Appearance before the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs: 2022-23 Supplementary Estimates (B), Crown-Indigenous Relations, December 8, 2022

Logistics

Date: December 8, 2022
Time: 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Location (hybrid): In-person (Room 415, Wellington Building, 197 Sparks Street) and virtual (zoom details TBD)
Subject: Briefing on CIRNAC's Supplementary Estimates (B), 2022-2023

Appearing

Context

Meeting proceedings

The meeting is scheduled for December 8, 2022, and will be a hybrid meeting.

Witnesses who are appearing virtually will be asked to access the meeting 30 minutes prior to its start to conduct sound/video/connectivity checks. The Zoom link will be sent directly from the House of Commons to the witnesses.

The Chair will call the meeting to order and provide instructions for the meeting proceedings. He will then introduce the witnesses and invite the Ministers to deliver opening remarks. This will be followed by a Q&A period (details below).

It is recommended that all speakers speak slowly and at an appropriate volume to ensure they are heard by the interpreters. All witnesses are asked to mute their microphones unless they are speaking.

While simultaneous translation will be available, witnesses are asked to respond to questions in either English or French, but to limit switching back and forth between languages as this often creates technology/interpretation challenges. It is recommended that the speeches are made in one official language.

Following the opening remarks, there will be rounds of questions from Committee members (as listed below).

Committee members will pose their questions in the following order:

• First round (6 minutes for each Party)
  • Conservative Party of Canada
  • Liberal Party of Canada
  • Bloc Québécois
  • New Democratic Party of Canada
• Second round
  • Conservative Party of Canada (5 minutes)
  • Liberal Party of Canada (5 minutes)
  • Bloc Québécois (2.5 minutes)
  • New Democratic Party of Canada (2.5 minutes)
  • Conservative Party of Canada (5 minutes)
  • Liberal Party of Canada (5 minutes)

The meeting can be watched via ParlvVU, however there may be an up to 70-second delay with the field. A real time audio line will be shared if one is provided for this meeting.

Other information for appearing in-person

• Witnesses should arrive early so they may go through security, especially those without a Hill pass
• There is a maximum of 4 witnesses at the table and 8 in the public gallery in total.

Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object

This table shows the forecast of total expenditures by Standard Object, which includes the types of goods or services to be acquired, or the transfer payments to be made and the funds to be credited to the vote.

Definitions of standard objects available at: Object codes for 2022 to 2023

Horizontal Items

The items listed in this table are horizontal initiatives and other jointly funded items. Both types of horizontal items generally involve two or more organizations with a formal funding agreement (e.g. Memorandum to Cabinet or Treasury Board submission). Through horizontal initiatives, the organizations work in partnership toward the achievement of shared outcomes. In jointly funded items, organizations receive incremental funding, and each independently contributes to the realization of the stated objective(s).

If pressed on funding for Out-of-Court-Settlements

• Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $2,906.1 million of new funding and a reprofile of $45 million for four out-of-court settlements.
• This funding will advance Canada's overall commitment to reconciliation by paving the way for a more respectful and constructive relationship with Indigenous people.

If pressed on funding for the replenishment of the Specific Claims Settlement Fund

• Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $677.6 million of new funding to replenish the Specific Claims Settlement Fund for the current fiscal year, and a reprofile of $297 million to ensure that funds are available for the timely payment of negotiated settlements and Specific Claims Tribunal awards until the end of the 2025-26 fiscal year.
• With the Specific Claims Settlement Fund replenished, the specific claims process remains a viable alternative dispute resolution option for addressing First Nations' historic grievances in respect of historic treaties and the management of lands and other assets.
• This process is supportive of rebuilding relationships based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership.

If pressed on funding for the settlement of the Blueberry River, Doig River, Halfway River and West Moberly First Nations' Treaty 8 Land Entitlement specific claims

• Supplementary Estimates (B) also provides [Redacted] of funding from the fiscal framework to settle the Blueberry River, Doig River, Halfway River and West Moberly First Nations' Treaty 8 Land Entitlement specific claims.
• Settlement of these claims will compensate the First Nations for the losses suffered as a result of not receiving their full treaty land entitlement and will enable them to invest in their communities and economic development plans.

