Question Period Note: 2018-19 Departmental Results Report – Northern Affairs

• The Northern Affairs team within CIRNAC remain committed to supporting Canada’s Arctic in the pursuit of a strong, inclusive, vibrant, prosperous, and self-sufficient north.

• As reported, in September 2019, we launched the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework. This Framework was co-developed with territorial and provincial partners, as well as representatives of northern Indigenous governments and organizations.

• In this report you will also note that we continued our work to advance devolution in Nunavut, as well as update and expand Nutrition North.

• We will continue our efforts towards federal coordination, natural resource and environment management, territorial relations, and effective delivery of federal programing.

CIRNAC financials

Departmental Spending Trend (from 2016–17 to 2021–22)
For the period 2016–17 to 2018–19
CIRNAC’s actual spending for 2018–19 was $4.4 billion, a net decrease of approximately $4.7 billion over a 3-year period from 2016–17. This is due to in large part to:
• The transfer of the Education and Social Development Programs and Partnerships and Regional Operations Sectors to Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) as of November 30, 2017 pursuant to Orders in Council (-$6,365.4 million)

Offset by:
• An increase in spending for specific claims settlements (+$381.4 million)
• An increase in spending for special claims settlements (+$769.0 million)
For the period 2018–19 to 2021–22
For the period 2018–19 to 2021–22, spending is expected to decrease from $4.4 billion in 2018–19 to $3.2 billion in 2021–22. The net decrease of $1.3 billion can be explained in 2 parts.
1) Spending is expected to increase from $4.4 billion in 2018–19 to $6.0 billion in 2019–20. The increase of $1.6 billion primarily reflects an increase in funding for the settlement of Childhood Claims and the Sixties Scoop settlement offset by the decrease in spending related to the specific claims settlements and the special claims settlements.
2) For the period 2019–20 to 2021–22, spending is expected to decrease from $6.0 billion in 2019–20 to $3.2 billion in 2021–22. This decrease of $2.9 billion is in large part due to:
o Change in the approved funding profile for the settlement of Childhood Claims as per the projected timing of payment (-$873.2 million)
o The sunset of funding of the Sixties Scoop settlement as payments are expected to be completed in 2019–20 (-$750.0 million)
o The decrease in approved funding level related to the specific claims settlements (-$644.9 million).

CIRNAC priorities for advancing work in the North:
• CIRNAC launched the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework on September 10, 2019. In 2018–19, the Framework was co-developed and co-drafted with territorial and provincial partners as well as with representatives of northern Indigenous governments and organizations. Further engagement was completed to revise and validate the goals and objectives of the draft Framework.
• CIRNAC continued to work with the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated to advance devolution in Nunavut.
• CIRNAC continued to update and expand the Nutrition North Canada Program, in consultation with northern communities.

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