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I am pleased to present the 2006–2007 Report on Plans and Priorities for Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada.
It is a great privilege for me to assume the responsibility for Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada, a department which is dedicated to resolving the legacy of the Indian Residential Schools system. Resolution is key to strengthening the Government's relationship with Aboriginal Canadians.
Since taking office, this Government has taken decisive action towards resolution and healing. On May 10, 2006, the Government announced the conclusion of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, reached with legal representatives of former students of Indian Residential Schools, legal representatives of the Churches involved in running those schools, the Assembly of First Nations, and other Aboriginal organizations. This historic Settlement Agreement is just and honourable, and is intended to foster reconciliation and the renewal of relationships between Aboriginal Canadians, their families and communities, the Government, the Churches involved in the running of Indian Residential Schools, and all Canadians.
The Settlement Agreement proposes a series of individual and collective measures which will provide tangible acknowledgement to former students of their Indian Residential School experience and give former students and their families and communities the opportunity to share their experiences with all Canadians, in order that we may all learn from the past and move forward together in a new spirit of partnership.
Before it can be implemented, the Settlement Agreement requires the approval of the Courts in nine Canadian jurisdictions. In anticipation of the implementation of the Settlement Agreement, the Government also launched an Advance Payment program to ensure that elderly former students receive acknowledgement as soon as possible.
This Report on Plans and Priorities describes the Department's agenda for the three-year planning period of 2006-07 to 2008-09 and sets out its commitment to bring closure to the legacy of Indian Residential Schools.
The Honourable Jim Prentice, P.C., M.P.
Management Representation Statement
I submit for tabling in Parliament, the 2006-2007 Report on Plans and Priorities for Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada.
This document has been prepared based on the reporting principles contained in the Treasury Board Secretariat Guide for the Preparation of Part III of the 2006-2007 Estimates: Reports on Plans and Priorities and Departmental Performance Reports:
It adheres to the specific reporting requirements outlined in the guide:
Suzanne Tining
Executive Director and Deputy Head
The Report on Plans and Prioritiesis the key document detailing activities for Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada for the fiscal year 2006-2007. The report provides an overview (Section I); describes the Department's plans to achieve its strategic outcome over the next three years (Section II); and, presents financial tables outlining planned spending and other relevant information (Section III).
The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians is responsible for reporting to Parliament on Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada.
Mandate
Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada is dedicated to resolving claims and addressing issues arising from the legacy of the Indian Residential Schools system. Within its mandate, the Department has undertaken to:
Strategic Outcome
The Department has one strategic outcome which is to advance reconciliation between former students of Indian Residential Schools and the Government of Canada.
Financial and Human Resources
2006-2007 ($ millions) |
2007-2008 |
2008-2009 |
208.6 |
-* |
-* |
2006-2007 (FTEs) |
2007-2008 |
2008-2009 |
300.0 |
-* |
-* |
*Note: Once court approved, the Government will provide adequate resources to fulfil its obligations under the Settlement Agreement. New funding and authorities will be sought for the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 fiscal years.
Planning Context
The Department plans and sets priorities that are directly linked to its mandate and achieving its strategic outcome. Departmental planning will necessitate the securing of resources for the implementation of the Settlement Agreement and to ensure continued delivery of the existing National Resolution Framework during the transition period. The Settlement Agreement includes a Common Experience Payment to be paid for all eligible former Indian Residential Schools students; an Independent Assessment Process forclaims of sexual or serious physical abuse;funding for the Aboriginal Healing Foundation to support healing; expansion of the Mental Health Support Program administered by Health Canada; commemoration initiatives; the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and contribution in cash and services by Church entities involved in the administration of Indian Residential Schoolstoward healinginitiatives.
The Department has begun to plan and prepare for the transition from the implementation of the existing National Resolution Framework to the implementation of the Settlement Agreement that is expected to begin in fiscal year 2007-2008. The Department is administering the Advance Payment program which is designed to provide elderly former students who have validated applications with a portion of their Common Experience Payment.
Operating Environment
The Department delivers its claims resolution program in an environment characterized by: the need to continue to implement the existing National Resolution Framework while preparing for the implementation of the new court-mandated Settlement Agreement; the continued need for horizontal cooperation within the federal government; and sharing of responsibilities for program delivery with Service Canada and Health Canada. The Settlement Agreement is a class action settlement and will bind all parties upon approval of the courts. There are Government of Canada representatives on the National Certification Committee which will oversee the administration of the class action proceedings, and the National Administration Committee which will oversee the implementation of the Settlement Agreement once it is approved. With respect to its responsibilities under the Settlement Agreement, the Government has accountabilities to the National Administration Committee and ultimately to the courts.
