AANO Committee Report

Government Response to the First Report of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

Endorsement of the Kelowna Agreement

Colin Mayes, M.P.
Chair
Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
House of Commons
Ottawa ON  K1A 0A6

Dear Mr. Mayes:

I am pleased to respond, on behalf of the Government of Canada, to the First Report of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, regarding the document entitled “Strengthening Relationships and Closing the Gap”, which was released on November 25, 2005, by the previous federal government.

The Government of Canada supports the targets and objectives outlined at the First Ministers’ Meeting with National Aboriginal Leaders on November 24 and 25, 2005, in Kelowna, British Columbia. The Government also acknowledges the significance of bringing together the First Ministers and National Aboriginal Leaders in a spirit of shared responsibility to improving the lives of Aboriginal peoples. The targets and objectives discussed at the meeting in Kelowna were the result of collaborative processes undertaken to identify shared priorities to address Aboriginal socio-economic conditions and to close the gap between Aboriginal peoples and other Canadians, notably in education, housing, health, and social services.

Following the First Ministers’ Meeting, the government of the day issued a press release identifying proposed federal investments for priority areas totalling $5.1 billion over 5 years. This document, however, was not supported by a detailed financial plan on how any funding would be distributed. It was generally recognized by First Ministers and National Aboriginal Leaders that further work was needed to develop the policies, programmes and implementation plans required to achieve the proposed targets and outcomes.

The First Ministers’ Meeting represented an important step by federal and provincial/territorial governments and National Aboriginal Leaders towards improving the quality of life of Aboriginal peoples, and closing the socio-economic gap between Aboriginal peoples and other Canadians. This Government supports these basic goals but has a different approach to that of its predecessor in achieving them. The approach being taken by this Government to deal with the issues identified by First Ministers and National Aboriginal Leaders is based on workable solutions, directed and targeted expenditures, and measurable results. Now is the time to build on what took place in November 2005, and to develop a practical and focussed way forward.

The Government is committed to working respectfully and cooperatively with Aboriginal organizations, and provinces and territories, to develop a new approach to improving the lives of Aboriginal peoples. This work will draw upon and reinforce basic democratic values — transparency, accountability and responsibility — in bringing clarity to the roles and responsibilities among all parties.

This Government has already taken a number of important steps. On March 21, 2006, I announced an Action Plan to address the long-standing crisis confronting a number of First Nation communities with respect to potable water and sewage treatment. And on May 31, 2006, with the Assembly of First Nations, I announced the formation of a three-member expert panel. This panel will examine and provide options on the establishment of a regulatory framework to ensure safe drinking water in First Nations communities.

The federal budget tabled on May 2, 2006, was a further demonstration of the Government’s new approach and commitment to specific action to improve the lives of First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples:

• $450 million for improving water supply and housing on reserve, education outcomes, and socio-economic conditions for Aboriginal women, children and families;
• a one-time investment of up to $300 million to the provinces to address immediate pressures in off-reserve Aboriginal housing;
• a one-time investment of up to $300 million to increase the supply of affordable housing in the territories; and
• $2.2 billion to meet the Government’s obligations associated with the legacy of residential schools.

At the same time, however, this Government recognizes that simply putting more money into existing programs and services is not the solution. It is clear that resolving the deep-rooted and complex issues of Aboriginal socio-economic conditions will require a long-term commitment on the part of federal/provincial/territorial governments and Aboriginal leaders to structural reform and innovation. Strong accountability and governance structures will be essential to ensure concrete improvements in outcomes and to ensure programs are effective. This includes modernizing the legislative framework that governs the relationship between Canada and First Nations peoples.

For example, on June 20, 2006, I announced nation-wide consultations on the issue of matrimonial real property on reserve for Fall 2006. And on July 5, 2006, I signed a tripartite agreement that will lead to the recognition of First Nations’ jurisdiction over First Nations’ education in British Columbia. The agreement will strengthen First Nations’ capacity to exercise control over their education systems, and play a vital role in ultimately improving the quality of life of First Nations peoples.

In this same spirit, this Government will work with Aboriginal leaders and provincial and territorial government representatives to develop a new approach to make real improvements in health outcomes for Aboriginal peoples in Canada, such as timely access to quality health care services. The Government is also making investments in key Aboriginal health issues, such as diabetes prevention, suicide prevention and maternal/child health programs, and increasing the number of Aboriginal health care providers.

The Government is also committed to the North. Budget 2006 provided $500 million to assist communities affected by the Mackenzie Gas Project. In addition to making progress on land claims and self-government agreements, my priorities include devolving province-like land and resource management responsibilities to territorial governments, including negotiating resource revenue sharing arrangements that will benefit all Northerners, including Aboriginal peoples.

This Government, based on a pragmatic approach which emphasizes real results and accountability, has made a commitment to move forward with its partners to make a genuine difference in addressing issues of Aboriginal socio-economic conditions.

With the assistance of this committee and Parliament, working in concert with Aboriginal and provincial/territorial partners, the Government will deal with the structural issues which underlie Aboriginal poverty, and make tangible progress in creating new opportunity for Aboriginal Canadians.

Sincerely,

The Honourable Jim Prentice, PC, QC, M.P.

c.c.: Mr. Roger Préfontaine