is required for the construction and other anticipated expenses to close out the construction contract, including those related to the Inuit benefits agreement and the extension of the duration of the contract. The outcome of the investments in post-secondary education and in the Canadian High Arctic Research Station project will undoubtedly help northerners close the gaps in education outcomes, provide ongoing learning and skills development opportunities, advance our nation's knowledge of the Arctic and strengthen Canadian leadership in polar science and technology.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
It is the government's priority to protect the health and environment of Canadians by minimizing threats of pollution. My department is also committed to managing contaminated sites in a cost-effective and consistent manner to reduce and eliminate, where possible, risks to human and environmental health and the liability associated with contaminated sites.
COVID-19 continues to affect our daily lives, and northerners should not have to worry about putting food on their table or ensuring continued supply of essential items. Earlier this year, our government provided additional investments to nutrition north Canada, to increase the federal subsidy rate in all eligible communities.
By providing additional subsidies on a broad range of items and helping with the costs associated with hunting and harvesting, residents of isolated communities will be better able to afford to feed and protect themselves and their families. We've also provided supports to maintain critical air supply routes, as well as funding for testing and contact tracing, sick leave, income supports for individuals, and support for businesses.
Thank you, and I would be pleased to answer any questions you have.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Absolutely. I want to thank you for that very important question.
I can tell you that our government is seized with what is going on in Nunavut right now. We had a call this morning, as we do most mornings, with me, Minister Bennett, Minister Miller and public health officials, to get the latest information on what is occurring in Nunavut. They did such a wonderful job for the first several months to keep the virus out, and now it's an unfortunate situation. It appears that perhaps the virus came up from the city I'm in, Winnipeg, which is one of the isolation hubs. Manitoba, in and of itself, is going through a huge crisis.
At the public health level, I know our federal public health officers are in constant conversation with Nunavut public health officers, and they're talking about supports for contact tracing, testing and rapid response teams. We are also talking with the Government of Nunavut about resources for increasing isolation units and water delivery, as well as perhaps some more resources for making sure that fuel gets to where it needs to be.
Food insecurity is always a huge issue in Nunavut, as we all know. Our government officials, through the Department of Northern Affairs and through Indigenous Services Canada, are talking with Inuit rights holders and Inuit government about how we can provide them with more support to address the food insecurity issues.
On so many different levels, the public health level.... I've spoken to Premier Savikataaq over the last week, and I know the Prime Minister had a very good conversation with him yesterday, I believe. We're engaged at all the levels that we need to be to provide the support that Nunavut needs, and we are going to be there for Nunavut throughout this crisis.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Absolutely. That's also an excellent question.
I think if this pandemic has taught us anything, it's that the importance of connectivity is going to be even more important after the pandemic.
The connectivity limitations have been raised for a long time, and they have far-reaching impacts. Many communities rely exclusively on satellite for access to Internet services. They lack access to fast, high-quality and reliable telecommunication networks.
The numbers we recently announced are $750 million, on top of the $1 billion that was announced in budget 2019, to help connect all Canadians to high-speed Internet across the country. This investment will connect 98% of Canadians across the country by 2026, with the goal of connecting all Canadians by the year 2030.
I can tell you that I'm working with Minister Monsef to engage the Government of Nunavut, as well as private stakeholders, in how to access this fund. We know that things get a little more difficult the further north you go. I think there's a potential there for low-earth orbit satellite capacity. We are engaging, and this money was recently announced—last week, I believe.
We are in the middle of a pandemic—Nunavut is actually seized with the pandemic right now—but if we've learned anything through the pandemic, it's that connectivity is so very important and will be even more important afterward.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
I can tell you that this is something that is extremely intriguing. I do know that our government has yet to see an actual proposal from anyone on this potentially very exciting project.
We know that connectivity, whether physical or virtual, is something we need more of in the north. We've recently launched Canada's largest-ever infrastructure project to help develop a project in the north.
The short answer is that when we get an actual proposal, we'll do the review of it.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
I think our government is very clear that we think suggestions are useful, but we need some actual dollars to come forward to work with territorial governments, to work with private companies and to work with satellite companies. That's why last week the Prime Minister announced $750 million on top of the $1 billion announced in the previous budget to connect Canadians to high-speed Internet across Canada. We want to grow businesses. We want to create jobs.
