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Results: 1 - 30 of 41
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.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
That's a great question. I don't have a lot of detailed information on the initiatives Minister Blair is moving forward on, but I think just philosophically that self-determination and letting indigenous nations take care of their own governance and take care of their own community, whether it's child and family services or whether it's policing or health, is going to bring many more positive returns than what we've been doing thus far, so it's time for a change.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Thank you so much for that very important question.
If there's anything that we've learned through these difficult times, I think it's that we need to do a better job of making sure that we are constructing more Internet communications and fibre optics throughout the north. I know that's a priority. Since I've been minister—for about six months now—I've heard that quite often in my consultations.
I can tell you that our government is spending billions of dollars over a 10-year period to improve connectivity in the north, in the Arctic and in northern provinces. It's something that's absolutely essential. We're doing it in partnership with first nations, with Inuit, with Métis communities and with rural municipalities.
As I stated earlier, the benefit has really become apparent through these difficult times. When you look at the opportunities for education and the opportunities for provision of health services to isolated communities, this can't happen fast enough. I know that several ministries within our government have prioritized this, and there are literally billions of dollars over a prolonged period that are going to be invested in this service.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Thank you for that important question.
I know that the Nutrition North program has an advisory board. Nellie Cournoyea from Northwest Territories—I hope I'm not wrong there—is the chairperson. I met with her recently.
There is a committee, the Nutrition North Canada Advisory Board, that meets regularly with the administration. They go over the parameters and the terms of reference. They were instrumental in the rollout—as was ITK—of the harvesters grant program, which subsidizes indigenous nations and individuals getting out onto the land and going back to traditional food gathering, hunting and fishing. We take a lot of advice from the Nutrition North Canada Advisory Board.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
There's no good answer for that. I know that raspberries and strawberries, based on what you've just said, are really unaffordable. We are working closely with the advisory committee. We're working closely with people on the ground in the north and in the Arctic to try to make our programs better. An example of that is the harvesters program.
I have no doubt that there's much more we can do, so I would suggest you call my office, or I'll call your office, and we can have a further discussion on the ideas that you have to make Nutrition North a better program. I know there's opportunity and I think a good partnership would benefit the citizens you represent.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Madam Chair, the whole-of-government approach is focusing on responding to the COVID outbreak and working with partners at all levels of government and with industry to secure life-saving medical supplies. We have established complementary supply chains from a range of suppliers, and we are partnering with Canadian industry to rapidly scale up and retool production capacity, ensuring a reliable domestic supply to serve our needs for the short and long term.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Madam Chair, we are ensuring that we have procured a steady supply of goods for front-line health care workers in the short and long term from domestic and international sources. We are continuing to place bulk orders for PPE and medical supplies on a regular basis in anticipation of short-term and long-term needs.
This has been our approach from the onset, and we will continue to see deliveries arriving from manufacturers internationally and—
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Madam Chair, the size of our orders reflects the fluidity of highly competitive global supply chains. The reality is that some contracts will need to be modified in order to deliver the goods we need. These shifts are built into our flexible approach to procurement.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Madam Chair, that is absolutely not true. I would cite that our government purchased a pipeline in order to get our oil to tidewater, something the previous government could not do in 10 years.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I want to begin by commending the Government of Nunavut for its hard work during this pandemic. I believe it's because of their hard work and their actions that we have not seen the same outbreak in Nunavut that other regions have seen.
I completely agree that the needs of Nunavut are unique, and that is why Nunavut has received over $30 million to address the immediate health, economic and transportation priorities related to COVID-19, as well as $5 million for air services.
The issue of water for Canadian citizens, north and south, Inuit and non-indigenous, is of tremendous importance to our government. We have committed to making sure that every Canadian, every Inuit citizen, every first nation and every Métis citizen has access to drinking water.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Thank you very much.
That's a very good question. Before I answer it, on behalf of the entire House of Commons, I want to wish a happy Indigenous Nurses Day to all the indigenous nurses who are doing tremendous work all across our country.
I'm very proud of the work we've done on indigenous issues. We've spent over $23 billion of new money since being elected on housing, health care and education. I believe that we've removed close to 80 to 85 boil water advisories. This pandemic has, of course, slowed down the entire work plan, but the plan was to have all boil water advisories removed by March 2021.
As well, the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations is working diligently on an agreement with the Wet'suwet'en nation.
I believe that a recognition of rights is so very important for our country—
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Through you, Mr. Chair, to the member, our government, indigenous nations, provinces and territories are working together to co-develop a national action plan that will set a clear road map to end the systemic causes of violence against indigenous women, girls and LGBTQ and two-spirit people. This work remains a priority, but at this time the focus is working together to respond to COVID.
As part of that commitment, we are investing $50 million to support shelters and sexual assault centres for women and children fleeing violence, which includes targeted funding for facilities—
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
I have a point of order, Mr. Chair. I could not hear the first part of the question.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Mr. Chair, as our Prime Minister has often said, there is no relationship more important than the one between Canada and indigenous nations. All of the calls for justice are a priority for our government, as I've clearly stated. However, at this time, we are in a pandemic; we are dealing with the COVID issue. But all of the calls for justice are a priority for our government and we are committed to getting them all done.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Mr. Chair, I know that there's been a lot of consultation on our plan, which will be rolled out shortly. Since the people whom the member has referenced are from Manitoba, I will reach out to them personally and make sure that they are consulted.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair and everyone online, for this important meeting.
