Indigenous Affairs

During question period on Indigenous affairs, Conservative members raised two issues. Billy Morin said the government promised in 2020 to make First Nations policing an essential service through new legislation, and asked when that bill would be introduced. Minister Gary Anandasangaree replied that the government is working with First Nations and Inuit police services and increasing funding and resources, and he asked the opposition to support the government’s lawful access bill (the Lawful Access Act, 2026), which would give police expanded tools to obtain electronic data during investigations. Bob Zimmer cited rising meal counts at a community food centre in Iqaluit and asked why the government considers the food security situation in Nunavut acceptable. Minister Rebecca Chartrand replied that food subsidies alone will not fix northern food insecurity, and said the government is working with 124 Nutrition North communities to develop local food solutions.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

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4 statements

Billy Morin, Edmonton Northwest

Conservative
“Six years ago, the Liberals promised a law to make First Nations policing an essential service. They have done nothing, and people are dying. When will they introduce this bill?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, in 2020, the Liberals told chiefs they would make first nations policing an essential service, with new legislation and expanded service and number of communities served. Six years later, nothing has been done, and we hear every week from first nations of how their people are dying because of these broken promises when it comes to safety. On what date will the Liberals table that policing bill and keep their promises for once?

Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety

Liberal

Linked statement

“We are giving First Nations and Inuit police more money to keep communities safe. If the opposition cares about public safety, they should stop blocking our bill that gives police access to data.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 24 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we have been working with first nations and Inuit police in communities across Canada to ensure the safety and security of all those in the communities. We are increasing the number of resources available for infrastructure, and we continue to ensure that funding is applied throughout the year. What I do want to say is that if the party opposite is serious about public safety, the number one issue that has been sought is lawful access, which is Bill C-22, which the party opposite is blocking and obstructing as we speak.

Bob Zimmer, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies

Conservative
“More people in Nunavut need food support now than a few years ago. Most people there do not have enough food. I want to know why the Prime Minister thinks things are going well after 11 years in power.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, that was another non-answer. Joseph Murdoch-Flowers, executive director of the Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre in Iqaluit, said this week that the centre has seen its daily meal count go from around 58,000 in 2022 to almost 91,000 last year. It has served 37,000 meals so far this year in a town of 7,500 people. The Liberals have been in power for 11 years, yet 58% of people in Nunavut live in food-insecure households. After 11 years, does the Prime Minister really think Nunavut has never had it so good?

Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

Liberal
“Discounts on food are not enough to fix hunger in the North. We are working with 124 northern communities to help them build their own local food economies.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 45 of 100

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  • Government answer in Question Period

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we know that a food subsidy alone will not solve the food insecurity issue. That is why we have been working to engage 124 of the nutrition north communities to ensure that we work with them to find the solutions for their communities. What we are working toward is moving from a food subsidy to a food economy. That means a whole-of-government approach. I continue looking forward to working with the member opposite to find solutions.

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