Moved third reading of Bill C-45, An Act to amend the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, to make consequential amendments to other Acts, and to make a clarification relating to another Act.

He said: Honourable senators, on the unceded territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin people, I’m honoured to rise at third reading as sponsor of Bill C-45. As you will recall from our recent debate at second reading, this legislation amends the First Nations Fiscal Management Act to help support economic reconciliation and greater prosperity for First Nations. Having made extended remarks at second reading, in the timeless words of former Senator Baker, “I will be brief.”

To refresh the chamber, Bill C-45 contains important measures to enhance the statute’s opt-in fiscal frameworks for the 348 currently scheduled and participating First Nations, as well as for the First Nations who may choose to opt in and benefit from the legislation in the future.

These improvements will support greater economic self‑determination in relation to tax authorities, financial information, borrowing and infrastructure development and maintenance. Most importantly, this bill will create the First Nations infrastructure institute, a centre of excellence to support First Nations in achieving their aspirations for high-quality, sustainable infrastructure. These changes go hand in hand with rights recognition achieved via the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, or UNDRIP, in 2021, holding up economic, social and cultural rights.

Thank you to our critic Senator Martin, this chamber and the Indigenous Peoples Committee for moving quickly on this important bill, which was returned to us without amendment. This is a testament to the many years of creative thinking, hard work and advanced consultation that went into Bill C-45. Proponents of this legislation, including Senator Gold, have handed me a sponsor’s dream. In engaging on the details of Bill C-45, however, I understand that the key champions behind this legislation have only made these changes look easy through their vision, determination and attention to detail.

Congratulations again to Ernie Daniels, President and CEO of the First Nations Finance Authority; Harold Calla, Executive Chair of the First Nations Financial Management Board; Manny Jules, Chief Commissioner of the First Nations Tax Commission and Allan Claxton and Jason Calla at the First Nations infrastructure institute development board and their teams. As I said before, along with participating First Nations, this is their bill.

In addition, I would underscore the enthusiasm and dedication of their team. I was delighted to speak with several of their organization’s bright-eyed and valued members in our cafeteria following clause-by-clause proceedings. They are obviously proud to be in the Senate doing their part for economic reconciliation. That conversation put a smile on my face and wind in my sails, and, indeed, this dream is becoming reality.

Thank you and congratulations as well to Minister Miller and his team, including all the officials involved, for their leadership and efforts to advance Bill C-45, resulting in unanimous support in the other place.

These proposed changes to the First Nations Fiscal Management Act broadened and modernized the mandates of the three First Nations-led financial institutions established under the act. This will allow them to provide services that better respond to the growing needs of communities while also creating a fourth institution in relation to infrastructure.

The proposed amendments would assist the First Nations Tax Commission in supporting communities to create local revenue laws that go beyond real property taxation. That would strengthen the education and capacity supports available to communities as they build their economies. These proposed amendments would also expand the services and certification standards of the First Nations Financial Management Board to new client segments, including tribal councils and treaty and self‑governing groups, and ensure strong and diversified Indigenous representation on its board.

There are currently three First Nations in Saskatchewan that have achieved financial management systems, and I’m quite proud of them. In total, $174.2 million in loans have been accessed by First Nations in Saskatchewan. This is an important achievement for First Nations.

In terms of the benefits to communities of participation in the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, today I’d like to share the story of Mistawasis Nêhiyawak Nation and Chief Daryl Watson, who said:

Development and implementation of policies and procedures for day-to-day financial activities will lead to long-term sustainability for Mistawasis Nêhiyawak. It is paramount to develop structure with short-term and long-term strategic plans/work plans for good administrative governance for our Membership, for future generations, and for our business partners.

The community was first added to the First Nations Fiscal Management Act schedule in 2013. Four years later, with the help of the First Nations Tax Commission, it passed property taxation and assessment laws. In 2019, it set tax rates and passed an expenditure law for the first time, collecting more than $80,000 to help support First Nation infrastructure and local services from non-community member farmers who lease agricultural land.

Mistawasis Nêhiyawak takes a modified approach to taxing agricultural land. They determine the average taxes per acre in the adjacent municipality, and they charge taxpayers based on the acres leased.

We’ll pick that up tomorrow.