It's a great pleasure for me to appear before the committee today. I'd like to begin by acknowledging that Canada's Parliament is on the traditional territory of the Algonquin people, and I am speaking to you from my office in Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, which is in the homeland of the Métis nation as well as Treaty 1 territory.
Today, I'd like to give you an update on the situation of COVID-19 in the north. Since the beginning of the crisis, I have been in regular contact with territorial partners, premiers and first nations, Inuit and Métis partners across the north. I know that the only way we have any hope of preventing the spread of COVID–19 in the north is by taking an approach informed by northerners. They have the ideas, the innovations and the solutions we need to implement in order to prevent and stop the spread of the virus. We are committed to listening and doing everything we can to support territorial governments in preventing and responding to COVID. Territorial governments have done a tremendous job of protecting their communities and keeping people safe, and I support their efforts and continue to work with them throughout this pandemic.
Canada is directly addressing these unique territorial needs with more than $130 million of funding toward four key priorities: health and social services, essential airline services, supporting small and medium-sized businesses, and ensuring access to adequate nutrition and essential goods.
To support health and social services, the Government of Canada has provided $72.6 million to the territories, which builds on the $15 million in funding to provinces and territories through the initial Canada health transfer. It is helping territories to address the critical priorities they have identified to minimize the spread of COVID-19. The government is helping territories to put in place solid measures in order to prepare and respond to COVID-19.
To support essential airline services, which are a critical link in maintaining the supply chain for the movement of essential goods, services and medicines to the north, Canada is providing an initial investment, covering a three-month period, of up to $17.3 million among the territories.
This investment, along with investments by the territorial governments, will help northern air carriers to maintain a basic network of routes and services. These services are vital to ensuring that people living in remote fly-in communities have continued access to food, medical supplies, and other essential goods and services.
Like in the rest of Canada, many businesses in the north are already struggling with the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. To assist businesses with operating costs not already covered by other Government of Canada measures, the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency will provide $15 million in non-repayable support for territorial businesses through the northern business relief fund. The fund will provide up to $100,000 to businesses struggling to cover their operating costs.
As the COVID crisis continues to evolve, we also recognize the increased costs of many essential goods in the north, and the increased financial pressures that families are facing. That's why we are providing an additional one-time investment of $25 million to nutrition north Canada to increase the federal subsidy rate for essential items such as nutritious food and personal hygiene products. This makes these essentials more affordable for northern families, including indigenous families in the north, during these very challenging times.
We've also, as you know, implemented the harvesters support grant, which has been allocated to indigenous partners, and we are working diligently to flow the next wave of money very quickly. This grant, which was codeveloped with indigenous partners, helps northerners who return to traditional harvesting and food-sharing practices by alleviating the high costs associated with traditional hunting and harvesting of foods.
Furthermore, we've announced a distinctions-based funding of $45 million through the $305-million indigenous community support fund for Inuit-designed and implemented community-based solutions to prepare for and react to the spread of COVID-19 within their communities.
The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the health, the safety and the well-being of northerners through the COVID-19 crisis and beyond, to ensure that they are able to recover and thrive in the future. That means that we will keep listening carefully to and working closely with our territorial partners, our provincial partners, our indigenous partners and others to determine the best responses and approaches in our ongoing efforts to fight COVID-19.
Meegwetch. Marci. Nakurmiik. Thank you. Merci.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
First of all, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the absolutely essential work that the territorial governments and the Government of Nunavut have been doing in response to COVID-19, and the leadership of Premier Savikataaq. Since the beginning of this evolving situation, I have been working in close collaboration with the premier and some senior ministers from the Government of Nunavut to ensure the safety and security of the residents of Nunavut.
We remain committed to supporting the territorial governments in their response to COVID-19. We understand that there are some unique circumstances in Nunavut—the remoteness, the quality of infrastructure, and simply the higher cost of living and of doing business—which is why we are—
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
For sure the dollars are committed, and it's in progress. As to where it is in the administration, I could have one of the public servants speak to that.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
Having consumed a lot of Kraft Dinner and Klik when I was younger, I know that they're not very nutritious. Nutrition North should be subsidizing more nutritious food than that.
View Dan Vandal Profile
Lib. (MB)
I have been working very closely with the premier on the COVID crisis. We communicated this morning. It's true Nunavut has confirmed a case in Pond Inlet. The Government of Nunavut has responded accordingly. Nunavut's rapid response team is in Pond Inlet now to provide care, to conduct contact tracing and ensure the community has the necessary supports in place to deal with this.
The premier assures me that the Pond Inlet Health Centre is well staffed and well prepared. I can only quote the premier in his press release yesterday, which said:
There is no need to panic. Nunavut has had time to prepare, and we are in a solid position to manage this. We ask people not to place any blame, not to shame and to support communities and each other as we overcome COVID-19 in Nunavut.
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