Also, the Prime Minister recently announced an agreement of $600 million with the Canadian satellite company Telesat to improve connectivity and expand high-speed Internet coverage to the far north, rural areas and remote regions across Canada—
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
I can tell you that improving housing outcomes is an absolute priority for our government. I can tell you that in all of my travels, phone calls and Zoom calls, both pre-pandemic and during the pandemic, housing comes up the most often. We realize it's even more important during a pandemic. Our government has a 10-year housing agreement with the Government of Nunavut.
In fact, we have 10-year housing agreements with the territorial governments in Northwest Territories and Yukon, which will invest close to $800 million in those three territories. As well, we have a 10-year, $400-million housing agreement with Inuit land claim organizations that are going to invest close to $400 million in Inuit housing.
We feel we're going in the right direction, but you're absolutely right. The gaps are so large and there's so much work to do that we need to continue what we're doing for many, many years.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Yes. Thank you.
First of all, let me set a little bit of the context.
Prior to the last election, the Arctic and northern policy framework was signed. Minister Bennett did a tremendous amount of work on it. It's a framework whereby the territorial governments and the indigenous nations are all signed on, as well as several provinces, including Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec, I believe. It is a policy framework for all the leadership in the north to sit at the same table to hammer out priorities.
One of those priorities is education. One of the ideas that came out was to form a task force with the best and the brightest of the north to look at the post-secondary education systems and consult with people who work in the sector and with other leaders, look at traditional indigenous knowledge and make recommendations to our government on how we can improve.
We reached out to those people who are on the framework—the territorial governments, indigenous nations, Inuit leadership, first nations and Métis leadership of the north—and they have submitted several names that we were able to choose from to put on the task force. Their work started last week. In fact, I had my first meeting with all 13 members, I believe, last week, and we talked about the challenge they have.
They're such a dynamic group. It's a good mix of experience and youth, indigenous and not, and they're going out there. They're going to submit a report to government by...I believe it's March 2021, so it's not a lot of time. They have a lot of work to do, and it's something that is important to our government.
The initiative started before the last election. We've invested over $40 million in five years to improving post-secondary options in the north. This is something that is exciting, and I hope it's going to bear a lot of fruit in the future.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Yes, absolutely. We all know the value of sports recreation for young people. Something that I don't think has been looked at often enough is the value of indigenous sport. I know that's going to be something that comes up in the task force's work.
We're looking forward to suggestions from them, but we know there's a lot of work to do. Once the report comes in, that's when the actual work must continue, and we're committed to doing it.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Is that question for me?
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
We know the COVID-19 pandemic has been very tough on everyone and will certainly intensify the demand for mental health supports. My department is working closely with Mr. Miller's, Indigenous Services Canada, as well as with the leaders of indigenous nations. We want to provide culturally appropriate services based on indigenous traditions so that everyone can benefit moving forward.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Yes. The mental health reality is extremely important in northern communities, as it is throughout Canada.
It is actually an initiative of Indigenous Services Canada, Mr. Miller's department. We are cognizant of how very important the issue is and we work together closely, but it does fall under Mr. Miller's authority.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
The initiative is so significant that it's hard to explain in 10 seconds. I can tell you, though, that it also falls under Minister Miller's authority.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Kwe. Tawnshi. Greetings.
I want to begin by acknowledging that I am speaking to you from my office in Saint Boniface-Saint Vital, Treaty 1 territory, the traditional territory of the Anishinabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Dene and of course the homeland of the Métis nation, and a city that is now home to many Inuit.
Mr. Chair, I’m pleased to appear before this committee today with my colleagues, to give an update on the situation of the second wave of COVID-19 in the north and to contextualize what the Government of Canada is doing to assist indigenous communities and all northerners during the COVID-19 pandemic.
I have been in regular contact with territorial premiers and first nation, Inuit and Métis partners across the north. With the resurgence of COVID-19 we've seen in recent weeks, we are continuing to work with all partners to ensure the health and safety of all northerners, including taking necessary measures to respond to COVID-19.