If pressed on funding for Childhood Claims, abuse compensation and administration costs for the Federal Indian Day Schools and Sixties Scoop Settlement Agreements

• Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $673 million of new funding and a reprofile of $13.8 million to address the pressures related to the ongoing management of Indigenous Childhood Claims Litigation.
• It supports the ongoing compensation under the Federal Indian Day Schools Settlement Agreement and related administration costs for both the Federal Indian Day Schools and Sixties Scoop Settlement Agreements.
• CIRNAC has a responsibility to ensure that the settlements are implemented in accordance with the Court's direction.

If pressed on funding for Self-Governing and Modern Treaty First Nation, Inuit, and Métis housing (Budget 2022)

• Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $458.4 million of new funding to improve and expand Indigenous housing and infrastructure in Canada for Self-Governing and Modern Treaty First Nations, Inuit, and Métis.
• This initiative extends and enhances distinctions-based housing strategy work underway from previous Budget 2017 and 2018 investments, such as the Métis Nation Housing Strategy and Inuit Nunangat Housing Strategy.
• This funding will help address the critical housing needs of Self-Governing and Modern Treaty First Nation partners, Inuit throughout Inuit Nunangat, and Métis communities.
• This funding will support work to close the infrastructure and housing gap in Indigenous communities by 2030.

If pressed on funding to implement the Federal framework to address the legacy of residential schools (Budget 2022) (horizontal item)

• Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $117.8 million of new funding to support the implementation of the Federal framework to address the legacy of residential schools.
• This funding will support key initiatives addressing the history and destructive legacy of the residential school system, including: ongoing community-led efforts to locate, document and commemorate missing children and burial sites associated with former residential schools; the identification and disclosure of residential schools-related records; and, contributing to the construction of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation's new permanent home.

If pressed on reprofiled funding for the settlement of various claims

• Supplementary Estimates (B) includes reprofiles of $112.5 million to continue the implementation of the Sixties Scoop Settlement Agreement, the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement and of the partial settlement of the Gottfriedson Litigation.
• These settlement agreements represent one step towards resolving wrongs from the past, to advance reconciliation.

If pressed on funding to Support the Lifecycle Infrastructure Approach for Existing Self-Government Agreement Holders

• Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $39.8 million of new funding to implement the lifecycle model for infrastructure within existing Indigenous Self-Government Arrangements and to update asset lists within arrangements already following this model.
• This will ensure that Self-Governing Indigenous Governments are adequately funded for maintaining and replacing an agreed-upon suite of existing infrastructure assets.
• It will provide incremental support to ensure infrastructure gaps do not grow while Canada and Self-Governing Indigenous Governments continue work on the co-development of an expenditure need funding methodology through the Collaborative Fiscal Policy Development Process.

If pressed on funding to Implement Modern Treaties

• Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $39.7 million of new funding to establish renewed relationships in support of self-determination and to support Indigenous Modern Treaty organizations in implementing their Modern Treaty-related responsibilities and achieve their treaties' visions for self-determination.
• The incremental funding would enable the implementation of a new institutional capacity policy and support lands and resource management activities.
• The proposed funding would also help address Canada's Modern Treaty-related obligations regarding land use planning activities and establish board forums to help strengthen governance in the Yukon and Northwest territories.

If pressed on funding for Comprehensive Claims and Self-Government Agreements

• Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $25.5 million of new funding for Comprehensive Land Claims and Self-Government Agreements.
• This funding represents the yearly inflation and population adjustments to grants and contributions for Comprehensive Land Claims and Self-Government Agreements, to allow the Department to continue to meet its financial obligations under those agreements.

If pressed on funding for the continued implementation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action 74 to 76

• Supplementary Estimates (B) includes a reprofile of $20.3 million to continue to advance Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action 74-76 supporting the Residential Schools Missing Children – Community Support Program.
• This funding will support Indigenous partners and communities to develop and implement community-led initiatives seeking to locate, document and commemorate/memorialize burial sites associated with the 145 residential schools included in the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement and the Newfoundland and Labrador Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, and to honor the wishes of family members seeking to bring the remains of their children home.
• Specifically, the funding will support multi-year contribution funding agreements anticipated to be finalized in 2022-23.

