44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 3, 2023
- 04:54:29 p.m.
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Thank you, Mr. Aldag.
Mrs. Gill, you have the floor for six minutes.
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- 04:54:33 p.m.
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Thank you, Madam Chair.
I would like to thank the minister and his team.
I have many questions, as always.
The first question is about economic reconciliation for all. I asked the question last Monday. First nations can participate in the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, but not Métis and Inuit nations. We're not there yet. I was wondering where the difficulty lies in those cases.
What is planned for the future? I'm not asking for a complete timeline, but I would like to know what the possibilities are for those nations over the next few months and years.
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- 04:55:24 p.m.
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Given that participation isoptional, it will be up to those nations to decide. Historically, this type of legislation has stemmed from our relationship with first nations and not with the Inuit and the Métis.
The federal government has only recently recognized the Métis. That means that their access to capital is even more recent. The Métis have their own financial institutions and know what they want to do. If they want to be part of the system, we will welcome them.
As to the Inuit communities, I do not foresee any obstacles, apart from two or three challenges due to the necessary coordination between the legislation and modern treaties. There's nothing insurmountable there. Political factors could come into play. There is no legal obstacle stemming from the act as it stands.
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- 04:56:42 p.m.
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Thank you.
I also have a question about first nations.
As you stated, participation is indeed optional. Up until now, 348 nations have participated, unless I am mistaken. You also spoke of hurdles that keep certain nations from participating or mean that they don't get the results they might have expected.
Will the proposed amendments to the First Nations Fiscal Management Act eliminate the hurdles for the nations that are hesitant to participate or would like to do so, but are not able to? Once again, I do know that participation is optional.
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- 04:57:38 p.m.
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I can only presume that that is indeed the case, obviously, because the nations are the ones who do the work and who have highlighted the existing hurdles. Out of the 348 nations, only 77 have had access to capital, which translates to about $1.6 billion. That is the clear objective of the act as is stands.
My answer is therefore a simple yes.
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- 04:58:02 p.m.
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Monday, I was told that the people who had been consulted are members of first nations that were already participating under the act. This leads me to believe that some nations did participate and did not receive any funding.
We've got the nations that were consulted, but what about those that weren't. I am guessing that if those nations aren't participating, it's because of obstacles. Maybe the act isn't attractive to them either. I can't say, and it's not up to me to do that. However, I wonder why you didn't consult them, if you hope to offer them the best possible choice of development tools.
My question is basically about the nations that aren't participating under the act.
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- 04:58:39 p.m.
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There are a large number of communities listed in the schedule, but not all of them are. Some communities see the act as colonial. Some communities have another vision of their self-determination, and others are experiencing difficulties that keep them from participating.
We will indeed have to keep up our efforts to be as inclusive as possible. I think the leaders of these organizations would be the first to say so.
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- 04:59:20 p.m.
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Okay. These nations weren't consulted, but we still know that...
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- 04:59:25 p.m.
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Not to my knowledge. But they might have been consulted through the band.
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- 04:59:27 p.m.
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It would be interesting to consult them afterwards. However, I do understand that it is a huge undertaking and that some considerations, whether they be ideological or political, can mean certain communities will choose not to participate under the First Nations Fiscal Management Act. Obviously, that is also their choice.
You said in your opening statement that certain hurdles have been eliminated. Setting aside those that are linked to the infrastructure project, what are the main hurdles that have been eliminated thanks to the amendments proposed in bill C‑45?
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- 05:00:01 p.m.
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It's mainly hurdles in terms of flexibility. The act still had a lot of impediments that gave more authority to the federal government. Now the communities will have more flexibility, more room to manoeuver in seeking access to capital.
More services will be provided. Institutions are taking a closer look at the consultations that we have done over the past few years and aim to make changes in keeping with the needs of communities who want better access to capital.
Bill C‑45 gives rise to tremendous hope. The communities have been waiting for it for a long time now, and I would be thrilled if you could speed up its passing. I know that the Senate will also have a say, but we would be most grateful.
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- 05:01:12 p.m.
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Thank you, Mrs. Gill.
Next, we have Ms. Idlout for six minutes.
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- 05:01:16 p.m.
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[Member spoke in Inuktitut, interpreted as follows:]
Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you to each of you for being present.
Minister Miller, thank you for your presence, for providing your presentation on the matter of the legislation, and for working with first nations organizations. This work was very important.
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- 05:01:51 p.m.
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I apologize. I'm not getting the English.
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- 05:01:53 p.m.
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Just one minute, Ms. Idlout.
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- 05:01:57 p.m.
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I hate to make you repeat it, but I wasn't getting anything.
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- 05:02:03 p.m.
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I won't lose time, right?
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- 05:02:06 p.m.
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I can't tell the committee what to do, but I hope she has her time.
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- 05:02:09 p.m.
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You'll have your full time back, Ms. Idlout.
Go ahead.
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- 05:02:12 p.m.
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[Member spoke in Inuktitut, interpreted as follows:]
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Minister Miller, for your presence, and thank you to your colleagues, as well. I'm glad to see everyone here.
The presentation you just provided was nice to listen to. You worked with first nations organizations in creating and implementing this bill. However, we all know we need other amendments to the bill. For instance, The Hill Times newspaper had an article regarding inadequate infrastructure due to a lack of proper funding in the amount of $349.2 billion. With the $349.2-billion envelope, and thinking of the laws or bills that will be amended, what other infrastructure will be created? How will this envelope of funding help reduce the gap in infrastructure?
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