The number of cases of COVID-19 in the north has been very limited, and that's not by accident. I commend the leadership and the hard work of the territorial governments and the indigenous leaders, who are keeping their communities safe during this pandemic.
We recognize that remote, isolated and northern communities have unique needs, and we continue to work in collaboration with territorial governments to respond to and prevent COVID-19.
In April, we provided the territories with more than $130 million of funding to address the immediate health, economic and transportation priorities related to the pandemic. From access to health services and supporting businesses and individuals to the continuation of the supply chains through air support and greater subsidies on essential items, we are taking actions to help northerners when they need it the most.
Earlier this summer, our government announced new measures to support essential air access to remote communities through bilateral agreements to ensure continuity of service for at least six months. This included establishing a $75-million funding program for our federal contribution for the first six months, which takes us to the end of the year, and maintaining these essential air services through an investment of up to $174 million over 18 months, if needed. We sincerely hope it's not needed. I commend Minister Garneau for his leadership on this initiative.
We also recognize the increased costs of many essential goods in the north and the increased financial pressures that many families are facing. That's why we provided an additional investment of $25 million to nutrition north Canada to increase the federal subsidy rate for essential items like food and personal hygiene products. We also expanded the subsidy list for all 116 northern communities eligible for nutrition north Canada, which also included cleaning products for personal hygiene that are necessary to keep people safe.
We also implemented the harvesters support grant, co-developed with indigenous partners, which helps with the high cost of traditional hunting and harvesting and helps to provide more traditional country food. We are also providing funding to community-led programs through food banks, breakfast clubs and the surplus food program. We recognize that the pandemic has had an impact on food security for families, and we are taking measures to support them.
We know that this pandemic has disproportionally affected some Canadians, and that's why we've rolled out a comprehensive support measure so that every Canadian gets the support they need. This includes enhancements to the Canada child benefit, direct financial support payments and investments to community organizations and mental health services.
For workers, we introduced the Canada emergency response benefit, which provided temporary financial support for Canadians who stopped working because of COVID. For businesses, we provided $15 million in emergency funding through CanNor to meet their challenges, as well as an additional $34 million dedicated through the regional relief and recovery fund, through CanNor, assisting businesses across all industries in the north, including the medical, hospitality and national resource industry. So far, these investments have helped to support more than 450 businesses across the north.
We also recognize the need to increase access to high-speed broadband in rural and remote communities. We are committed to accelerating the connectivity timelines and ambitions of the universal broadband fund.
We know this is a difficult time. We will continue to support Canadians who need help during this pandemic.
Meegwetch. Marsi. Nakurmiik.
Thank you.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
I'm sorry, Madam Chair.
That is a very good question. In April, we announced at least $130 million for the north and the territories. That included $17 million for air services. We knew it was a good start, but we knew it wasn't enough. So, together with Minister Garneau's office, we announced an additional $75 million to support the air industry through the end of this year. This includes all airlines serving northern Ontario, northern Manitoba and northern Saskatchewan. I believe it includes northern Quebec as well, but I'm not sure.
At the end of the year, we will do an assessment, and if necessary, we will make an additional $75 million available for the next six months. That will take us to the end of June. Again, at that time, we will do an assessment to see where we are on COVID-19, and I believe there will be additional funding for another six months if it is needed.
This initiative is sponsored by Minister Garneau. I am working closely with him. It's very important because it allows us to ensure that supply chains are not broken and that people have access to medicine and food. If there is a disruption in the supply chains, we know it will be difficult to restore them. So we are working closely with industry, communities, provinces and territories.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
That's the main reason we support the airline industry. We want to prevent supply chains from collapsing. We want to make sure they're strong to maintain essential services.
We also have programs, such as nutrition north Canada, that aim to support food security in isolated communities through grants. It's a popular program with isolated communities, and we want to continue to support that. In April, we enhanced the nutrition north Canada program with an additional $25 million.
We also created the harvesters support grant to ensure that Inuit and indigenous nations can continue to hunt for their traditional food. We are working closely with communities and the public service on this.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Thank you, MP Melillo. That's an excellent question.
When I talk to the MPs from the north—Bagnell, McLeod and Qaqqaq—it's often mentioned that tourism is something that has really taken a hit in the north. That's a natural by-product of keeping borders closed. Especially, the big operators who go on the excursions to remote areas have been hit very hard.
