Question Period Note: Supplementary Estimates (A) 2018-2019 CIR

These Supplementary Estimates include adjustments totaling $274 million.
This funding ensures that the Department will be able to continue to make concrete steps to address the needs of Indigenous peoples.

Funding to renew 25 self-governing Indigenous government fiscal transfer arrangements

There are 25 self-governing Indigenous governments in Canada, each of which receives funding through a fiscal transfer agreement. The self-government agreement Canada has negotiated with each government require periodic renewal of these fiscal transfer agreements.
In August and September 2019, the Government concluded 24 renewal fiscal transfer agreements with self-governing Indigenous governments. Each of these fiscal transfer agreements implements Canada’s self-government fiscal policy, including increased funding for governance and land and resource management.
Negotiations with the Nunatsiavut Government are ongoing. redacted

Advancing reconciliation on Aboriginal rights and fisheries

On January 28, 2017, Canada and Heiltsuk signed the Haίƚcίstut: Framework Agreement for Reconciliation, which identified negotiating priorities important to Heiltsuk.
On January 28, 2018, Heiltsuk submitted the "Haίƚcίstut: The Heiltsuk Vision for Recognition and Reconciliation" to Canada, laying out the steps needed for reconciliation and outlines a proposal for approximately $42 million, which included priority House Posts.
On January 30, 2019, authorities were approved allowing CIRNAC and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to negotiate and sign a three-year Reconciliation Agreement with the Heiltsuk to provide an investment of $36.96 million from CIRNAC and $4.95 million from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, to address the House Posts (totaling $41.91 million). redacted
On July 25, 2019, Canada and Heiltsuk signed the Haíɫcístut Incremental House Post Agreement which legally binds Canada to provide Heiltsuk funding for the community priorities on the condition of and subject to the appropriation of funds by the Parliament of Canada, Treasury Board policies and directives and the completion of one or more funding agreements between the Parties.
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25 self-governing Indigenous government fiscal transfer arrangements

Budget 2019 announced that the government would invest in a new co developed collaborative self-government fiscal policy, including a new approach to governance funding and an approach to land and resource management responsibilities.
The new policy approaches for governance and land and resource management are more generous than the previous approaches. The proposed funding under this line item will support the application of these approaches to all 25 Self-Governing Indigenous Governments that are subject to the new policy.
The Government has already reached agreement to renew 24 fiscal transfer arrangements, including provisions to implement the new policy measures.

Advancing reconciliation on Aboriginal rights and fisheries

In order to advance the relationship between Canada and Heiltsuk and improve socio-economic conditions in their community, Heiltusk needed to see tangible results from reconciliation negotiations.
The Canada-Heiltsuk Haíɫcístut Incremental House Post Agreement signed earlier this year committed federal investments in priority areas that can be advanced in the short term and address Heiltsuk’s vision of reconciliation.
Heiltsuk’s priorities include self-government, housing and infrastructure, economic development, language revitalization and preservation.
The funding included here, which was announced in Budget 2019, will enable Heiltsuk to start implementing the $36.96 million grant from CIRNAC over the next 3 years.

Funding for internal support services

Two departments will better serve the distinct needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. We are improving the delivery of services while accelerating a move to self-government and self-determination of Indigenous peoples.
The departments were provided with additional funding of $117 million over a period of three years with an ongoing component of $19 million. From the additional funding, $59.7 million was attributed to set-up and transition costs to create separate departments, and the integration of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch from Health Canada to ISC.
The money reflected in Supps A that we are discussing today simply reflects a carry forward of some of these funds.