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Thank you so much for the introduction, Mr. Chair.

I'm glad to be here today to discuss and answer questions about the 2022-23 supplementary estimates (B) for northern affairs.

Joining me today is Paula Isaak, associate deputy minister of CIRNAC; Georgina Lloyd, assistant deputy minister of Northern Affairs; and Darlene Bess, chief finances results and delivery officer.

CIRNAC's final supplementary estimates for 2022-23 reflect a net increase of $6.3 billion, and of that, $130.8 million is for northern affairs.

My department continues to work on a number of priorities together with Indigenous, territorial and Northern partners. One of the most pressing, and a significant part of these supplementary estimates, is addressing food insecurity across the North and Arctic, because everyone deserves access to affordable and healthy food, no matter where they live.

Much has been said about nutrition north over the last few weeks. I’d like to be clear: no one government program will address food insecurity on its own, which is why we are taking a whole of government approach.

New funding for Northern Affairs includes $87.5 million for Northern Food Security, which was allocated through Budget 2021 and will allow the nutrition north Canada grant and contribution program to better support local food systems in communities across the North and Arctic.

This initiative also broadens the harvesters support grant with additional funding for the new community food programs fund to support food-sharing activities that include market, country and locally grown foods. Together, the harvesters support grant and community food programs fund mark a fundamental shift by empowering communities to determine their own food security priorities. These new measures were co-developed in full partnership and reflect the priorities of northerners.

With respect to climate change and cleaner energy, communities in the North and Arctic are seeing the effects of climate change at a much higher and drastic rate than in the rest of Canada. It’s impacting the traditional way of life and more.

These estimates also include $5.5 million to support flood mapping in First Nation communities in the North.

Many northern and Arctic communities have no choice but to rely on costly and polluting diesel to light and heat their homes. The estimates also include $6.2 million of re-profiled contribution funding for clean energy projects in the north, allowing for “by the north, for the north” solutions in the transition to clean energy and reducing reliance on diesel. The two streams consist of $2.2 million for community clean energy and $4 million to support planning and feasibility for hydroelectricity and grid interconnection projects in the north.

Just last month, I travelled to Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit to announce our government's support for the feasibility and planning of the Kivalliq hydro-fibre link project, where we invested $7 million, and the Iqaluit hydroelectric project, where we invested $4 million. These important projects aim to get Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit off diesel and onto cleaner, more reliable energy.

As part of our efforts to clean up our environment, there is also $1 million in new funding to begin collecting data to address plastic pollution in Northern environments.

There is also $28.5 million being brought forward from the previous year for the Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program to advance planned remediation activities in 2022‑23.

This reprofile will support the reduction of risk to human health and the environment, and will ensure that affected communities see the social and economic benefits of these clean ups.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to appear before you today and provide a summary of how these estimates will support Northern Affairs.

It's great to be here. Qujannamiik.

Since I became Minister of Northern Affairs, this is the issue that has come up most often in all my communications and consultations, both real and virtual. I know this is a priority for our government. We have several funding sources for housing. We have the national housing strategy, which is a $70-billion policy over 10 years—

In budget 2022, we established $4.4 billion over five years, including $800 million to be invested in—

—Inuit Nunangat alone. I was up in Gjoa Haven—

That's absolutely not true. I was in Gjoa Haven in July—

I don't have a precise number on how many were built, but I can tell you that there is construction going on as we speak. There is a lot of work to do because the deficits were huge. We are slowly chipping away at those deficits. Much more work needs to be done.

I can tell you that I was in Gjoa Haven—

First of all, perhaps you'd let me finish. Can I answer?

My time is limited as well—

Mr. Bob Zimmer: I'm asking a simple question about how many.

Hon. Dan Vandal: —and that's why I want to give you an answer.

I was in Gjoa Haven in late July of this year. Two fiveplexes in Gjoa Haven were near completion. They certainly were not cancelled. They will make 10 safe and affordable homes for families in the relatively small community of Gjoa Haven. That's a real project that's positive.

There is much more work to do. We completely acknowledge that. We are in conversations with the Premier or Nunavut on acceleration—

Yes, of course.

First of all, establishing an indefinite moratorium for new Arctic offshore oil and gas in federal waters was the right thing to do. We have been working on five-year science-based reviews that focus on marine and climate change science in the Arctic and offshore Arctic. They are continuing. They will inform the next steps of Arctic oil and gas development.

We are in constant communication with Inuit rights holders and all three territorial governments on the moratorium. We are working on an accord that will focus on shared priorities and green alternatives for—

As always, we are basing our future decisions on science.

First of all, we are totally aware of the realities of Canadians and specifically northerners. It's important to note, as your party seems to not realize this, that the price on pollution does not cost Canadians anything. They are rebated the cost of the price on pollution in every territory and every province—

We are completely aware of the affordability issues across our country. I'm happy to say that this is why we brought in $10-a-day day care. I'm happy to say that Nunavut was the very first territory or province, as of December 1, to reach the $10-a-day day care goal. That will save Nunavut families thousands of dollars over the next year. That's why we brought it in.

We brought in dental care for all Canadians. There are over 60,000 applications for help with dental care. That will help people all over the country.

Also, we indexed the Canada child benefit to inflation. That's putting literally thousands of dollars into the pockets of Nunavut families.

All three are initiatives that your party voted against.

Could I respond to that?