Question Period Note: 2018-19 Departmental Plan – Northern Affairs

• In 2020-21, CIRNAC remains committed to the pursuit of a strong, inclusive, vibrant, prosperous, and self-sufficient north.

• Building on the successful launch of the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework in 2019, we will continue to co-develop governance mechanisms and support a movement from co-development to co-implementation.

• We will also continue to advance devolution in Nunavut, and to pursue regulatory frameworks in the North.

• Efforts will continue to remediate contaminated sites, improve Nutrition North Canada, and build long-term capacity for healthier and more resilient communities.

CIRNAC financials
Departmental Spending Trend
For the period of 2018–19 to 2019–20, spending has increased from $4.4 billion to $7.9 billion. The increase of $3.5 billion primary reflects the following:
• increase in funding for the Federal Indian Day Schools settlement claims (+$2.0 billion);
• increase in one-time funding to forgive comprehensive land claim negotiation loans (+$919.0 million);
• increase in funding for the Sixties Scoop settlement (+$631.3 million).
For the period of 2019–20 to 2020–21 spending is expected to decrease from $7.9 billion to $4.9 billion. The decrease of $3.0 billion primary reflects the following:
• decrease in funding for the Federal Indian Day School settlement claims as per anticipated spending (-$1.0 billion);
• the sunset of one-time funding to forgive comprehensive land claim negotiation loans ( $919.0 million);
• the sunset of funding for the Sixties Scoop settlement as it is expected to be completed in 2019–20 (-$767.9 million);
• decrease in funding to settle specific claims as per anticipated spending ( $171.1 million).
For the period of 2020–21 to 2022–23, spending is expected to decrease from $4.9 billion to $2.2 billion. The decrease of $2.7 billion primarily reflects the following changes in funding:
• the decrease in approved funding level related to the specific claims settlements ( $1.4 billion);
• the sunset of time-limited funding for the Federal Indian Day School settlement claims as it is anticipated to be completed in 2021–22 (-$1.0 billion).
The planned spending figures above reflect the current approved funding level for the Department and these figures will be adjusted as new funding is approved. Decisions on the renewal of the sunset initiatives will be taken in futures budgets and reflected in future estimates.
CIRNAC priorities
Accelerating the renewal of the relationship with Indigenous peoples
• CIRNAC will continue discussions to co-develop modern treaties, self-government agreements and other constructive arrangements, and to explore new ways of working with Indigenous communities. In addition, CIRNAC will continue to work with First Nations, in collaboration with the Joint Technical Working Group, on process, policy and legislative reforms to the specific claims process. This work will include exploring options on enhancing the independence of the process.
• CIRNAC will continue advancing the implementation of the Recognition and Reconciliation of Rights Policy for Treaty Negotiations in British Columbia. The Department will support and enable approaches to the negotiation of treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements between Canada, British Columbia and participating Indigenous Nations in British Columbia.
• CIRNAC will continue work to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Calls for Justice, in partnership with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
• CIRNAC will support the work of the Department of Justice to introduce co-developed legislation to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). This legislation will fully respect the intent of the UNDRIP and will chart a path to reconciliation.
• CIRNAC will complete the remaining Independent Assessment Process claims as per the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. It is anticipated that all claims will be completed by March 31, 2021.
• CIRNAC continues to lead the implementation of Calls to Action 72 to 76. The Department remains committed to engaging and collaborating with Indigenous communities and organizations, provincial and territorial governments, knowledge keepers, survivors of Indian Residential Schools and their families to ensure the proper documenting of the children who died or went missing, as well as maintaining, commemorating and protecting residential schools cemeteries.
Modernizing institutional structures and governance to support self-determination
• CIRNAC will continue to move forward together with Indigenous partners to ensure that Indigenous peoples are in control of their own destiny and making decisions about their communities. To this end, CIRNAC will continue to work with representatives of the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Métis National Council through the permanent bilateral mechanisms to advance joint priorities, co-develop policies and monitor ongoing progress.
• In an effort to improve Canada’s treaty relationship with Indigenous peoples, CIRNAC will work with Indigenous partners to design and establish a new National Treaty Commissioner’s Office.
• CIRNAC will support Indigenous organizations, communities and governments in advancing their governance institutions and regimes. Specifically, the Department will continue to support First Nations in exercising jurisdiction in the areas of financial management, property taxation, local revenues generation and access to capital through the 3 First Nations fiscal institutions (First Nations Financial Management Board, First Nations Tax Commission, and First Nations Finance Authority).
• CIRNAC will continue to work with national and regional Indigenous organizations (including the Lands Advisory Board, First Nations Land Management Resource Centre, and National Aboriginal Land Managers Association) to implement various initiatives relating to First Nation land management and additions to reserves, including increasing participation in the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management.
Advancing work in the North
• CIRNAC is committed to supporting Canada’s Arctic and northern regions in the spirit of partnership and reconciliation, and in the pursuit of a strong, inclusive, vibrant, prosperous, and self-sufficient North.
• CIRNAC will continue the ongoing work on the implementation of the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework, as well as work on the Nunavut Devolution Final Agreement. In addition, the Department will continue to update Nutrition North Canada, as well as lead efforts towards federal coordination of natural resource and environment management, territorial relations, and effective delivery of federal programing to support a future where the Arctic and Northerners are thriving, strong, and safe.
• To meet the unique needs and realities of the North, CIRNAC will also finalize the creation of the Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program to clean up the largest and most high-risk sites, as well as focus on priorities shared with territorial and Indigenous governments, including sustainable economic growth, climate change and hydroelectricity initiatives. The Department will also continue to support Indigenous governance through the full implementation of land claims and self-governing agreements, health, and strategic infrastructure.

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