Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, my question is also for the government leader in the Senate.

On December 15, 2020, the Trudeau government announced $724.1 million to launch a comprehensive violence-prevention strategy. More than half of this funding was to support at least 38 new shelters and 50 transitional housing for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across the country, including on-reserve, in the North and in urban areas.

On Tuesday, The Globe and Mail reported that, as of May 31, none of this funding had been allocated. As well, out of the more than $700 million promised through the strategy, just $12.6 million had been spent on violence prevention, or less than 2% of the total amount announced a year and a half ago.

Leader, could you tell us why this program to support Indigenous women and girls has been such a failure?

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu on February 8, 2022)

The government has launched an appointment process for a new Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime and the work to fill the position is ongoing. In the meantime, the office remains operational and accessible to victims of crime across Canada requesting their services.

On March 29, 2022 the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights began their study of the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights.

Victims’ rights remain a priority for the government. Significant policy and programmatic investments and various law reforms have been introduced since 2015 to address the needs and concerns of victims and survivors of crime.

Key examples include:

•Investing over $48 million to support the development and enhancement of independent legal advice and independent legal representation programs for victims of sexual assault and intimate partner violence.

•Committing $37.68 million in support of victim services for families of missing or murdered Indigenous women and girls.

•Legislative measures bills to support victims of gender-based violence (i.e. former Bills C-51, C-75, C-3 and C-4).

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Donald Neil Plett on April 5, 2022)

The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) works with all orders of government and private partners, including Indigenous investment partners, to help transform how infrastructure is planned, funded and delivered to Canadians.

The CIB is involved in more than 30 infrastructure partnerships and has committed over $7.2 billion in capital, attracting over $7.6 billion in private and institutional investment.

Budget 2022 announced measures to increase the CIB’s impact by broadening the types of private sector-led projects it can support. Further, under the Emissions Reductions Plan, it is expected to invest $500 million in large-scale zero-emission vehicle charging and refueling infrastructure.

The CIB is supporting key projects like High Frequency Rail, helping to transition Atlantic Canada off coal through clean power transmission and supporting Manitoba Fibre’s plan to provide broadband access to households and businesses.

On compensation

The CIB’s compensation framework is disclosed via the annual report in compliance with the Financial Administration Act and applicable Treasury Board policies. Compensation expenses for each fiscal year are also reported in its annual audited financial statements.

The government and the Crown corporation abide by the Privacy Act and Access to Information Act provisions concerning employee compensation. Any information concerning individuals and their compensation is personal and therefore protected.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Brian Francis on May 5, 2022)

Over the past 23 years, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has invested over $630 million in fishing licences, vessels, gear and training to help increase and diversify participation in commercial fisheries, and to advance the implementation of the right to fish in pursuit of a moderate livelihood for the 35 Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqey and Peskotomuhkati communities (Treaty Nations). These investments resulted in meaningful economic benefits which increase year over year. For example, annual landed value among these Treaty Nations has increased from $3 million in 1999 to nearly $170 million in 2019. Additionally, approximately $100 million of annual revenue is being generated through fisheries-related businesses (e.g., processing, aquaculture) owned and operated by Treaty Nations.

DFO works with Treaty Nations through numerous tools to implement and recognize their treaty right, and ensure a stable and predictable fishery for the benefit of all Canadians.

I am pleased to report that an interim understanding was reached with Lennox Island First Nation. Community members will conduct moderate livelihood fishing (with up to 300 traps) in Lobster Fishing Area 24 off PEI during the remainder of the spring 2022 commercial lobster season, and an additional 700 traps in Lobster Fishing Area 25 once the season opens.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Donald Neil Plett on May 19, 2022)

Financial close occurred in August 2021 and construction has commenced, along with CIB funding. The project is expected to cost approximately $328 million and be completed by the end of 2024 with a target of approximately 48,500 underserviced households in 53 rural municipalities.

The CIB has been working closely in an advisory capacity with the Kivalliq Inuit Association and their subsidiaries on advancing the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link. The work includes providing advice on selection of a private sector partner(s), commercial arrangements with suppliers and customers, completion of the project business case and advancing the routing, permitting, environmental work, design and engineering of the project. Once these development activities and due diligence are completed, the CIB will determine if an investment will be made.

Senator Martin: The NDP-Liberal government says it expects to provide an update on how this funding will be allocated sometime over the summer.

Leader, does your government have a timeline to begin construction on these new shelters and transition housing? Does the Trudeau government commit to having any of these shelters up and running, and serving communities, this year?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. I’m not familiar with the applications for funding nor the circumstances around the provision of funding. This government has done more in the interests of Indigenous women, men, children, families and communities than any other government in Canadian history.

I’ll certainly make inquiries about that, but I would add — because I’m in the mood to add a commentary, if I may — that it’s passing strange that this government can, literally on the same day, be criticized for shovelling money out the door much too fast and also for not taking the time when it announces funding requirements to make sure the funds are properly allocated to organizations that are properly prepared and organized to receive it. But I digress.