If pressed on funding for the Cultural Spaces in Indigenous Communities Program and to Support Indigenous Women's and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Organizations

• Supplementary Estimates (B) includes reprofiles of $22.5 million to re-establish and revitalize Indigenous Cultural Spaces in response to the recommendations of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), as well as to provide funding to Women's and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Organizations.
• Those reprofiles will advance reconciliation with Indigenous groups and continue the renewal and advancement of the nation-to-nation relationship.
• This will contribute to the implementation of the National Action Plan and Federal Pathway by building the structures, tools and resources for Indigenous communities, organizations and individuals to minimize the impacts of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

If pressed on funding for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

• Supplementary Estimates (B) includes a reprofile of $13.2 million to support ongoing engagement on the development of an Action Plan as part of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
• This reprofile will ensure Indigenous partners participation in the engagement process implemented by Justice Canada on the creation of an Action Plan.

If pressed on funding for Negotiations with Treaty 8 First Nations to Modernize Past Annuities under the Numbered Treaties (horizontal item)

• Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $9.8 million of new funding to negotiate settlements with Treaty 8 First Nations for losses related to past annuities.
• This funding will provide ratified agreements-in-principle with up to 40 Treaty 8 First Nations compensating them for past annuity losses.

If pressed on funding to Support Indigenous Participation in the Papal Visit to Canada (horizontal item)

• Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $7.2 million of new funding to support activities related to the Papal visit to Canada, including the interpretation of the Pope's addresses into 12 Indigenous languages, translation in up to 31 Indigenous languages, as well as ensuring the broadcast of the event was available for all.

If pressed on funding for the Investments in Indigenous Youth for the Advancement of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 66

• Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $6.3 million of new funding for a two-year extension of the Indigenous youth pilot program advancing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 66 led by the Canadian Roots Exchange.
• This funding will further enhance consultations, capacity building and community among Indigenous youth, with increased performance data collection required to comprehensively inform a full implementation of this Call to Action.
• This will also complete the co-development of policy recommendations for the long-term implementation of Call to Action 66, including the establishment of a new Indigenous Youth Reconciliation Barometer.

If pressed on funding to Advance Reconciliation on Aboriginal Rights Issues and Fisheries with Atlantic and BC First Nations and the Labrador Innu

• Supplementary Estimates (B) includes a reprofile of $5.5 million for the purposes of engaging community members in advance of ratifying an Agreement to advance reconciliation on Aboriginal rights issues and Fisheries.
• Ratification processes will build awareness of Rights Reconciliation Agreements and legitimize the agreements amongst the Mi'kmaq and Maliseet First Nations and the Passamaquoddy.
• The funding will enable the ratification of 5 potential agreements within fiscal year 2022-23.
• Ratifying agreements will demonstrate Canada's commitment to reconciliation and to implementing historic Peace and Friendship Treaty right to fish and harvest for the pursuit of a "moderate livelihood".

If pressed on funding to advance the implementation and operationalization of Indigenous children and family servicesʼ laws (Budget 2022) (horizontal item)

• Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $1.8 million of new funding allowing the department to better respond to children and family services policy issues, in collaboration with Indigenous Services Canada, and support the implementation of the Act.
• This funding will recognize the inherent right of self-government for children and families as affirmed in the Act and support Indigenous governing bodies in assuming jurisdiction for their children and families, building more culturally appropriate models and reducing the number of removals of children from their families and communities.

If pressed on funding for Canada's Tobacco Strategy

• Supplementary Estimates (B) includes a reprofile of $1 million for the Canada's Tobacco Strategy.
• Canada's Tobacco Strategy supports health priorities established under the permanent bilateral mechanism process which includes the development and implementation of distinct Métis Nation approaches to reduce commercial tobacco use. It also aligns with and helps to advance shared health priority areas under the Canada-Métis Nation Accord.
• The funds will support the Métis National Council, its Governing Members and the Manitoba Métis Federation to support capacity development and engagement activities related to improve Métis health.

Supplementary Estimates (B) 2022-23

Supplementary Estimates present information to Parliament on Government of Canada spending requirements not sufficiently developed in time for inclusion in the Main Estimates. Supplementary Estimates (B) are the second estimates for 2022-23.

