THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL FINANCE
EVIDENCE
OTTAWA, Tuesday, May 4, 2021
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met by videoconference this day at 2:30 p.m. [ET] to study the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022.
Senator Percy Mockler (Chair) in the chair.
[English]
The Chair: Honourable senators, before we begin, I would like to remind senators and witnesses to keep your microphones muted at all times unless recognized by name by the chair.
[Translation]
If you’re experiencing technical difficulties, in particular with the interpretation, please let the chair or the clerk know. We’ll work to resolve the issue. If you’re experiencing other technical difficulties, please contact the ISD using the technical support number provided.
[English]
Honourable senators, the use of online platforms does not guarantee speech privacy or that eavesdropping will not be conducted. As such, while conducting committee meetings, all participants should be aware of such limitations and restrict the possible disclosure of sensitive, private and privileged Senate information. Participants should also know to do so in a private area and to be mindful of their surroundings.
We will now begin with the official portion, honourable senators, of our meeting. My name is Percy Mockler, a senator from New Brunswick and chair of the committee.
I would like to introduce the members of the committee who are participating in this meeting: Senator Boehm, Senator Dagenais, Senator Deacon, Senator Duncan, Senator Forest, Senator Galvez, Senator Klyne, Senator Loffreda, Senator Richards and Senator Smith.
I welcome all of you and viewers across the country who may be watching on sencanada.ca. This afternoon, we continue our study of the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022, which was referred to the committee on March 15 as an order of reference from the Senate of Canada.
Today we welcome two departments. First, from Indigenous Services Canada, we welcome Philippe Thompson, Chief Finances, Results and Delivery Officer. Mr. Thompson is accompanied by the Acting Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Keith Conn; by the Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy and Partnerships Sector, Gail Mitchell; and by the Director General, Regional Infrastructure Delivery Branch, Claudia Ferland.
From the Public Health Agency of Canada, we welcome the Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, Martin Krumins. He is accompanied by the Acting Vice-President, Emergency Management, Cindy Evans; by the Vice-President, Health Security Regional Operations Branch, Brigitte Diogo; by the Vice-President, Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Branch, Candice St-Aubin; and also the Vice-President, Immunization Program Branch, Kimberly Elmslie.
Welcome to you, and thank you for accepting our invitation to participate in our study. We will hear opening remarks, which will be followed by questions from the senators. As chair, I will ask Mr. Krumins to make his comments, followed by Mr. Thompson. Mr. Krumins, the floor is yours.
Martin Krumins, Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, Public Health Agency of Canada: Honourable senators, my colleagues and I thank you for the opportunity to present the Public Health Agency of Canada’s initial spending plans for the fiscal year 2021-22. I am accompanied by my officials, as noted by the chair.
The agency continues to play a pivotal role in the Government of Canada’s response to the COVID pandemic. The 2021-22 Main Estimates reflect this continuity as the agency seeks the resources necessary to carry out its mandate, including the acquisition of vaccines and the purchase of personal protective gear and medical equipment.
The 2021-22 Main Estimates request is just over $8.75 billion. The increase of $8.1 billion over last year’s Main Estimates is entirely attributable to the agency’s response to COVID-19. The majority of this increase, $5.5 billion to be exact, is comprised of unspent funding from the last fiscal year being reprofiled to 2021-22. These reprofiles are necessary to align the availability of funding in the same fiscal year as the expected disbursement of the funds.
Altogether, the agency is seeking $8.2 billion in operating, $26.2 million in capital, and $426.7 million in grants and contributions.
If you allow me, I will take the next few minutes to highlight the key items in these Main Estimates.
First, vaccination programs are scaling up across the country. As a result, we are seeking $5 billion for the acquisition of vaccines. This started last year and will continue in the new fiscal year. This is not new funding; in fact, it is part of the previously announced $9.2 billion vaccine envelope that was originally accessed in last year’s Supplementary Estimates (B) and Supplementary Estimates (C) to allow the agency to enter into advance purchase agreements with vaccine manufacturers and to pay for the doses received from successful vaccine candidates. Through these Main Estimates, this funding is moved from 2021 into 2022 to align the availability of funds with the delivery of these vaccines.
Second, the agency is continuously operating and adapting to support provinces, territories and Indigenous and local communities in protecting Canadians from contracting the virus. As a result, the agency is seeking $1.7 billion for protective and medical equipment. This is also a continuation of previously announced commitments of $8.6 billion over two years. This funding will continue to support the rapid procurement of essential PPE, medical equipment and supplies to meet the urgent needs of provinces, territories and Indigenous and other partners.
Also being funded through these Main Estimates is $463.6 million for the surge capacity of the agency. This is in addition to the $227 million that we received in 2021, for a total of $690.6 million over two years. This funding will permit the addition of 1,343 positions and will stabilize key agency resources and operations for its response to the COVID pandemic.
The agency is also seeking $256 million for border and travel health measures and isolation sites. This is in addition to the $508.8 million we received in the previous year, for a total of $764.8 million. This funding will help create and implement a strengthened border and travel health program, including border testing. It will also support municipalities in providing safe voluntary isolation spaces to protect against further transmission. The Main Estimates, however, do not include recent announcements in Budget 2021 to support border and travel health measures. This funding will be accessed through the upcoming Supplementary Estimates (A).
Finally, the agency is also seeking funding for a number of other initiatives, such as serosurveillance, vaccine deployment, vaccine information campaigns and for its regular programming.
As I conclude my remarks, I would like to once again thank you and my colleagues at the agency for their dedication in protecting the health of fellow Canadians during these very difficult times. Finally, my colleagues and I would like to thank you for this opportunity to speak about the work of the agency. We are now pleased to answer your questions.
Philippe Thompson, Chief Finances, Results and Delivery Officer, Indigenous Services Canada: Thank you, Mr. Chair and honourable senators, for the opportunity to discuss the 2021-22 Main Estimates for Indigenous Services Canada.
I would like to acknowledge that Canada’s Parliament is located on the unceded traditional territory of the Algonquin people.
With me is Gail Mitchell, Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy and Partnerships Sector; Keith Conn, Acting Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch; and Claudia Ferland, Director General, Regional Infrastructure Delivery Branch.
[Translation]
I want to take a moment to update you on pandemic activity in Indigenous communities. On May 3, we were aware of 761 active cases of COVID-19 in on-reserve First Nations communities. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 27,489. Of that number, 26,410 people have recovered and, unfortunately, 318 people have died.