I know that through CanNor, which is in Minister Joly's portfolio, we've provided $15 million for emergency funding to meet their regional challenges, as well as an additional $34 million through the RRRF, the regional relief and recovery fund, to help businesses of all industries across the north, including the medical, hospitality and natural resource industries. I know that in spite of this, the tourism industry is in deep distress. Consultations and discussions are ongoing—
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
I don't have that answer right now.
Perhaps Deputy Minister Watson has some information on that.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
First of all, I think it's important to understand that from the beginning, from early March, our government has been consumed with trying to take care of the needs of Canadians, individuals and businesses, throughout this pandemic. Public servants have literally designed programs worth tens of billions of dollars and rolled them out very quickly.
By and large, I think the majority of the programs landed well, and for those that didn't, our government has shown a willingness to make them better. Having said all that, it's still not perfect. There is still a lot of work to do. There are still gaps, and it's incumbent on our government, through the ministers, to continue to talk to Canadians, to talk to business owners and to see how we can make those programs even better.
There are many uncertainties in the world today. One certainty we do have is that our government will be there for Canadians throughout the pandemic.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Madam Chair, the oil sector and its workers continue to be affected by COVID-19 and the global surge in oil supply. Our government has taken action, including providing funding to B.C., Alberta, and Saskatchewan, that will clean up as many as 40,000 inactive and abandoned wells while creating thousands of jobs.
In fact, a study by AltaCorp Capital said this money could double the entire market for well abandonment reclamation work in western Canada and is projected to create up to 15,000 to 21,000—
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Madam Chair, nothing could be further from the truth. Our government understands that businesses in the energy sector are dealing with unprecedented challenges.
Through the BCAP, we are helping SMEs that make up to 85% of the jobs in the sector have access to the liquidity they need to cover operational expenses during this very challenging time.
Many companies are indeed working with their financial institutions—more than 120 financial institutions, I may add—and we—
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Kwe. Hadlookut. Tansi. Greetings and bonjour.
I want to acknowledge that I'm speaking to you from my office in Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, Treaty 1 territory as well as the traditional homeland of the Métis Nation, and a city that is now home to many Inuit.
I'm happy to be here today with Minister Miller and Minister Bennett to clarify and contextualize the actions the Government of Canada has taken and continues to take to assist indigenous nations and all northerners during this COVID-19 pandemic. I also thank you for this opportunity to discuss the important work Northern Affairs is doing to confront and mitigate the situation in regard to COVID in the north.
I'd like to take the time to thank the public service for their adaptability and professionalism. They have been working under very difficult circumstances these last few months in their commitment to serving Canadians.
We recognize that many Canadians are facing financial hardships, and they are concerned for their health, their jobs and their families. This is especially true in Canada's north, but there are exceptional challenges in meeting the unique needs of northerners in this pandemic.
The supports I will speak to today augment ongoing funding and programs to help those living in remote and northern communities.
These estimates include key initiatives and new funding totalling approximately $879.5 million. Of that amount, $130.8 million is for Northern Affairs. This includes $15.9 million in vote 10 grants and contributions for the north, of which $10 million is to support research and higher education in Canada's north, and $6 million is to support planning activities led by the Government of Northwest Territories for the proposed Taltson hydroelectricity expansion project.
In response to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, we have committed to additional investments and expanded measures and support for the north, which are included in these supplementary estimates. Our government's objective is to provide needed support to address the concerns facing the north, including support for health and social services and nutrition, as well as air transport. This is based on critical priorities identified by the territories in order to prepare for and respond to the pandemic and to avoid the spread of the virus.
We also recognize the increased costs of many essential goods in the north. Families are facing increased financial pressures and should not be worried about how to pay for nutritious food or essential household items. That's why we have committed up to $25 million to support enhancements to Nutrition North Canada, further safeguarding food security for people living in the north.
