Simultaneous dialogue session

ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS

Fredericton, New Brunswick, July 23 to 25, 2019

First Nations Human Resources Development

Judy Whiteduck

Update on a New Labor Market Strategy for First Nations

Key Priorities

1. Capacity building and operational orientation
2. Research and development – workforce impact and inflation
3. First Nations competence – customer service in traditional territories and urban centers
4. Governance and new financial relationship

Capacity Building and Operational Orientation

• Capacity building plans
• Training related to systems, employment insurance, and case management
• Use and development of new labor market data
• Performance and client outcome measurement
• Recognition and celebration of achievements

Research and Development

• Employment participation and identifying skills gaps
• Cost analysis areas
• Impact of inflation and demographic pressure
• New financial transfers

First Nations Competence

• Based on First Nations citizenship
• Recognition of First Nations competence
• Implementation of services that reflect First Nations rights and provide benefits
• Treaty-based agreements

Governance and New Financial Relationship

• Government-to-government relations
• New fiscal agreements and financial transfers
• Delegation of authority and control
• Relations established in treaties

Funding Gap: Funding vs. Inflation or Population

• Between 2011 and 2018, inflation increased by 13.6% and the First Nations population increased by 31.2%. During this period, funding increased by 16.6%, which is well below the combined rate of inflation and population growth (44.8%).
• Between 2019 and 2022, inflation is projected to increase by 8% and the First Nations population by 15.6%. During this period, the planned funding increase is 8%, which is well below the combined rate of inflation and population growth (17.7%).
• Between 2020 and 2022, the average funding increase will be 0.8% per year, far below market projections for inflation (2% per year) and population growth (3.9% per year).
• This gap, which adds to the considerable funding shortfall accumulated between 1999 and 2011, will continue to grow every year as long as funding levels are not indexed to inflation and population growth. The funding gap is projected to reach over $125.2 million by 2022.

Persons with Disabilities and Accessibility

• Guidance is provided by the Chiefs’ Committee on Human Resources Development (CCHRD).
  • AFN Resolution no. 55/2016, Federal Accessibility Legislation for First Nations
  • AFN Resolution no. 98/2017, Distinct First Nations Accessibility Legislation
• Bill C‑81, the Accessible Canada Act, was passed in the House of Commons on May 29, 2019, and received Royal Assent on June 22, 2019.
• The AFN submitted a written communication regarding Bill C‑81 to the Parliament of Canada to present concerns regarding this bill and to highlight urgent needs for resources and capacity building.
• The AFN is currently developing a proposal to the government to determine the impacts of Bill C‑81 on First Nations governments and to develop distinct approaches for First Nations.
• The AFN has engaged several federal departments to discuss a framework on the continuum of care to identify the needs of persons with disabilities on reserves to meet resolution no. 55/2018, First Nations Persons with Disabilities Program on Reserves.
• In April 2019, the AFN submitted key interventions to the United Nations Special Rapporteur (UNSR) on the rights of persons with disabilities to support advocacy work.
• In collaboration with the work of the UNSR, the AFN continues to monitor Canada’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Social Innovation and Social Finance

• Guidance is provided by the Chiefs’ Committee on Human Resources Development (CCHRD). The Chiefs’ Committee on Economic Development (CCED) recently provided support for this work due to the strong political links between these files.
  • AFN Resolution no. 92/2018, Social Innovation / Social Finance Framework – Leaving No One Behind.
• The federal government’s Fall 2018 Economic Statement announced elements of a social innovation and social finance strategy.
• Canada committed to paying a maximum of $755 million over 10 years starting in the 2020‑2021 fiscal year.
• $50 million over two years for an Investment Readiness Program through grants and contributions.
• The AFN has just launched work on Social Innovation and Social Finance (SI‑SF).
• SI‑SF focuses on finding new solutions to social, economic, and environmental problems. The goal is to improve the quality of life for First Nations governments and economies in collaboration with partners and to test ideas and methods to measure effects.
• In March 2019, the AFN participated in an Indigenous engagement session led by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to discuss the design and implementation of the Investment Readiness Program (IRP) and identify service delivery partners.
• On June 12, 2019, the federal government announced that the National Aboriginal Capital Corporation and the National Association of Friendship Centres were joining the Investment Readiness Program as partners to facilitate service delivery.
• A national meeting on social innovation and social finance will take place in Vancouver, British Columbia, on September 5, 2019. The objective of the meeting is to draft a guidance document on social finance.
• The AFN presented information on the launch of ESDC’s new Investment Readiness Program to First Nations and the CCED.
• The AFN is continuing its advocacy efforts and developing recommendations, a guidance document, and a framework to inform First Nations governments and others about this program.
• The AFN continues to establish links with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Action 2030. The SDG objective, “Leaving no one behind,” has helped guide the AFN’s work on SI‑SF.

Federal Labor Program

• The Federal Labor Program (ESDC) is attempting to implement new laws and regulatory initiatives that have broad impacts, notably for First Nations.
• The mandate and activities of the Labor Program are:
  • Federal – developing and applying laws, regulations, and policies for labor issues under federal jurisdiction.
  • National – collaborating with provinces and territories in the labor field.
  • International – managing Canada’s international labor affairs (such as international labor conventions related to trade).
• Labor Program activities aimed at amending the Canada Labour Code include:
  • The Pay Equity Act, which will require employers to review their pay practices and ensure that women and men working in federally regulated workplaces receive equal pay for equal work;
  • The modernization of labor standards, including new requirements for breaks and rest periods, authorized absences, annual vacations, minimum hiring age, equal treatment for non-standard workers, individual and group termination notices, etc.;
  • Regulations on the prevention of violence and harassment, to avoid and resolve incidents of violence and harassment and to support victims.

With respect for the relationships between federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) governments and First Nations, FPT ministers are discussing the nationwide implementation of harmonized occupational health and safety measures, rules against workplace harassment and violence, modern federal labor standards, mental health at work, worker protection, and Indigenous engagement.