On April 30, vaccination was under way in 661 First Nations and Inuit communities in Canada. Over 369,000 doses have been administered. Vaccination is critical to stopping the spread of COVID-19 and ensuring a return to normal life.
[English]
The department works closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada, other Government of Canada departments, provincial and territorial governments, as well as Indigenous partners to protect the health and safety of Indigenous people. This includes supporting Indigenous partners in responding to public health threats.
I will now turn to the topic of today’s meeting. For the 2021-22 Main Estimates, our portion is $13.5 billion. It should be noted that the Main Estimates are the first step in the fiscal cycle and do not include additional approvals or funding that stems from Budget 2021. Funding for additional approvals will be accessed through future estimates.
The 2021-22 Main Estimates reflects a net increase of approximately $693.9 million, or 5%, compared to last year’s Main Estimates. The major changes include the following: a net increase of $508.6 million to improve access to safe, clean drinking water in First Nation communities; an increase of $122.6 million to supportive care in Indigenous communities; a net increase of $104.7 million for elementary and secondary education, as well as post-secondary education programs; a net increase of $98.7 million to support the implementation of An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families and the ongoing reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services program; an increase of $93.5 million for the continuation of public health response in Indigenous communities, and a decrease of $380.5 million for infrastructure projects in Indigenous communities.
[Translation]
About 95% of departmental resources are allocated to providing support or services to Indigenous peoples. The Main Estimates set out approximately $11.3 billion in transfer payments to fund services provided by First Nations community governments, tribal councils, health authorities and other organizations. The additional operational funding is primarily for health-related goods and services. It isn’t covered by provinces and territories or by private insurance plans under the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program.
[English]
In 2021-22, the department will focus, in partnership with Indigenous people, on the following four interconnected priority areas.
First, advancing health, which includes supporting Indigenous leadership to respond to, plan for and prevent the negative impacts of the pandemic; implementation of a distinction-based Indigenous mental wellness strategy; and continue to work toward the elimination of anti-Indigenous racism in the health care system and advance Joyce’s Principle.
The second priority area is supporting families, which works to support Indigenous children and families to be and stay together, to support Indigenous children with culturally relevant education and upbringing, and to transfer the care and control of culturally appropriate services to Indigenous communities.
The third priority is helping build sustainable communities, building reliable and sustainable infrastructure like housing, water services, roads and bridges in order to fully benefit from and contribute to their communities.
The final priority is supporting Indigenous communities in self-determination, which includes supporting Indigenous communities, increased capacity for managing the day-to-day business of government, as well as increasing opportunities for economic recovery post-pandemic.
[Translation]
The four priority areas are working together to ensure that the needs and concerns of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people are acknowledged. These areas provide support wherever it’s needed at the individual, family, community and national levels. Mr. Chair, these Main Estimates will enable us to keep taking concrete action to address the needs of Indigenous peoples. I look forward to discussing all aspects of this budget with you. We would be pleased to answer your questions regarding this presentation. Thank you.
The Chair: Thank you, gentlemen, for your comments.
[English]
We will now proceed to questions from the senators. To each senator, we have a maximum of six minutes; therefore, please ask the questions directly. To the witnesses, please respond concisely.
[Translation]
Senator Forest: I want to thank the representatives of the Public Health Agency of Canada and Indigenous Services Canada.
My first question is about the Public Health Agency of Canada. It specifically concerns human resources. Ms. Evans or Ms. Diogo could try to respond.
The last time we saw each other, we spoke about an internal report, released in September 2020, entitled Lessons Learned from the Public Health Agency of Canada’s COVID-19 Response. The report stated that the agency was understaffed in various areas. You acknowledged the need to hire additional staff.
I have two questions. In the budget plan before us, how many additional staff are you planning to hire? Can you give us a breakdown by position, including epidemiologists and emergency management? That second part could be addressed in writing and sent to the clerk.
Brigitte Diogo, Vice-President, Health Security Regional Operations Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada: Thank you for the question. We’ll provide a written response to the committee. Thank you.
The Chair: Ms. Diogo, we would like a response by May 12. Is that fine with you?
Ms. Diogo: Absolutely.
Senator Forest: Given the budget before us, can you estimate the number of anticipated hires and send us that information in writing?
Ms. Diogo: Yes. I think that it would be best to send you the information in writing. We could also provide an update on all the hiring that we’ve done. In the regional operations section, in particular, to support our operations in the regions and at the border, we’ve done a great deal of staffing over the past few months. We’ll send you this information in writing.
Senator Forest: Thank you. My second question is about Indigenous Services Canada.
In terms of access to justice and addressing systemic racism, we’ve spoken extensively and quite rightly about systemic racism and discrimination against Indigenous people. The budget announced a $74.8-million investment over three years to develop an Indigenous justice strategy to address systemic discrimination and the over-representation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system.
Can you elaborate on this strategy?
Mr. Thompson: Thank you for the question. The funding announced in the budget is largely earmarked for the Department of Justice. It will be used to improve access to justice. I believe that funding is also allocated to training.
That said, if you want to know more about the department’s work to address systemic racism in health care, Mr. Conn could elaborate on the department’s efforts to implement Joyce’s Principle.
Senator Forest: Yes, please.
[English]
Keith Conn, Acting Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Indigenous Services Canada: Thank you for the question.
We have held two national gatherings with provinces, territories, Indigenous leaders, physicians, the nursing community and NGOs to come together in terms of developing a solid, concrete action plan moving forward. We’ve had a lot of discussions and working group sessions to develop strategies, to build on existing strategies that may not have worked out well, and also looking at working with the health care institutions, hospitals, health clinics, et cetera, across the nation. That’s part of the investment we’re responsible for at Indigenous Services Canada.
We’re planning on having a gathering in June of this year to bring together the collective energies and knowledge systems to bring to bear around the development of a national action plan to address systemic racism in the health care system. We’ll have more to report in the coming two months in terms of providing more detailed information. We can come back to the committee clerk on that. Thank you.
[Translation]
Senator Forest: I have a question for Indigenous Services Canada regarding infrastructure. In terms of infrastructure maintenance and construction, the needs are so great that the department seems to be in constant emergency mode.