[Redacted]

• [Redacted]
• [Redacted]
• [Redacted]
• [Redacted]
• [Redacted]

The 2022-23 Supplementary Estimates (B) reflects a net increase of $6,348.9 million, which includes $5,705.1 million in new funding, $566.0 million of reprofiled funding, $52.3 million of transfers from other government departments, and $25.5 million for technical adjustments.

CIRNAC's total budgetary authorities for 2022-23 will be $13.7 billion.

Reprofiles

Reprofiles (CIR items only)

Reprofiles (NA items)

The Hon. Marc Garneau, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC INAN Chair

Biographical information

Born in Quebec City, Quebec, the Honourable Marc Garneau was first elected to the House of Commons in 2008, and re-elected in 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2021.

Mr. Garneau graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science in engineering physics and began his career in the Canadian Forces Maritime Command. In 1973 he received a PhD in electrical engineering from the Imperial College of Science and Technology in London, England.

From 1982 to 1983, he attended the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College in Toronto. While there, he was promoted to the rank of commander and was subsequently promoted to captain(N). Mr. Garneau retired from the Canadian Forces in 1989.

Mr. Garneau was also one of the first six Canadian Astronauts and he became the first Canadian in outer space in October 1984. In February 2001, he was appointed executive vice-president of the Canadian Space Agency and became its president in November 2001.

Mr. Garneau was Minister of Transport from 2015-2021 and Minister of Foreign Affairs January-October 2021. Mr. Garneau is currently not in Cabinet.

Jamie Schmale, Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON
Critic for Indigenous Services; Vice-Chair INAN

Biographical information

Born in Brampton, ON, Jamie Schmale was elected to the House of Commons for the first time in 2015, and re-elected in 2019 and 2021.

Prior to his election, Mr. Schmale served as the executive assistant and campaign manager for former Conservative MP Barry Devolin (Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock, Ontario). He graduated from the Radio Broadcasting program at Loyalist College in Ontario and started his career as a news anchor. He later became a news director for CHUM media.

Mr. Schmale was the critic for Crown-Indigenous Relations in the 43rd Parliament. In the 42nd Parliament, Mr. Schmale served as the opposition critic for Northern Economic Development, and Deputy Critic for Natural Resources. He was a member of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (2015-2017) and the Standing Committee on Natural Resources (2017-2019).

Currently, Mr. Schmale serves as the critic for Indigenous Services.

Marilène Gill, Manicouagan, QC Critic Indigenous and Northern Affairs; Vice-Chair INAN

Biographical information

Born in Sorel, QC, Marilène Gill was first elected to the House of Commons in 2015, and was re-elected in 2019 and 2021.

Prior to her election, Mrs. Gill was teaching at the college level and pursuing doctoral studies in literature. Her background also includes roles as a unionist, development officer, coordinator of the Table de concertation en condition feminine de la Côte-Nord. She is also involved in the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ). She has also acted as literary director for Éditions Trois-Pistoles, and has published personal works there for which she has received several awards and grants. Mrs. Gill was also political attaché to Michel Guimond, former member and chief whip of the Bloc Québécois.

Mrs. Gill is deputy whip, chair of the Young Families Caucus and critic for Indigenous and Northern Affairs for the Bloc Québécois.

Jenica Atwin, Fredericton, NB

Biographical information

Jenica Atwin grew up in Oromocto, NB. She was first elected to the House of Commons in 2019 as a Member of the Green Party before joining the Liberal Party in June 2021.

Mrs. Atwin completed a Master's in Education at the University of New Brunswick.

Prior to being elected, she was an education consultant and researcher at a First Nations Education Centre. In 2016, she co-organized a spin-off of We Day focused on introducing First Nations youth to one another and helping those who have recently moved off of reserves.

She is a new member of INAN. She previously served on the COVID-19 Pandemic Committee.

Jaime Battiste, Sydney—Victoria, NS Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

Biographical information

Born on the Eskasoni First Nation, NS, Jaime Battiste was elected to the House of Commons in 2019 and re-elected in 2021. He is the first Mi'kmaw Member of Parliament in Canada.

