QUESTION PERIOD — Indigenous and Northern Affairs
Indian Act--Elimination of Sex-Based Discrimination
February 4, 2020
Senator Gold, first allow me to congratulate you on your new role in the Senate.
The Senate helped strengthen the promise to extend registration to thousands more First Nations people through Bill S-3, a promise finally activated by the government on August 15, 2019. However, it is unclear if Indigenous Services Canada has or will allocate adequate financial and human resources to make the implementation of this promise real in time for those who are advanced in age or in ill health.
Some applicants have been told to expect a two-year wait. Making Bill S-3 into law was crucial but only a step towards ending sex-based discrimination in the Indian Act. With troubling reports from Manitoba, my question is as follows: Has the government added more resources to ensure outreach and then rapid registrations as promised in Bill S-3? In particular, how is Indigenous Services Canada getting information out to communities and descendants in urban centres with large numbers of Indigenous residents like Winnipeg, Manitoba?
Senator, thank you for your question. The Government of Canada views the passage of Bill S-3 as a step forward in eliminating sex-based discrimination that has existed all the way back to 1869.
I’m advised there have been consultations over the past year with Indigenous partners in terms of how to bring the provisions into force. I’m advised as well that the government has an implementation plan and is moving forward with that plan, which monitors registration and mobility rates and which will support communities and individuals throughout the process.
Let me add two things. First, I sincerely hope that the Minister of Indigenous Services will have an opportunity to appear before Senate Question Period to be able to answer questions from senators.
With respect to your specific questions, I simply do not have the information, and they’re important questions, so as Government Representative in the Senate I will make the inquiries of the ministers responsible. I will seek a detailed response because my understanding is that the implementation plan is not yet public. I’m not privy to it. I will make inquiries and I will ensure that the inquiries are tabled in written form in the chamber in a timely fashion.