Does the department have a medium-term and long-term plan for the state of infrastructure and the specific needs of each community in order to be proactive rather than reactive?
Mr. Thompson: Thank you for the question. There are indeed significant infrastructure needs and major investments to close the gap between Indigenous communities and the rest of Canada. We have a great deal of information available on the department’s website. However, I’ll ask Ms. Ferland to provide more information.
Claudia Ferland, Director General, Regional Infrastructure Delivery Branch, Indigenous Services Canada Thank you, Senator Forest and Mr. Thompson. Yes, as Mr. Thompson said and as you mentioned, the needs are substantial.
As you know, we’re working with First Nations to identify their needs based on a five-year plan and to assess their infrastructure. In addition, we’re about to launch a series of undertakings with First Nations, Métis people and Inuit to learn about their views, needs and realities in order to implement a longer-term plan. Our goal is to close the gap between First Nations, Métis people and Inuit and other communities.
Senator Forest: Thank you.
[English]
Senator Klyne: Welcome to our guests. I have some questions for ISC.
On page 82 of the Main Estimates, there is a $1.5 billion grant listed to support the new fiscal relationship for First Nations under the Indian Act. Can you please tell the committee what the new fiscal relationship is and provide us with a description of the type of support or specific programming that this grant will address?
Mr. Thompson: Thank you very much for the question.
I am pleased I have my colleague Gail Mitchell with us today. She is responsible for the administration of the 10-year grant, so she is in a great position to provide you with the information on this grant.
Gail Mitchell, Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy and Partnerships Sector, Indigenous Services Canada: Thank you, senator, for the question.
The fiscal grant, the new fiscal relationship and the 10-year grant, is a new approach to supporting communities in achieving their goals with respect to self-determination.
We have approximately 110, give or take, communities currently using the 10-year grant as a mechanism. It includes funding for education, social programs, some elements of infrastructure, governance, and land-related and economic services.
Basically, the principle is it’s a predictable flow of funding over a 10-year horizon. It provides maximum flexibility for communities to establish their priorities. It lessens and diminishes the reporting burden. I’m sure the committee members have heard over the years about the burden of reporting on results against program stream. It’s really intended to equip communities with the tools to be able to establish what their priorities are and fund those accordingly.
We are in a continuous year-over-year call-out and invitation to communities to apply to be part of the grant. I’m happy to report that we have seen a steady growth in the number of communities that are taking advantage of it.
Senator Klyne: Great. I’m glad to hear that getting into some multiple-year situations.
The second question is — and here is another delightful thing — I’m glad to see that the federal government is providing $1.98 billion in contributions to support First Nations elementary and secondary educational advancement. As we know, increasing the rate of elementary and post-secondary education and attainment, particularly post-secondary, is essential to the future productivity and capacity of Canada. Can you provide this committee with information about a baseline and benchmarking First Nations educational attainment and the key performance indicators the government will be using to track progress on closing the gap between First Nations and non-Indigenous educational attainment, and how do these funds differ from the $300 million for the contributions to support the First Nations post-secondary education strategy?
Mr. Thompson: Thank you very much for the question.
The government has made significant investments in post-secondary education over the last few years. We have implemented a new formula as well for education. In terms of the detailed information that you are asking for, if possible, it would be easier for us to provide you with that information in writing. I don’t have that information right now in front of me.
I don’t know if my colleague from Strategic Policy would like to add anything on post-secondary education to enrich the answer.
Ms. Mitchell: Thank you for the question.
If I understood the question correctly, senator, you are asking about both K to 12 as well as post-secondary education.
On the K to 12, Philippe mentioned that significant new investments have been made. Basically, the principle has been to align with provincial comparability to ensure that funding to First Nations is aligning with what provinces are investing. That’s the funding piece. On the post-secondary side, we have made significant investments over the past number of years to support First Nations, Inuit and Métis students.
We have also, through the pandemic, provided additional funding in both of these streams to support educational institutions to deliver to communities and to individual students, as well as to just generally manage, whether that’s upgrades to facilities to cope with the requirements of the pandemic, so those are at a high level.
In terms of indicators, the percentage of students who are achieving graduation from high school is a key indicator. That’s something we have been pursuing as a key gap that we want to close. As you know, the rates of graduation are lower for First Nations than they are for the general population. That’s an area of focus.
Senator Klyne: Thank you, and we would appreciate that other information when you have it available.
Again, for ISC, the Main Estimates include $15.9 million for contributions to support the Aboriginal Economic Development Strategic Partnerships initiative. If I understand correctly, that was a Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada program that began in June 2011 and was to end in March 2019, I think, and was meant to receive $14.5 million annually. This is now listed under ISC funding for these estimates and passed the aforementioned end date of March 2019. Could you please provide this committee with some background and specific aims of the $15.9 million in the Main Estimates?
Mr. Thompson: Thank you very much for the question.
The SPI is a horizontal initiative that is led by Indigenous Services Canada but includes different government departments. We are trying to work together to stimulate economic development in Indigenous communities. The departments that have different programming that can help in the economic development are joining together and supporting that initiative.
This is the $15 million that you have right now. This is solely the portion that is related to Indigenous Services Canada, but you would also have other government departments contributing in that initiative. It is really demonstrating joint effort and collaboration between federal stakeholders and federal partners. Rather than going in different ways to different communities, it’s really having that uniform approach and collaboration. That’s what you see in that initiative.
Senator Klyne: Are you able to tell us who the other agencies are that are also contributing to that? You can send that information to us.
The Chair: Mr. Krumins and Mr. Thompson, do we agree that you will follow up with your team on written answers to the clerk by the date we are asking you, which is Wednesday, May 12?
Mr. Krumins: Yes, I can confirm that for the Public Health Agency.
The Chair: Thank you.
Senator Richards: Thank you to the witnesses for coming today; I appreciate it.
I’ll start off with a brief statement. I have mentored many First Nations kids in my life. We try, at our university, to recruit many First Nations students, and there are varying degrees of success. I hope it improves over the next two years. We certainly need them, I’ll tell you that.
I have two quick questions perhaps to two different panel members. Why is there such a continuous and chronic water problem on First Nations reserves? This has gone on not only through the mandate of subsequent governments but has been a crisis with subsequent band councils. This problem is not simply fiscal. It has to be government- and personnel-based. Can someone clarify that for me?