Mr. Battiste graduated from Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University in 2004. He has held positions as a Professor, Senior Advisor, Citizenship Coordinator, and as a Regional Chief for the Assembly of First Nations.

Mr. Battiste's volunteer work over the years involves athletics, youth advocacy, community events, and advocacy for the Mi'kmaq Nation. He is a member of the Aboriginal Sport Circle and a part owner of the Eskasoni Junior B Eagles.

Mr. Battiste served as a representative to the Assembly of First Nation's National Youth Council from 2001-2006. In 2005, the National Aboriginal Healing Organization named him as one of the "National Aboriginal Role Models in Canada." In 2006, as the Chair of the Assembly of First Nations Youth Council, he was one of the founding members of the Mi'kmaw Maliseet Atlantic Youth Council (MMAYC), an organization that represents and advocates for Mi'kmaw and Maliseet youth within the Atlantic region. In 2018, Mr. Battiste was recognized with the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers, which is a Canadian decoration to honour volunteers who have made significant and continual contributions to their community.

Mr. Battiste was named Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations in December 2021.

He has been a member of INAN since February 2020 and has previously been a member of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.

Michael V. Mcleod, Northwest Territories, NWT

Biographical information

Born in Fort Providence, NWT, Michael Mcleod was first elected to the House of Commons in 2015 and re-elected in 2019 and 2021.

Prior to entering federal politics, Mr. McLeod served Northwest Territories residents as a member of the Legislative Assembly from 1999-2011 and advised clients in the tourism industry as Tourism Development Officer for the Government of the Northwest Territories. He also previously served as mayor of Fort Providence, president of his Métis Local, and vice-president of Deh Cho Regional Council.

Mr. McLeod earned a diploma in Management Studies from Arctic College and began his career as a self-employed contractor. He has been a member of the Northwest Territories Tourism, NWT Public Utilities, and Mackenzie Valley Environment Impact Review Boards. The latter's mission, conducting fair and timely environmental assessments, remains a key interest.

Mr. McLeod was previously a member of INAN 2016-2017 and has served as a member of the Standing Committee on Finance and as Chair of the Arctic and Northern Caucus.

Marcus Powlowski, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON

Biographical information

Born in Fort William, ON, Marcus Powlowski was first elected to the House of Commons in 2019 and re-elected in 2021.

Prior to being elected, Mr. Powlowski served as a physician in the Emergency Room at Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre. In addition to being a medical doctor, he has two law degrees - LL.B, LL.M from the universities of Toronto and Georgetown, respectively. He also attended Harvard University and obtained a Masters of Public Health in Health Law and Policy.

Mr. Powlowski worked as a doctor for two years in northern First Nations communities, and for seven years practicing medicine in several developing countries in Africa and Oceania. For several years, he worked as a consultant in health legislation for the World Health Organization. He also volunteered on a medical project in Ethiopia.

Mr. Powlowski has been a member of INAN since February 2020 and has also sat on the COVID-19 Pandemic Committee and the Standing Committee on Health.

Patrick Weiler, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC

Biographical information

Born in West Vancouver, BC, Patrick Weiler was first elected to Parliament in 2019 and re-elected in 2021.

Prior to his election, Mr. Weiler was an advocate for safeguarding the environment as an environmental and natural resource management lawyer, representing First Nations, small businesses, municipalities, and non-profit organizations in Canada and internationally. Mr. Weiler has also worked in partnership with the United Nations and international development agencies, with a mission to improve the governance of natural resources and management of aquatic ecosystems.

Mr. Weiler completed a Bachelor of Arts at McGill University and received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Law.

Mr. Weiler served on the Standing Committee on Natural Resources, the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, and the bi-partisan Climate Caucus and Tourism Caucus.

Gary Vidal, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK Critic for Crown-Indigenous Relations

Biographical information

Gary was born and raised in Meadow Lake in the Desnethé – Missinippi – Churchill River district. He has lived, worked, played, volunteered, and served there his entire life. He graduated from Carpenter High School in 1983 and went on to study at the University of Saskatchewan and Briercrest Bible College. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA) and was a partner in the accounting firm Pliska Vidal & Co.