This funding will help ensure that Nutrition North Canada fulfills its mandate to improve access to healthy foods through nutritional education and subsidies. By doing so, we will help to alleviate the costs of food in isolated communities. We have seen recently what this means on the ground in cutting the cost of flour in half and making milk more affordable so that people can afford a four-litre bag rather than the one litre that they may have previously purchased. This support is in addition to the harvesters grant, which was developed in direct collaboration with indigenous partners. This grant is helping northerners access traditional foods by lowering the cost of getting out on the land.
We have invested up to $72.6 million to address urgent health care and social service needs in the territories in response to COVID and, as you know, airlines are a critical link in maintaining the supply chain for the movement of essential goods and services. That's why we have provided up to $17.3 million to enable the continuation of northern air services supporting essential resupply and medical services in the north. We recognize the essential role that a focused and reliable air network plays in enabling the movement of essential goods and services in response to the pandemic.
Funding has been disbursed already for the urgent healthcare and social support needs in the territories in response to COVID-19 and to enable the continuation of northern air services supporting essential resupply and medical services in the north.
We continue to work closely with indigenous partners as well as provincial and territorial governments to ensure that northerners get through this difficult time.
I want to thank you again for this opportunity to be here today. I look forward to your questions.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
We recognize that mining is the economic backbone of northern communities, and we support mining industry workers and their families. Mining produces more than $3 billion in minerals annually and more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs. We are working hard to respond to the challenges posed by this pandemic. Emergency response payments, wage assistance and small business relief are flowing to meet the critical needs of those who require it.
I had a good meeting with the chamber of mines about a month ago. I'm working closely with the Minister of Natural Resources towards this issue. I look forward to coming back with help that will be tangible and will be of aid to the mining industry.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
That's an excellent question.
I will turn to the DM to clarify that question for Mr. Zimmer.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Yes, that's an excellent question.
I know that in April we announced $17.3 million to support a focused and reliable air network for all three territories and the moving of essential goods, medicines and foods. The funding has been disbursed, with $3.6 million to Yukon, $8.7 million to the Northwest Territories and $5 million to Nunavut. Those consultations are ongoing. I know that the public service is meeting with the industry, as is Minister Garneau, to look at how we can further help the industry. Those decisions have not been made yet, but I know those discussions are ongoing. I agree that it's essential to the north.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
I don't have a precise timeline, but I would say sooner rather than later.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
I know the conversations are occurring. There's a lot of communication among the different departments of the public service, and I hope those answers will be coming very soon.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Thank you so much, Jaime. That's a great question.
First of all, I want to say clearly that the images we've been seeing on television for the last couple of weeks—whether it's in Nunavut, Alberta, the Maritimes or Minneapolis—are absolutely unacceptable. For me personally, they are revolting. It's something that our country, our society, can really no longer put up with.
I'm talking to you from Winnipeg, and when I first started getting involved in community issues and politics, there was something called the aboriginal justice inquiry that kicked off in the late 1980s. Judge Murray Sinclair presided over it. Three years or four years later, there was a big book of recommendations on how we work ourselves out of it. Successive governments since that time have done something; others have not done anything.
The bottom line is that 20-some years later, there is not a lot of change in the city of Winnipeg. We've had three shootings of young indigenous people in the last six months. That is unacceptable.
Since then, of course, we've had the calls to action from the truth and reconciliation commission. We've had the inquiry into murdered and missing indigenous girls and women.
I think that all levels of government have been shown the way over successive years. What we really need to do is to act, to do something more dramatic, which hasn't been done in a long time.
There are no simple solutions. There is no silver bullet that's going to turn all of this around. We have to take collective action. We have to take a whole-of-government approach and a whole-of-society approach. That's the way to do it.
In trying to answer your question, I know that our government has spent unprecedented amounts, at least $25 billion in new money, to try to change education, health care and infrastructure, to try to change those social determinants of health to let young people have a better chance out there.
However, it's not just the indigenous population; it's the non-indigenous population that has an even greater responsibility. It is really built into our colonial system, where the first three policy objectives of the Government of Canada were to civilize, to Christianize and to assimilate indigenous people into Canadian life way back when Canada was formed. That is really the basis of the racism. It needs to stop, and it needs a dramatic government intervention.
I hope that our government will be able to lead the way, because the images we saw of police brutality are absolutely unacceptable. We need to stop the hate, the violence, and we need to stop the racism.
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