Horizontality
Key partners in the delivery of the current claims resolution program include the Department of Justice and Health Canada. The Department of Justice represents the Government of Canada through the litigation process where chosen by claimants and Health Canada delivers and funds the Mental Health Support Program. The implementation of the Settlement Agreement will broaden Departmental partnerships to include Service Canada which will be responsible for delivery of the Common Experience Payment and the administration of the Designated Amount Fund. As well, the Department along with Church entities and the Assembly of First Nations have begun the groundwork for the implementation of the Churchcommittees that will ensure that admissible programs and services are directed to healing and reconciliation for former Indian Residential Schools students and their families.
Under the Settlement Agreement, the Aboriginal Healing Foundationwill receive additional funding to support community-based healing initiatives that address the legacy of physical and sexual abuse in Indian Residential Schools including intergenerational impacts.
The key objective of the Settlement Agreement and Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada is the resolution of Indian Residential School claims and addressing the legacy of the Indian Residential Schools system. In terms of the Horizontal Aboriginal Framework developed by Treasury Board Secretariat, the implementation of the Settlement Agreement has clear linkages to four of the seven areas of priority set out in the Horizontal Aboriginal Framework (see below). The Horizontal Aboriginal Frameworkprovides a government-wide view of Aboriginal-specific programming and spending offered by the Government of Canada and arranges 360 federal programs and services under seven thematic headings: Health; Lifelong Learning; Housing; Safe and Sustainable Communities; Economic Opportunities; Lands and Resources; and Governance and Relationships. The Horizontal Aboriginal Frameworkalso displays strategic outcomes the Government is trying to achieve in each thematic area; program expenditures for each fiscal year; and Aboriginal target groups for each program.
Horizontal Aboriginal Framework Areas of Priority
|
Linkage to Settlement Agreement |
Health |
|
Life-long Learning |
|
Safe and Sustainable Communities |
|
Governance and Relationships |
|
Departmental Priorities in Support of the Strategic Outcome
Priority 1: |
Supporting court approval and ensuring successful implementation of the Settlement Agreement. |
Priority 2: |
Resolving claims efficiently and compassionately through the National Resolution Framework. |
Priority 3: |
Maintaining effective and collaborative partnerships with Aboriginal peoples and their communities. |
Type |
Estimated Planned Spending |
|||
2006-2007 |
2007-2008 |
2008-2009 |
||
Priority 1: |
New |
$126 M |
-* |
-* |
Priority 2: |
Ongoing |
$ 76.1 M |
-* |
-* |
Priority 3: |
Ongoing |
$6.5 M |
-* |
-* |
*Note: Once court approved, the Government will provide adequate resources to fulfil its obligations under the Settlement Agreement. New funding and authorities will be sought for the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 fiscal years.
Priority 1:Supporting court approval and ensuring successful implementation of the Settlement Agreement. |
The Settlement Agreement announced on May 10, 2006, between the Government of Canada and legal counsel for former Indian Residential Schools students, legal counsel for the Churches involved in the running of the schools, the Assembly of First Nations and other Aboriginal organizations is designed to achieve a fair and lasting resolution of the Indian Residential Schools legacy. As required by class action legislation, the Settlement Agreement has been submitted for approval by the courts in nine Canadian jurisdictions.
Overview of the Settlement Agreement:
The Advance Payment program was launched on May 10, 2006 for eligible former Indian Residential Schools students 65 years of age or older as of May 30, 2005 to ensure that elderly former students may receive a tangible acknowledgement of their experience as soon as possible in advance of the proposed Common Experience Payment.
Priority 2: Resolving claims efficiently and compassionately through the National Resolution Framework. |
To this end, the Department strives to achieve its mandate and strategic outcome through the National Resolution Framework which includes an Alternative Dispute Resolution process, a litigation strategy, and a Mental Health Support Program.
The Alternative Dispute Resolution process, the centrepiece of the National Resolution Framework is designed to be a fair, safe and timely out-of-court option for resolving claims. The litigation process provides an option for former
students who choose not to participate in Alternative Dispute Resolution. The Department will continue to resolve claims through the existing National Resolution Framework during the transition period. Although Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada has overall responsibility for the National Resolution Framework, program components of the Mental Health Support Program will continue to be delivered and funded by Health Canada.
Priority 3: Maintaining effective and collaborative partnerships with Aboriginal peoples and their communities. |
The Department continues to work with key stakeholders. Partnerships were strengthened throughout discussions and negotiations between the federal government and representatives of former Indian Residential Schools students, the Churches involved in the running of the schools, the Assembly of First Nations and other Aboriginal organizations.
The resulting Settlement Agreement speaks to the dedication and commitment of all stakeholders involved in negotiations and leads the way to stronger partnerships with Aboriginal peoples. The Department will continue to work with Aboriginal partners towards a successful implementation of the Settlement Agreement.