Mr. Thompson: Thank you very much for the question.
As you know, this is a priority for the organization. We are investing an additional $508.6 million through the Main Estimates for safe drinking water. Of course, the pandemic has represented a challenge for us in advancing that very important priority. I will turn to Ms. Ferland from our department to provide you with more information with regard to that priority.
Ms. Ferland: Thank you, Senator Richards and Mr. Thompson.
As you know, the Government of Canada is working in partnership with First Nations communities to build a long-term solution to support sustainable access to safe, clean drinking water and to restore the water supplies. Recently, we have lifted 106 long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves since 2015.
Despite the unprecedented challenges due to COVID-19, First Nations have demonstrated resilience in their work to ensure clean water is accessible to communities. Since the onset of the pandemic measures in 2020, 17 First Nations, supported by Indigenous Services Canada, have lifted 18 additional long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves, improving the clean water for over 1,000 homes, as well as 83 community buildings.
We continue to work with First Nations and Canadians and would like to ensure that First Nations communities have access to clean drinking water. We have lifted all the drinking water advisories in Alberta, Quebec, British Columbia and the Atlantic Provinces. Those are the long-terms. We have built 60 new water and wastewater treatment plants and lagoons, with 39 on their way to completion. We have completed 393 water and wastewater infrastructure-related projects, of which 301 are under way.
Senator Richards: Thank you. That is encouraging, I’ll grant you.
My second question is a health-related question about COVID. I’m sure it has been asked of everyone, but I’m going to ask it again. Do you believe that if we had our own labs to find our own vaccine and do our own research, our situation would be better not only in Ontario but throughout the country at the moment, instead of relying on foreign expertise, foreign labs and transportation to get our vaccines to us?
Mr. Krumins: Thank you for your question.
In terms of capacity in industry for Canada, that question would be more appropriately directed to Industry Canada.
I would ask my colleague Kimberly Elmslie, who is here representing our science component as well as the vaccine program, who may be able to add to my answer.
Kimberly Elmslie, Vice-President, Immunization Program Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada: Thank you very much, senator, for a very important question.
Canada works in very close collaboration in the area of research and development with other countries. The science response to COVID-19 is an international one. We are fortunate to have world-class scientists in our country contributing to that and benefiting from the extramural research funding provided by the Government of Canada to enable them to do that.
When it comes to infrastructure support to the biomanufacturing capacity in this country, it’s true, as Mr. Krumins said, that our colleagues in the industry department are better equipped to deal with that, but your point is well taken. We need to ensure that infrastructure is available within our own shores, as well as using and leveraging capacity externally. Thank you.
Senator Richards: Thank you very much.
Senator Boehm: I would like to thank the witnesses for joining us today.
My first question is for Mr. Krumins, and it is with respect to the 16-week spread between the first and the second COVID-19 vaccine, which is a little bit controversial. Canada, I think, is the only country that has recommended a spread that is that great. Pharmaceutical companies and manufacturers have suggested a narrower time frame. Ours is similar to what the British have done successfully, but again not without some controversy.
We have seen some numbers already, and about 1.3% of those vaccinated after the two-week incubation period have exhibited COVID symptoms. My question is, if we keep seeing these deliveries of vaccines of all types increase and we move to greater vaccination programs in the provinces, is there not the possibility that this 16-week period could be reduced? If so, in the reprofiling that you have done and including the extra funds you have requested, is this all manageable within that envelope?
Mr. Krumins: Excellent question, senator, thank you.
In terms of money, yes, we have set aside provisions for vaccines to vaccinate every Canadian. That funding will certainly be sufficient to carry us out for the rest of the fiscal year.
With respect to the data supporting dosing intervals, I would like to turn to my colleague Kimberly Elmslie.
Ms. Elmslie: Thank you very much for the question, and again, a very important one.
From the point of view of the extended dosing interval that jurisdictions in the country have adopted, this was a very purposive decision taken in the context of managing vaccine supply. The public health benefit of reaching more people more quickly with a very effective first dose vaccine available to Canadians was seen as the best way to save lives and to ensure that we were doing the best we could to reduce serious illness and death from COVID-19. By all accounts, that strategy is working in Canada. We are seeing death rates decline. We have seen dramatic declines in severe illness and death in our older populations. We feel that that strategy [Technical difficulties] one for Canada. We continue, of course, to monitor international research. The strategy was up to four months in terms of the interval; it was not absolute at four months. So yes, as the supply continues to increase in Canada, that four-month period between doses of vaccine will decrease. Thank you.
Senator Boehm: Thank you very much.
I have another question for Indigenous Services Canada. Among Indigenous-owned businesses in Canada, only 36% are led by women. Of all Canadian small- and medium-sized businesses, only 16% are owned by women. We know that women-led businesses in Canada have been particularly hard-hit by the pandemic and that, in general, they are recovering more slowly than businesses owned by men. Of the 13-plus billion that Indigenous Services is requesting, how much is earmarked for supporting existing Indigenous women entrepreneurs and what is ISC doing to encourage more Indigenous women to start their own business?
While I’m at it, in the travel sector I have noticed the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada has made a request for $65.9 million, yet the amount is $2.4 million that is prescribed for Budget 2021. I think these two elements are linked because you do have women entrepreneurs in Indigenous tourism as well.
Mr. Thompson: Thank you very much for the question, senator.
Economic development has been a priority for us this year because of the impact of COVID-19. The impact on Indigenous entrepreneurs has been tremendous. The department has invested a significant amount of money in Indigenous entrepreneur firms. We know that women entrepreneur firms are growing more quickly than other firms in the country, so this is a subject of attention.
I will see if my colleague Ms. Mitchell would have additional information with regard to the efforts that we are putting forth right now in women entrepreneurship in the department.
Ms. Mitchell: We’ll have to come back on the specific amounts, but focusing on supporting Indigenous women as entrepreneurs has been a key priority. Going forward, we were certainly pleased with the additional investments outlined in Budget 2021. We look forward to being able to advance those further. Absolutely, it is an area that needs focus and support. We know there is a dynamism in that sector of the economy we want to see carrying us forward toward a strong recovery.
Senator Boehm: Are Indigenous women members of the women’s economic advisory council advising the Minister of Finance?
Ms. Mitchell: That is a question I will have to come back to you on.
Senator Duncan: Thank you to the witnesses who are appearing before us today.
