Notes for an address by Michael Wernick Deputy Minister
and Peter Harrison Senior Associate Deputy Minister Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
to the
House of Commons Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
regardingv Supplementary Estimates (B)
House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario March 20, 2007
Check against delivery
Mr. Chairman, I appreciate this
opportunity to discuss the Supplementary
Estimates (B) of the Department
of Indian Affairs and Northern
Development.
Today, I want to begin by acknowledging
that this is my first appearance
before this Committee as accounting
officer, designated by the Federal
Accountability Act. I am the
official who is personally responsible
for the efficient management of
this department’s resources.
As such I am accountable to Parliamentary
Committees such as this one to
answer questions pertaining to
these responsibilities.
My responsibilities in this
respect are four-fold.
- To ensure that resources are
organized to deliver departmental
objectives in accordance with government
priorities;
- To ensure there are effective
systems of internal control;
- To sign the departmental accounts;
and
- To perform other specific duties
assigned by law or regulation in
relation to the administration
of this department.
In response to initiatives undertaken
by the Office of the Comptroller
General, Indian and Northern Affairs
Canada has implemented a new approach
to financial planning, management
and reporting—an approach
based on the Chief Financial Officer
model. This new model is designed
to strengthen accountability—crucial
for a department that manages some
$6 billion each year. Earlier this
year, I also created a Chief Audit
and Evaluation Executive position
that reports directly to me as
Deputy Minister.
I’m also proud to say
that Indian and Northern Affairs
Canada has actively supported the
accountability work of the Blue
Ribbon Panel on grants and contributions,
and has been active on a number
of fronts that will contribute
to a government-wide action plan
targeted for late fall 2007.
As you know, promoting greater
accountability is one of the Government
of Canada’s top priorities.
This Committee’s scrutiny
of the department’s financial
plans is a vital link in the accountability
chain and I fully support the important
work that members do.
The Supplementary Estimates
(B) now before you represent the
final step in the supply cycle
for the current fiscal year. The
cycle began last year with the
tabling of the Main Estimates of
$6.3 billion, which included an
increase in spending of approximately
6.2 percent, or $366 million, over
the previous year’s Main
Estimates. The next step was the
2006 federal budget, followed by
the Supplementary Estimates.
Part A of the Supplementary
Estimates requested a further $196
million. Minister Prentice appeared
before this Committee last November
to describe how these funds were
to be invested to address unforeseen
needs. In particular, they have
helped First Nation communities
address urgent and critical needs
brought on by fires, floods and
evacuations. The resources have
also assisted residents of remote
and isolated communities who suffer
undue hardship as a result of rising
fuel costs.
In the last phase of the Supplementary
Estimates, tabled last month, Indian
and Northern Affairs Canada requested
approval for $70.3 million for
various initiatives. These investments
support the government’s
overall commitment to make tangible,
measurable progress on the challenges
that face so many Aboriginal communities.
The largest amount proposed
in the Supplementary Estimates—$27.4
million—relates to the transfer
of Aboriginal Business Canada to
this department. Given that the
spending authorities had already
been granted to Industry Canada,
this transfer involves no new expenses.
This exercise consolidated into
a single department with an Aboriginal
focus the economic development
programs that benefit Aboriginal
peoples. This promotes efficiency
and improves the effectiveness
of existing programs. By pooling
the expertise of staff, I believe
the transfer will also have a positive
effect on future programs.
The Supplementary Estimates
also include $21 million for out-of-court
settlements. In order to avoid
unnecessary and costly litigation,
the department will settle out
of court where there is a recognized
legal obligation and on advice
from the Department of Justice. Settlements
for this fiscal year include three
cases – O’Chiese, Testawich,
and Tsuu T’ina.
Another large investment included
in the Supplementary Estimates
would see $9.3 million spent on
the Aboriginal Peoples Survey conducted
by Statistics Canada. This survey
will gather information about socio-economic
conditions, among other data. The
findings will help establish a
clear baseline and enable governments
and Aboriginal organizations to
measure the impacts of various
policies and programs. Current,
relevant, accurate data is fundamental
to accountability.
Mr. Chairman, there is one more
item in the Supplementary Estimates
I would like to discuss: the transfer
of First Nations SchoolNet. The
estimates call for $6 million to
fund the program through the current
fiscal year.
First Nations SchoolNet enables
hundreds of classrooms across the
country to access the wealth of
learning opportunities available
via the Internet.
Mr. Chairman, the Government
of Canada is determined to ensure
that all Canadians—Aboriginal
and non-Aboriginal alike—enjoy
the prosperity of this country.
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
will continue to identify and implement
lasting solutions to the issues
facing Aboriginal peoples. The
spending authorities now under
consideration will enable us to
take one more step toward this
goal.
Thank you. I will now ask Dr.
Peter Harrison, Senior Associate
Deputy Minister of Indian and Northern
Affairs Canada and Deputy Minister
of Indian Residential Schools Canada,
to talk about Indian Residential
Schools. After Mr. Harrison’s
presentation we will be pleased
to answer any questions that Committee
members may have.
Thank-you Mr. Wernick.
Mr. Chairman, my comments on the
Supplementary Estimates “B” of
Indian Residential Schools Resolution
Canada will be brief. These estimates
are comprised of two items:
A remaining transfer of $50.5M
was made from the Department of
Canadian Heritage for the control
and supervision of Office of Indian
Residential Schools Resolution
of Canada (OIRSRC). This transfer
was made necessary by government
restructuring which saw control
of OIRSRC transferred from the
Minister of Canadian Heritage to
the Minister of Indian Affairs
and Northern Development on May
16, 2006.
IRSRC transferred $7.678M in operating budget funds to Service Canada. IRSRC has transferred these
funds through an agreement with
Service Canada in order for them
to prepare for the Common Experience
Payment. This preparation
will entail substantial Information
Technology (IT) development work. Service
Canada will receive all applications,
conduct a screening of the application,
authenticate the identity of the
applicant and transfer the data
electronically to IRSRC to validate
residency. The applicant will be
informed of the decision by Service
Canada and if appropriate, Service
Canada will issue payment.
Back to Index Page
|