Notes for an address by

The Honourable Jim Prentice, PC, QC, MP
Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and
Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-status Indians

to the

House of Commons
Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

on the

Main Estimates of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

House of Commons

Ottawa, Ontario

November 2, 2006

Check against delivery

Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank you for allowing me to appear before you and your colleagues and discuss the Main Estimates of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. I am a firm believer in the value of having the committee scrutinize departmental spending; and I welcome this opportunity to explain specific spending plans of my department. Since I am sure that members have many questions to ask and numerous comments to make, I will keep my remarks brief.

Total spending in this year's Main Estimates of my department is approximately $6.3 billion-roughly 6.2 percent higher than last year's figure. This spending reflects the government's firm and ongoing pledge to resolve several vexing challenges that confront Aboriginal peoples and Northerners.

Specifically, Canada's new government is determined to ensure that Aboriginal peoples have the same access as other Canadians to quality education, housing, and other key elements of healthy and fulfilling lives.

The Main Estimates of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development reflect the government's approach to reaching this goal. It is an approach based on workable solutions, targeted expenditures and measurable results. More precisely, our approach focuses on four areas.

The first is to empower individuals to take greater control and responsibility of their lives through directing investments towards critical needs such as housing and education. Next we are working to accelerate land claims. We are also promoting economic development, job training, skills and entrepreneurship. And finally, we are laying the groundwork for responsible self-government by moving towards modern and accountable governance structures.

Mr. Chairman, I am convinced that this four-pronged approach represents the most prudent and effective way to put into action the resources presented in the Main Estimates. In fact, this approach has already yielded tangible results for Aboriginal peoples and Northerners.

Last spring, Canada's new government budgeted $450 million to help Aboriginal peoples access supplies of safe drinking water, enhance on-reserve housing, and create education programs for students and other social programs for Aboriginal women, children and families. The budget also set aside up to $300 million for housing off reserve, up to $300 million to help Aboriginal peoples and Northerners build and repair affordable housing in the North, and up to $500 million over 10 years to offset the potential socio-economic impacts of the Mackenzie Gas Project in the Northwest Territories.

I should point out that these investments are not contained in the Main Estimates. To fulfill these commitments, we will use the Supplementary Estimates that were tabled in the House earlier this week and the Main Estimates for future years.

Supplementary Estimates will also be used to take additional steps to enhance the quality of life in First Nation communities. For instance, last week, I announced that an additional $6 million would be available this year to help ensure that 35 department-funded family-violence shelters continue to provide essential support services to women and children on reserve.

And just this past week at the Socioeconomic Forum in Quebec, this Government announced more than $88 million in initiatives and investments to benefit First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples in Quebec and Labrador.

In addition to these investments, a collaborative effort began to improve the quality of drinking water available in First Nation communities. Working alongside the Assembly of First Nations, I initiated a consultative process that included creation of an expert panel to investigate the issue and propose effective legislative options.

I believe that a strong legislative framework is required to ensure that First Nation communities enjoy greater access to safe drinking water. A strong framework will set consistent operating and performance standards; establish clear roles and responsibilities for all groups and all levels of government; and establish penalties in case of failure or negligence.

Plans are also underway to establish legislative frameworks to address two other issues: on-reserve matrimonial real property and First Nations education.

I am sure that all of you are aware of MRP and the controversy that surrounds it. Wendy Grant-John, a distinguished leader, entrepreneur and public servant, is now working with the Native Women's Association of Canada and the Assembly of First Nations to facilitate consultations on this matter and ensure all interested parties are heard. When the consultations are complete, she will recommend an appropriate legislative option.

The second example of solid legislative frameworks is a tripartite agreement that will enable First Nation communities in British Columbia to assume meaningful control over on-reserve elementary and secondary schools. I am convinced the calibre of education delivered on reserve will improve steadily as First Nation communities in the province take control of areas such as curriculum, educational standards and teacher certification.

In fact, Mr. Chairman, this agreement served as the inspiration for the recent memorandum of understanding agreed to by the Government of Canada and the First Nations Education Council of Quebec. The memorandum of understanding will enable the two sides-and eventually the Government of Quebec as well-to improve education for students from First Nation communities, increase graduation rates for First Nations students, and ensure that these students can take full advantage of employment and economic opportunities available to all young people in the province.

Legislative frameworks that govern MRP and First Nations education are crucial ways to create enduring solutions. Only by modernizing the legal mechanisms that regulate the relationship between the Government of Canada and Aboriginal peoples can we ensure concrete improvements in their lives and make certain that specific programs remain effective.

Another area of focus is finalizing comprehensive claims and self-government agreements, specific claims, treaty land entitlements and additions to reserves. Since assuming office, the new government has finalized a number of important settlements, including the Fort William First Nation's Rifle Range claim and most recently the initialing of a final agreement for the Lheidl T'enneh First Nation in British Columbia. In addition, we are close to concluding final agreements with several other First Nation communities in British Columbia.

And just last week in Nunavik, in Northern Quebec, the last major Inuit land claims agreement was ratified.

I am a firm believer in the value of concluding fair, honourable settlements. Settlements are about justice, respect and reconciliation. They are about building a better future, along with coming to terms with the past. Each settlement clears a path to strengthened governance, and to new economic and social opportunities.

Although not a land claims settlement, I am also happy to report that the new government has taken decisive action to resolve the legacy of the Indian Residential Schools system. Earlier this year, I was pleased to announce conclusion of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. This historic Settlement Agreement, whose commitments are reflected in departmental spending, includes a variety of provisions that acknowledge the painful experiences endured by some 80,000 former Residential School students, and give their families and communities an opportunity to share their experiences with all Canadians.

This settlement is tangible proof that the government recognizes the importance of bringing to an end the sad legacy of Indian Residential Schools and moving forward in partnership with Aboriginal Canadians on the many challenging issues that face us today.

While the department has achieved successes in the resolution of a number of important claims, there remain significant challenges to be addressed, particularly regarding specific claims. There are approximately 800 specific claims currently at various stages of processing. This number continues to grow, because each year, the number of claims submitted by First Nations greatly exceeds the number of claims that are resolved.

As the backlog of specific claims continues to increase, the amount of time it takes to process a claim also increases, and the value of the specific claims program as an alternative to litigation or to other forms of adversarial activity becomes diminished. This situation is unacceptable to First Nations, to other Canadians, and to Canada's new government.

While I am not in a position today to announce the details of an action plan on specific claims, I do have some ideas to share with the committee about where improvements can be made. I believe we must re-tool current methods and practices on how the Government of Canada processes specific claims. We have to explore a wider set of tools such as binding arbitration and mediation. We must streamline approval processes and clarify authorities within my department and with the Department of Justice. We must clarify the role of the Indian Claims Commission.

In closing, Mr. Chairman, I realize that considerable time and diligent effort will be required for us to achieve our objectives. And as the Main Estimates for my department make clear, our work this year will also take a substantial amount of money. I can assure you and your colleagues, however, that our four-pronged approach is a focused and proven way to make clear progress toward our goals.

I can also assure this committee that-as minister and as a department-we will follow through on the commitments we have made. We will measure our performance as we go. And we will ensure that our efforts are open, transparent and accountable to this committee, to the House of Commons and to all Canadians.

I am committed to having a constructive working relationship with this committee, on which I was proud to serve. I welcome your advice and input as well as your oversight, and I look forward to working on legislation together.

I would be pleased to take your questions on policy directions, and my officials will be able to stay a bit longer and take more specific questions as well.

Thank you.

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