My question is for Indigenous Services Canada. In December, Yukon provided to the public, in a very moving ceremony, the document, Changing the Story to Upholding Dignity and Justice: Yukon’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-spirit+ People Strategy. The strategy is signed on by Canada, the minister, the member of Parliament and myself as senator; all governments, First Nations, self-governing, non-self-governing; and all members from all stripes of the Yukon Legislative Assembly; the RCMP; and community organizations. This incredible strategy is a model for Canada.
There is $65 million-plus identified in the budget as contributions to improve the safety and security of Indigenous women, children and families. Is the Yukon model being used throughout the country, and could the officials provide either in writing or today a breakdown of how that $65 million is being spent?
Mr. Thompson: Thank you. May I ask the senator, for the $65 million, are you referring to Budget 2021 or the Main Estimates?
Senator Duncan: The Main Estimates.
Mr. Thompson: I will have to get back to you in writing with regard to the strategy, unless the ADM of strategic policy would have additional information on that item.
Ms. Mitchell: I am sorry, I don’t.
Mr. Thompson: So we would have to get back to you on the details of that. We don’t have the ADM responsible for that program. I don’t have all the details in front of me with regard to the breakdown of the $65 million and whether the model is based on the Yukon model.
Senator Duncan: Thank you very much. That was my key question.
I also identified in the estimates $32 million for contributions to First Nations for the management of contaminated sites. Can I have a breakdown of which contaminated sites and how that money is being spent as well, unless the officials have the information with them?
Mr. Thompson: Thank you for the question.
As you have noted in the Main Estimates, we have a reduction in the budget available for contaminated sites. It relates to the sunsetting of the investments from the previous budget. We should be in a position to provide you the details with regard to all the projects we have currently under way with regard to contaminated sites.
Senator Duncan: I usually monitor the website, but I haven’t noticed it being updated recently. If you could provide that information, I would appreciate it.
Mr. Thompson: Yes.
Senator Loffreda: Thank you to all our witnesses for being here.
As you know, this week is Mental Health Week. We know the pandemic has had significant negative impacts on the mental health of many Canadians. Many are overwhelmed and anxious about their health, their jobs and their ability to provide for their families and themselves. I note in your departmental plan that you will continue to develop and implement a pan-Canadian suicide prevention service. Obviously, this service, which is only scheduled to be launched in March 2023, would be very valuable, especially through a pandemic. I am getting emotional because this hits close to home for me. Can you share with our committee the progress being made on this very worthy initiative? Are you still expecting to go live in March 2023? What are the costs associated with the development and implementation of this program? What is the anticipated yearly cost of running it?
Mr. Krumins: Thank you very much, senator. We share your passion. I would like to turn to my colleague Candice St-Aubin to respond to your question.
Candice St-Aubin, Vice-President, Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada: Thank you senator. I was hoping this question would come because it is something, where I sit in the agency, of great interest and passion.
Yes, there is a date of 2023. “Pan-Canadian” means we will have to work with many stakeholders. We want to have lived experience voices there, which are the critical voices to have.
I also want to point to the work we have been doing to try to work with especially those impacted at times such as the pandemic: front-line workers, essential workers, teachers, family members, parents, children and youth. We invested in the Wellness Together portal through Health Canada in the Public Health Agency. We have had additional investments come through Budget 2021. Also in Budget 2021 I was excited to see investments in mental health and wellness, including the development of mental health standards, something which is critical to ensuring that there is an equitable and equal level of support going to all Canadians regardless of place, base, including vulnerable populations such as racialized communities and Indigenous people.
Senator Loffreda: Thank you for your response, and continue the great work on this, because it is extremely important.
Ms. St-Aubin: Meegwetch.
Senator Loffreda: I would like to turn our attention to travel restrictions and border closures. I know this is a multi-departmental responsibility shared among many departments, including your agency and the Canada Border Services Agency.
Just yesterday we learned that over 5,000 people tested positive for COVID after flying back to Canada since February when mandatory quarantine hotels were set up. The article I read mentioned that 1.5% of incoming travellers test positive on the day they land in Canada. These are alarming figures.
Your department’s plan says you will continue to strengthen border measures implemented in response to the pandemic. Can you explain to us what additional measures are being considered? Could you also speak to us about the compliance and enforcement of the hotel quarantine measures that are currently in existence? I know Canadians are responsible for paying the cost of their stay at the hotel isolation sites, but can you share with us the cost that is being absorbed by the government to implement this policy?
Mr. Krumins: Thank you for your question.
With respect to how much money we are spending on the border measures and what that is going toward, I can say that in these estimates, we are seeking approval for $236 million. Specifically, that will support strengthening border and travel health programs, for $194 million. We will also direct money to safe voluntary isolation spaces, for $50 million, as well as $11.7 million for the determination of the most effective risk assessment and testing strategies to help safely facilitate more domestic and international travel. This is money that is in our Main Estimates, and you will note that we also sought additional funding through a budget of $894 million.
With that on funding, I would like to turn it over to my colleague Brigitte Diogo to respond to the question in terms of actions.
Ms. Diogo: Thank you, Martin, and thank you, senator, for your question.
Indeed, we work with many other departments and stakeholders to enforce the border measures — Transport Canada, Canada Border Services Agency, Foreign Affairs, for example.
We continue to reiterate that this is really not the time to travel, and if you do travel and return to Canada, there are a number of measures you have to comply with, starting with the requirement to get pre-departure testing before flying to Canada. When you arrive here, there is a requirement that you get a test on arrival. We are paying attention to the positivity rate. All these measures are layers added to continue to mitigate the risk of importation.
We take many efforts to ensure compliance and enforcement. We do a number of things in that regard. We make live calls to travellers who are returning who are in quarantine. We do door knocks. Since last January, we have conducted more than 200,000 door knocks to check that travellers who are in quarantine are, indeed, where they are. In terms of additional measures from an enforcement perspective, we have increased the fine for non-compliance to the quarantine orders.
The government-authorized hotels have been another layer to ensure that when people arrive at the airport, that they do their test and wait at the hotel for the result of that testing. Again, we monitor the positivity rate and take additional measures, working closely with provinces and territories.
I would say that currently we continue to monitor the situation, not only in Canada but around the world. You saw recently the measure we took in terms of stopping direct flights coming into Canada from India and Pakistan. It’s an evolving situation, and we continue to take those measures.
