Question Period Note: Public Accounts - CIRNAC

We continue to chart a new path forward with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples based on the recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership.

The Public Accounts of Crown-Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) demonstrate continued support to First Nations, Inuit, Métis peoples and Northerners to:
• improve their social well-being and economic prosperity;
• develop healthier, more sustainable communities; and
• participate more fully in Canada's political, social and economic development.
Our Public Accounts demonstrate that we are committed to ensuring that public funds are used in a responsible manner while we move forward with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners toward reconciliation.

The Public Accounts of Canada is an annual report prepared by the Receiver General. In order to ensure consistency in results, each department matches its financial information to information held centrally at the Receiver General.
The Departmental Public Accounts lapse of $695.8 million includes $626.9 million as a "planned lapse" in that CIRNAC will reprofile funds, beyond the carry forward, to spend in future years in order to meet its funding obligations.
Specifically, the "planned lapse" intended for targeted initiatives consists of:
­ $413.9 million for the Specific Claims Settlement Fund;
­ $91.3 million for the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (workforce adjustment, delivery funding and settlement allotment);
­ $47.0 million for out-of-court settlements;
­ $41.7 million for Federal Contaminated Sites;
­ $17.9 million for the Sixties Scoop settlement and;
­ $15.1 million for other targeted initiatives (Nutrition North Canada, Canadian High Arctic Research Station, Treaty Land Entitlements for Manitoba and Saskatchewan and Sex-based inequities).

The remaining unused funds of $36.1 million will be spent for various other purposes (including carry forwards).
The majority of the “planned lapses” are due to the timing and progress of negotiations, which is why the funds are moved to future years so that they can be used for their intended purposes.
CIRNAC’s total net lapse is approximately $32.8 million, representing less than 0.7% of its overall budget of $5.1 billion.
A comparison to the previous year’s net lapse would not be a proper comparator due to the structural changes that have occurred in transferring CIRNAC programming to the Department of Indigenous Services Canada.

If pressed on Minister’s Travel to the North

Travel is incurred by the Minister’s office to ensure that CIRNAC is meeting the Government’s obligations and commitments to First Nations, Inuit and Métis, and to fulfill the federal government's constitutional responsibilities in the North.
Canada’s North is vast and sparsely populated. Many communities do not have all season roads and are accessible only by air.
As a result, travel in the North is expensive.
Travel is conducted in a manner that ensures prudent and responsible use of public funds.
All travel by Ministers is proactively disclosed on Open Canada.

If pressed on ‘Transition’

On November 30, 2017, CIRNAC transferred the Education and Social Development Programs and Partnership, and Regional Operations Sectors to Indigenous Services Canada.
As a result, CIRNAC’s 2018-19 Public Accounts exclude these sectors. Consequently, the 2017-18 amounts are in some cases different because that fiscal year includes 8 months of program operations prior to the transfer of these programs over to ISC.

If pressed on Contingent Liabilities

Our Government is honoring its lawful obligations and advancing reconciliation by working to resolve claims through negotiations.
We believe that negotiation over litigation is the best way to right historical wrongs and settle past grievances.
Negotiation is often less costly, and in addition to compensation, is able to achieve investments in healing, commemoration, wellness and culture initiatives.
Together, we will chart a path forward that advances reconciliation and builds a stronger future for Indigenous peoples and Canadians.

If Pressed on Lapsed Funding 2018-19

The Department is committed to ensuring that funds for Indigenous peoples and Northerners are properly allocated.
CIRNAC is transforming how we relate to, and work in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to accelerate the renewal of our relationship with First Nations, Inuit and Metis, on a distinction-basis, to support Indigenous visions of self-determination.
Through sound financial management, significant advancement is being made to deliver this department’s mandate.
The majority of funding lapses from 2018-2019 are due to the timing and progress of negotiations, which is why the funds are moved to future years so that they can be used for their intended purposes.