Indigenous and Northern Affairs

The committee met to study the 2026-27 supplementary estimates (A) for the Department of Indigenous Services, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, and the Department of Northern and Arctic Affairs. Appearing were Minister of Indigenous Services Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Rebecca Alty, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs Rebecca Chartrand, and officials Nelson Barbosa and Valerie Gideon.

Minister Gull-Masty highlighted $899 million in new funding for mental wellness, child and family services, and indigenous governance, including $1.55 billion for Jordan’s principle, $115 million for the Inuit child first initiative, and $55.6 million for emergency management. She committed to introducing first nations clean drinking water legislation before the end of spring, but declined to specify a date before the House rises, drawing criticism from MP Morin. She defended Bill S-2 by arguing that citizenship must be determined by first nations themselves, citing a letter from Treaty 6 chiefs opposing a one-parent rule, and disagreed with Senator McCallum’s characterization of the government’s position.

Nelson Barbosa explained that the department committed to tri-annual assessments of health facilities in response to the Auditor General’s report, addressing why the target for “good” health infrastructure is set to decline to 75% by 2027.

Minister Alty reported approving 76 additions to reserve since her appointment, totalling over 136,000 acres, and resolving 27 specific claims in the past fiscal year. She highlighted the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee, with a third meeting planned in Kuujjuaq, and noted the collaborative self-government fiscal policy is progressing, with phase one concluded. She faced questions about U.S. first nations lawsuits in B.C. and the K’ómoks Treaty, but maintained that the duty to consult is reviewed based on legal precedents and that the treaties cover lands already owned by the Crown or first nations.

Minister Chartrand outlined $30 million for nutrition north, $6 million for CanNor, and $3.5 million for Polar Knowledge Canada, emphasizing a shift from a food subsidy to a food economy through community engagement. She noted that the Giant Mine remediation is on time and on budget according to the oversight board, and that the Faro mine project is preparing water licence applications. She committed to discussing with colleagues the potential sale of 15 critical infrastructure assets in MP Gill’s riding, but said it is too early to determine outcomes.

Valerie Gideon stated that the federal government has not had active conversations with U.S. tribes regarding lawsuits in B.C., but has provided advice on how to approach potential impacts based on the Desautel decision.

A motion was moved by MP Morin to conclude the study of Bill S-2 and proceed to clause-by-clause by June 16, 2026, to expedite resolution of the Nicholas v. Attorney General case. The motion was introduced but no vote was recorded in the transcript.