Senator Richards: Thank you.
Senator Smith: My question is for the Public Health Agency of Canada. As many of us are aware, recent vaccine recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization have created some confusion on the safety and efficacy of some vaccines compared to others, even though they’ve all been approved by Health Canada. From a public health perspective, is there funding set aside for a communications plan that is clear and effective around vaccines? What sorts of problems is the agency facing as it tries to battle vaccine hesitancy in Canada?
Mr. Krumins: Excellent question, honourable senator.
I can say that these estimates do have funding set aside for our Immunization Partnership Fund. You’ll see that listed in the table for our grants and contributions. As well, we are also redirecting additional funding internally for information and disinformation in terms of communication to make sure that we combat vaccine hesitancy.
From a program perspective, I would like to turn to my colleague Kim Elmslie to add to my response.
Ms. Elmslie: Thank you, Martin, and thank you for the question, senator.
As you very aptly said, all vaccines authorized for use in Canada must meet the strict, rigorous standards for safety and efficacy required by Health Canada, as the country’s regulator on vaccines.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization provides their expert advice on how to use vaccines across the country to achieve the maximum public health benefit. Their advice is independent advice. It is based on their review of the scientific evidence. It is provided to provinces and territories for their use in designing their immunization programs according to their own specific context.
When it comes to communication and vaccine hesitancy, we are working very hard with our partners to provide as clear messages as possible to Canadians, but we are also working in a situation of evolving science. With science evolving, there necessarily comes the need to adjust rapidly and to take on board and assess rapidly what the science is telling us.
The work that we’re doing on vaccine hesitancy really does operate at many levels — at the national level, but also really importantly at the community level. We know very well that communities and community leaders and influencers are very well placed to work within their organizations and with their communities to provide reliable information, to indicate where questions still remain to be answered and to indicate how the science is evolving and what that means for their communities.
Senator Smith: Ma’am, I recognize the importance of partnership. I’m just trying to understand, how can we get consistency of messaging? Is there an opportunity to improve the system in terms of the delivery? Obviously it means not only working with the agency internally and your partners internally, but with the provinces. Is there a plan afoot so that we can avoid people continually saying they’re not going to take the AstraZeneca or they’re not going to take the Johnson & Johnson? This is causing a disruption, and this goes back to the question of mental illness and the pressures on the Canadian population. Do you have any ideas how we can fix it a bit better?
Ms. Elmslie: Yes, of course, thank you. Of course we can always communicate more effectively, and I want to assure you that we are working on that.
With the provinces and territories, as you raised, this is a really important part of our strategy because they are delivering messages to their residents every day on vaccination, and they, of course, are responsible for rolling out vaccine programs. Through our special advisory committee on COVID-19, a federal-provincial advisory committee of all chief medical officers of health across the country. We have meetings twice a week, sometimes three times a week, with that forum to develop common messages and to debate on the ways to ensure that Canadians living in Canada have access to the most reliable information. You’ll start to see more communications coming out, both in terms of national campaigns but also regional and local information that is being driven toward that reliable, common messaging.
Of course I can’t promise that we will clear up all of the confusion about COVID-19 vaccines, because, as I said, the science continues to evolve, and we will change our approaches and our messages with the best scientific evidence, but we have a structure in place to be able to maximize common messaging and consistent communication, senator.
Senator Smith: How would you grade the performance of the delivery of our communication to this point? If there is one thing you would improve on, what would it be?
Ms. Elmslie: Well, I would say that our communications are improving as we go. It’s hard to assign a grade to it because it evolves. One day we may hit the ball out of the park in terms of getting our message across, and other days it may not be so easy.
I would say in terms of the one thing that I would change, it would be an ability to faster get messaging out to the public in a quick and clear way, and that’s exactly what we’re working toward.
Senator Smith: Thank you very much.
[Translation]
Senator Dagenais: My first question is for Ms. Ferland.
Ms. Ferland, I want to address the drinking water issue raised by my colleague, Senator Richards. Despite the government’s promises, over 30 communities across the country still don’t have access to drinking water. From a political standpoint, I thought that the money had already been allocated.
How will this year’s budget be enough to resolve this situation? What happened to the money from previous years that was earmarked to provide drinking water to these communities? Was this done? Has the research been done? Is there any money left over from past budgets or has it all been spent?
Ms. Ferland: Thank you, Senator Dagenais, for your question. Indeed, it’s a complex issue.
As I said earlier, the department is focusing on working with First Nations on all issues related to drinking water and long-term boil-water advisories.
[English]
The department has been working on this and has been working with First Nations communities. We’ve lifted 106 long-term drinking water advisories. We’ve allocated the funding, and we can provide you with the analysis of year-over-year funding that we’ve provided and allocated to the long-term drinking water advisories. The health and well-being of First Nations communities remains a priority. We are working with First Nations. The allocations that we are receiving this year will also allow us to provide more operation and maintenance capacity-building for First Nations communities to manage and maintain their water sources.
[Translation]
Senator Dagenais: My next question is for Mr. Krumins.
Mr. Krumins, the health care communications and marketing budget has increased from $13 million to $40 million. We can say that this amounts to three times the 2020 Budget.
Can we have an explanation for this spending? Surely there must be a major project in progress to justify spending $27 million more than last year.
[English]
Mr. Krumins: Certainly we can take a look and respond in writing in terms of what the rationale for that is.
[Translation]
Senator Dagenais: On that note, Mr. Krumins, I’d like to understand why there must be a separate budget for medical research and vaccine development, which specifically falls under the “Border Measures” chapter. It’s a $105-million envelope.
Why isn’t this research consolidated in one budget line? I assume that the results would be consistent no matter where they’re found, right?
[English]
Mr. Krumins: Thank you for your question, senator.
I’m not aware of which line you’re looking at with respect to 105 for border measures. I agree. Any investments that we are making with respect to the borders are all done in tandem in support of one another and are complementary to each other. I would have to take a closer look.
It’s important to note that we are making investments in border and border measures, but that also includes investments in testing as well as investments in our Safe Voluntary Isolation Sites program, which had an investment of $100 million over two years and, most recently, in this fiscal year, approximately $50 million.
If I may, I think I understand your previous question. The increase of $29.7 million for dissemination of information and communication relates to what my colleague Kimberly Elmslie previously spoke about, which is the Immunization Partnership Fund.