Gary was elected Mayor of the City of Meadow Lake in September of 2011 where he served his community until his resignation in March of 2019. He was elected ViceChair of the Saskatchewan City Mayors Caucus from 2016-2018. He was appointed to the SaskWater Board of Directors in 2008 where he served nearly a decade until 2017. During that time, he held various roles including Chair of the Government and Corporate Responsibility Committee, Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee and finally, Chair of the Board from 2015-2017.

Over the years, Gary has volunteered in a variety of leadership capacities in his local church as well as on the board of Bethel Gospel Camp, an interdenominational children's bible camp. Other volunteer activities include coaching and managing minor hockey, baseball, and soccer teams.

In 2012 he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Mr. Vidal previously served as the critic for Indigenous Services, and is currently the critic for Crown-Indigenous Relations. He has been a member of INAN since February 2020 and also sat on the Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic during the last Parliament (2019-2021).

Bob Zimmer, Prince George – Peace River – Northern Rockies, BC

Biographical information

Bob was born in Dawson Creek, BC and raised in Fort St. John, BC. Bob began his career working for his father's family carpentry business where he learned the values of honesty, integrity, and hard work. Through these fundamentals, Bob obtained his Red Seal Journeyman Carpentry Certification and went on to own his own construction business.

He received an undergraduate degree from Trinity Western University in human kinetics and history/political science. Bob also obtained a bachelor's of education degree from the University of British Columbia. He worked his way through University as the head coach for Langley's TWU varsity rugby team. After graduating from the University of British Columbia, Bob moved back to St. John where he taught for seven years and continued to work in construction building several homes.

Bob was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Prince George – Peace River in 2011 and then re-elected as the Member of Parliament for Prince George – Peace River – Northern Rockies in 2015 and again in 2019.

Bob serves as the Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus and was Shadow for Minister for Northern Affairs and Northern Economic Development Agency from November 2019 to September 2020.

Since coming into office, Bob has sat on several committees including the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Standing Committee for Natural Resources, Standing Committee for Veterans Affairs, and the Standing Committee for Procedure and House Affairs. He has also served as Chair of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy, and Ethics, Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, Critic for Asia-Pacific Gateway, Chair of the BC/Yukon Conservative Caucus, and Chair of the National Prayer Breakfast.

Bob is a long-time member of the Fort St. John Sunrise Rotary Club, volunteers for many local events and organizations, and well as volunteers and attends his local church with his wife Val and their four children Kristian, David, Tim, and Bobbie

Eric Melillo, Kenora, ON

Biographical information

Eric Melillo is the Member of Parliament for the riding of Kenora. He was elected in the 2019 and 2021 general elections.

Prior to entering politics, he worked as an Associate within a business consulting firm, and as a Policy Research Analyst for a non-partisan think tank. Eric also served as a political staffer while he completed his Bachelor of Arts in Economics at Lakehead University.

Since being elected to Parliament, Eric has been working to deliver positive changes to northwestern Ontario. By standing up to support critical infrastructure projects, meaningful supports for Indigenous communities, and creating better economic opportunities for all. Eric has been a strong representative for the people of the Kenora riding.

Eric was born and raised in Kenora, where he lives with his wife Danaka and their dog Oakley.

Lori Idlout, Nunavut, NV Critic – Northern Affairs; Critic – Indigenous Services; Critic – Crown-Indigenous Relations

Biographical information

Born in Igloolik, NU, Lori Idlout was first elected to the House of Commons in 2021.

Prior to her election Ms. Idlout practiced law in Iqaluit with her own firm, Qusugaq Law. She represented the group protesting against the Baffinland Iron Mine's expansion, as well as serving as the technical adviser for the Ikajutit Hunters and Trappers Organization during a public hearing on the issue. Between 2004 and 2011, Ms. Idlout served as the executive director of the Nunavut Embrace Life Council, a not-for-profit organization committed to suicide prevention. She had previously worked for Nunavut's Department of Health and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated as a policy analyst, and was the founder of Coalition of Nunavut DEAs as a director of the Iqaluit District Education Authority in order to advocate for educational services.

Ms. Idlout received a bachelor's degree in psychology from Lakehead University in 1997, and a doctorate in law from the University of Ottawa (2018).

She is a new member of INAN and the NDP critic for Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, and Indigenous Services.