An Overview of the Interim Report of the Joint Advisory Committee on Fiscal Relations for Engagement Purposes
July 22, 2019
Presented by: Richard Nerysoo, N.W.T., and John G. Paul, Atlantic
Context of New Fiscal Relationship Activities
- Building on work accomplished over decades
- The AFN and ISC identified potential members
- The Minister of Indigenous Services Canada appointed members to ensure national representation and technical expertise
- The Committee intends to ensure that First Nations-led processes are based on its recommendations
The Committee’s Vision
Fiscal relations are a crucial element of nation-to-nation relations
Crown-First Nations relations must support and ensure:
- respect for inherent rights, treaty rights, title, and jurisdictions
- participation in economic growth
- sufficient, predictable, and sustainable funding for First Nations governments and institutions and to ensure the well-being of their nation, communities, and citizens
- The elimination of gaps in socio-economic outcomes
Fiscal Principles Proposed by the Committee
- Respect for Treaties
- Sustainability
- Autonomy
- Sufficiency
- Predictability
- Accountability
- Objectivity
- Efficiency
Statutory Transfers
- Opt-in option at the discretion of each First Nation
- Formulas developed jointly by First Nations and Canada
- The law guarantees the payment of funds without an annual vote by Parliament
- First Nations themselves determine their spending priorities
- The obligation to be accountable is held by First Nations citizens and their governments
Each First Nation Pursues Its Own Well-being Objectives
- Spiritual healing
- Increased community safety
- Improved public services
- Thriving businesses
- Healthy and affordable housing
- Protection of vulnerable citizens
- Wages
- More jobs
How Could Renewed Fiscal Relations Benefit Canada?
- Advancing reconciliation
- Economic partnerships create good jobs
- Less dependency and reduced costs for social services
- First Nations cultures, languages, and traditions become a source of pride for all Canadians
- If First Nations act as stewards of their lands and waters, their sustainability is ensured for generations to come
What First Nations Expect From Their Governments
- Knowledge and understanding of their decisions
- Full and timely accountability
- Performance reviews, evaluations, and audits
- Financial audits and financial information
- Support for First Nations institutions
What is needed to implement the new fiscal relationship?
- A First Nations statistical institution
- Investments in First Nations data sovereignty
- A First Nations fiscal policy institution
- A First Nations Auditor General
- National outcomes-based goals and reporting
- Immediate funding increases for First Nations governments
- Strong and competent First Nations-led institutions
- Statutory transfers, jointly determined with First Nations
- A commitment to non-abrogation and non-derogation of inherent rights, treaty rights, title, or jurisdictions of First Nations
Committee Members
- Chief Richard Sidney, Yukon
- Richard Nerysoo, Northwest Territories
- Chief David Jimmie, British Columbia
- Chief Lee Crowchild, Alberta
- Vice-Chief Heather Bear, Saskatchewan
- Chief Laurie Carr, Ontario
- Chief Connie Lazore, Quebec
- John G. Paul, Atlantic Region
- Harold G. Calla, technical expert
- Don Drummond, technical expert
- Terry Goodtrack, technical expert
- Bonnie Healy, technical expert
- Kevin Page, technical expert
Annex
The Committee’s vision, recommendations, and proposed path forward