[Translation]
Senator Dagenais: My last question is for Mr. Thompson.
The budget includes $450 million for the items that establish Jordan’s Principle, meaning the care of children who require it. I gather that there are still some legal challenges regarding certain items?
I want to know how the $450 million is being spent and what was done with the $404 million from last year.
Mr. Thompson: For Jordan’s Principle, the funding in the estimates is the current budget for the initiative. This amount is being used to reimburse eligible costs to families and children who need access to Jordan’s Principle. Mr. Conn can elaborate on the mechanisms of the program and the examples of the amounts eligible for reimbursement under Jordan’s Principle.
[English]
I’m not sure if Mr. Conn can hear us anymore. Are you still there?
Mr. Conn: Yes, I’m here. I didn’t quite hear the question.
Mr. Thompson: This question is related to Jordan’s Principle. Senator Dagenais was asking about the budget of $405 million we have for Jordan’s Principle. He would like additional information about the program, what the funds are used for and what they were used for last year.
Mr. Conn: Certainly. Thank you for the question.
We can come back to it, but I can give preliminary high-level information on what was spent on the Jordan’s Principle initiative. Essentially, we used it for health services, and social and educational supports, including mental health supports. We can have a breakdown of those actual costs last year and come back to the committee on that.
[Translation]
Senator Galvez: I have two questions. The first is for the Public Health Agency of Canada representatives.
[English]
Canada has secured the world’s largest number of potential COVID-19 vaccine doses per capita, but it is struggling to get its hands on some of those doses and to get jabs into people when compared to other G7 countries. Canada has bought multiple times, six to nine times, the supply it needs to cover its whole population. We have signed deals with seven vaccine suppliers, out of which only one is a Canadian vaccine, which is still in development. The cost per dose for vaccine suppliers is impossible to find, but in general, the media have reported that our prices have been higher by three to six times what the U.S. or Europe has paid. Moreover, around the world, public health officials are talking about a potential fourth wave and more variants to come.
My question is: How is Canada measuring up? What indicators are being used to measure how well we are doing with public health protection? Also, on the economic front, how are we measuring that whatever costs we are incurring are efficient, especially in comparison with the strategies of other countries in the G7? Thank you.
Mr. Krumins: Excellent, senator. Thank you for your question. I appreciate your remarks. This is a complicated answer.
In the final part, with respect to economic benefits, that’s a question for our colleagues at ESDC and possibly the Department of Finance.
With respect to serology and the measures of how we know our population is getting healthier, I would turn to my colleague Kim Elmslie to speak to that.
Ms. Elmslie: Thank you very much, Martin, and thank you, senator, for that thoughtful question. It is a complicated question. We will need to get back to you with a written response to do it justice.
However, I do want to say that Canada has set up a number of ways of measuring the impact of the COVID-19 vaccine in our population. Before we had vaccines, we were measuring baseline serology, looking at sero-prevalence. We have a task force that is set up to do that. That task force has now turned its attention to looking at the impact of the vaccine from the lens of safety and effectiveness. We are monitoring cases. We are monitoring hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and, of course, unfortunate deaths in the country. We have a series of indicators according to a data framework that is allowing us to monitor and keep track of the public health impact of COVID-19.
In the interests of time, what I would suggest to senators is that we come back to you with a written brief.
Senator Galvez: Please. Thank you.
My second question is for Indigenous Services Canada. In 2019, we read the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls report. In that report, there were sections and chapters talking about several issues, including resource-extraction projects and violence against Indigenous women in the sex industry, including sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Now, we know this has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. I would like to know what is being done on this front with the moneys that have been put aside for Indigenous Services.
Mr. Thompson: Thank you very much, senator, for the question.
There are a number of items in our Main Estimates that touch on what you’re referring to. There is multiple programming in terms of mental health, for instance, and in terms of supports. There was a question earlier with regard to the $65 million that is part of the Main Estimates. This is for the Family Violence Prevention Program. This is an example of the programming that is put into place to reduce family violence/prevention. There are other initiatives as well in place.
Senator Galvez: Again, can you provide me with, in written form, the indicators that evaluate how well these programs are doing? Because every day we have news about more women suffering with these types of issues. I would like to have indicators that allow us to know whether we are in the right way or whether we should improve.
Mr. Thompson: Yes, with pleasure.
Mr. Chair, just for further information to the committee, this is also a joint initiative with other government departments. Our colleagues at Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs are also playing a key role. We can provide you with information with regard to ISC’s involvement in the different programming, but it won’t provide you with a complete picture of all the interventions that are taking place. It would really be only what our department is involved in.
Senator Galvez: I understand. Thank you.
Senator M. Deacon: Hello to all, and thank you for being here.
This first question is to Indigenous Services Canada. When we had the Finance Minister here last week, we spoke about the rent subsidy. We heard that due to the need for a CRA number, many Indigenous businesses had trouble applying for this rent subsidy. When I asked the minister about this, she indicated that some programs were announced in the recent budgets that were meant to address these shortcomings. I note these estimates are requesting $13.5 billion — big item. Some of this program is earmarked for grants and other programs. Is any of it meant to help address some of the issues Indigenous-owned and Indigenous-operated businesses are encountering when it comes to accessing programs, like the rent relief program, or do these businesses need to wait for the budget and further supplementary estimates to pass to get access to these previously mentioned bridging items?
Mr. Thompson: Thank you for the question.
Last year, in the context of COVID, we knew that Indigenous businesses were tremendously impacted by the pandemic. There were a number of measures put in place, including the $306 million for interest-free loans and non-payable contributions for small- and medium-sized business enterprises. We also provided $117 million for community-owned microbusinesses. There was an investment of $60 million for tourism. A number of measures were put in place, but any item that I include in the budget is not part of our Main Estimates for this year. They would be accessed through future estimates, so I’m not in a position to provide you additional information on these measures at this point.
Senator M. Deacon: Thank you for that. I’ll carry on with a question to Public Health.
On page 169 of the estimates document under the listing of 2021-22 transfer payments, the first item listed is grants to individuals and organizations in support of public health infrastructure. The 2019-20 expenditures are listed at just under $200,000. There’s none listed for the 2021 time frame. Then we jump to just over $100 million in these Main Estimates. I’m wondering if you could elaborate on what these grants are, where they’re intended to go and how they are going to help us in the future.
Mr. Krumins: Certainly. Thank you for your question, honourable senator.
This is funding that will go for our serosurveillance programming. It is an investment of $100 million this fiscal year, and it builds on an allocation of $200 million in the previous year. It doesn’t show up in the previous year because it came midstream. It wasn’t something that was allocated at the start. So that $100 million variance is mainly attributable — actually, $94 million of it is for the serosurveillance program, which my colleague Kim Elmslie spoke about earlier.
Senator M. Deacon: Thank you.
When I saw in red the term “grants to individuals and groups,” and based on the kinds of things that are going around this country right now, I couldn’t help but think of the individuals behind this popular website, ever so present, called “Vaccine Hunters” who are supporting Canadians through a somewhat disjointed, chaotic and challenging rollout. That it’s fallen on a collection of tech-savvy Canadians to do this in their spare time shows that there may be a demand, a need and a gap being filled. I know administering the vaccines is primarily a provincial responsibility. I’m just wondering what the logistical hurdles are that prevent public health and the provinces in cooperating to provide a central communication directory for Canadians to discover when and where they might qualify and book an appointment for a vaccine.
Mr. Krumins: Certainly, honourable senator, I’ll ask my colleague Kim Elmslie to respond to that.
Ms. Elmslie: Yes, it’s a really important question.
I’ll start by saying that it’s great to see young entrepreneurs stepping forward and providing solutions as well to Canadians.
But in the context of the vaccine rollout, as you rightly said, senator, the responsibility for the organization and delivery of those programs lies with provincial and territorial jurisdictions. They have determined their vaccine strategies, their priority populations and their rollout parameters in the context of the situations they’re facing with COVID-19 in their own jurisdictions. That means they need to tailor the approaches that they’re taking to communicating eligibility to their residents in their own way. There really is not an efficient solution at the national level to joining up because of the problematique that presents itself in the context of vaccine rollout. Thank you very much.
The Chair: If you permit me, senators, I have a question for ISC.
You’re asking us to consider X number of votes in the Main Estimates. As we look, you’ve had questions of previous votes and previous Main Estimates and budgets. We’ve heard that more than once. We’ve heard that, yes, we have lifted boil-water orders. That said, two questions for clarity to help us understand. When we hear, as we’ve heard in the past, “We’ve lifted boil-water orders,” number one, are those boil-water orders recurrent in the same families, and number two, when we lift boil-water orders, does that mean that they are connected to potable running water?
Mr. Thompson: Thank you very much, Mr. Chair, for the question. I will ask Claudia Ferland to answer the question, please.
Ms. Ferland: Thank you very much, Senator Mockler, for your question.
Just to make sure I understand: When you’re asking about if they’re in the same family when we’re lifting the long-term boil advisories — I’m not sure I understand fully your question.
The Chair: Is it recurrent in the same families or same reserve? Because we do hear that a lot, and you’ve mentioned that we’ve raised them from Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada. Explain to me what you mean when you have lifted boil-water orders. What is the solution to raising the boil-water orders vis-à-vis the budgets you’re asking us? Are they in the same areas of Atlantic Canada or in the same areas of Quebec or Ontario or other provinces?
Ms. Ferland: With regard to the long-term boil advisories that we have lifted, currently there are none in Alberta, Quebec, British Columbia and the Atlantic provinces. Those have been lifted. As such, we are working on the other provinces. We are finalizing that with the work we are doing with First Nations communities.
I’m not sure I answered your question.
The Chair: I will say “no.”
However, I want to come back to boiling water orders. Mr. Thompson, maybe you can take it under advisement and come back to us in writing. As we go across the provinces, we have seen senators today ask for you to pinpoint exactly where those boil-water orders were and the solutions that were brought forward. When we said boiling order solutions, what do you mean by boiling order water? When you lift that process, what does that mean for the families that have had that problem?
Mr. Thompson: Thank you very much for the question.
With regard to boiling water, we are working all across the country with communities in order to lift those boiling water advisories. There are standards in place to determine if it is a short term or a short term that can become long term. It has to do with the maintenance of the infrastructure and the capacity of the technicians in communities. There is the importance of recruiting and maintaining the operators in their positions. It’s all those factors that play into our capacity to maintain safe drinking water in all of those communities. It’s evolving on an ongoing basis. It’s a moving target.
You have seen in the Fall Economic Statement a major investment in terms of maintaining safe water, as well as operations and maintenance, trying to close the gap between the formula we are discussing at the last meeting, between the 80% and the 20% that is paid by community versus the government.
It is all those efforts we are making to ensure we can maintain safe drinking water. Our website is very up-to-date. The information is provided. We have an interactive map. I believe we made a presentation to this committee a few years ago with that kind of information.
The Chair: Absolutely.
Mr. Thompson: We can track, on an ongoing basis, the success of the organization all across the country on the map.
But there can always be an incident in a community that will bring an advisory. The challenge is to make sure that when we have those, short term, that we do an intervention quickly so that we don’t get into a long-term boil-water advisory — that we can lift it. But there are many different elements to be taken into consideration. As you can imagine right now, the price of materials is also providing an additional pressure in the community during the pandemic — the capacity to deploy resources in those communities to do construction and maintenance. This is something that we will continue to pay attention to for the upcoming years.
The Chair: Thank you very much, Mr. Thompson.
The time for the panel is now up. I want to take the opportunity on behalf of the committee to thank the witnesses for providing succinct answers and for your promises to follow up with written answers to our clerk.
Senators, the next meeting will be Tuesday, May 11.
Before we conclude, I will ask Senator Duncan to ask a last question, because she did ask for a second round. Senator Duncan, ask your question, and I’ll ask the officials to respond in writing.
Senator Duncan: Thank you, chair and colleagues. Senator Pate asked that I submit this question.
Indigenous Services Canada’s departmental plan notes that as part of its work to advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals across all of its core responsibilities, the department is working to address the “root causes of poverty” in the Indigenous context. Are measures being taken to examine Call for Justice 4.5 of the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls for a guaranteed livable income program?
Thank you very much. That is a question from Senator Pate, but we all look forward to the written response. Thank you so much, Mr. Chair.
The Chair: Senators, we will meet on May 11 at 9:30 a.m. ET.
(The committee adjourned.)