Hon. Marty Klyne: Colleagues, let’s now turn to the details of Bill C-45. I begin with a quote from Harold Calla, of the First Nations Financial Management Board, at the House of Commons Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs. He gave a good summary of the act and the bill:

These amendments build on the achievements of Canada’s most successful piece of Indigenous-led legislation. A huge part of this success lies in the FMA’s optionality for first nations that choose, on an individual basis by band council resolution, to be scheduled to the act. There are no financial enticements to do so, just an individual nation’s desire to have good financial management that is recognized to meet international standards, to be able to borrow from the First Nations Finance Authority or to levy local revenues to fund first nations government services.

Mr. Calla continued:

With the passage of these amendments, nations will be able to choose expert advice and support for building and maintaining infrastructure. The optionality of this legislation also provides evidence of its success. Nearly 350 first nations have chosen, one by one, to be scheduled to the FMA. That is over 60% of the first nations that are part of the Indian Act.

Specifically, Bill C-45 makes the following five proposals:

The first is expanding and strengthening the mandates of the First Nations Tax Commission and the First Nations Financial Management Board, such as letting them take on economic research and data-collection functions to facilitate evidence-based planning and decision making, enhancing their ability to offer advice in support of self-determination and granting them the authority to conduct their annual meetings virtually.

The second proposal is updating the chairperson position of the First Nations Financial Management Board to a full-time position, with accompanying compensation, and ensuring strong and diverse Indigenous representation on the board.

The third is combining two existing debt reserve funds — one to protect borrowing with local revenues such as property taxes, and the second for borrowing with other revenues like oil and gas — into a single fund relating to own-source revenues to simplify and lower the cost of pooled borrowing by First Nations. The changes also clarify that only borrowing members with outstanding loans can be called upon to replenish the safeguard fund in circumstances that it had to be used, in the event that multiple First Nations may default on their loans.

Proposal number four is enhancing First Nations’ authority to make and enforce laws, including expressly through court orders, regarding revenue collection and the provision of services on‑reserve. These changes will allow nations to create local revenue laws beyond real property taxation and/or to regulate services in relation to, for example, the provision of water, sewer, drainage, waste management, animal control, recreation, transportation, telecommunications and energy.

The final proposal is creating a fourth institution under the act called the First Nations infrastructure institute as a centre of excellence to help participating First Nations and other interested Indigenous groups access the necessary tools and resources to develop and maintain strong, sustainable infrastructure.

This last proposal aims to help close the $30-billion infrastructure gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. As Allan Claxton, Development Board Chair for this forthcoming institute, told the House of Commons Committee:

The problems with the current first nation infrastructure systems are well known. Infrastructure on reserves takes too long to develop, costs to much to build and does not last long enough because it’s not built up to the proper standards. This contributes to a series of poor health, social and economic outcomes.

We are proposing to establish the First Nations Infrastructure Institute . . . to tackle these problems.

FNII has been designed to build on the successes of the FMA model. It will also be optional to all first nations.

Senators, this institute will also be available to nations with self-governing and modern treaty agreements. In addition, the infrastructure institute can support Métis and Inuit projects should that be of interest to their communities, as eligibility for these types of service offerings would not be limited to those scheduled to the act to date.

At the House of Commons Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee, Minister Miller noted that the development board for the First Nations infrastructure institute has already set up a successful pilot project with the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation in southern Ontario. This First Nation is developing a feasibility study, business case and procurement options for water and waste water assets. The hope is that this is only the beginning of this initiative’s path to adequate infrastructure for First Nations, supporting the quality of life and economic opportunities that many Canadians take for granted. That is what economic reconciliation is all about.

To conclude, I remind this chamber that this consensus and opt-in bill is the product of extensive consultations and determined First Nations leadership. The other place passed Bill C-45 unanimously and expeditiously. The Senate should do the same.

On a personal note, I believe that Canada, as a nation of nations, is building up a head of steam to advance economic reconciliation. As obstacles are removed and rights are recognized, Indigenous nations, organizations, business leaders, entrepreneurs and youth are creating their own paths to success.

In the Senate, we have a part to play. The Prosperity Action Group’s 2021 report is a Senate policy initiative towards inclusive and sustainable wealth creation across Canada. The report aims to set the conditions whereby a rising tide lifts all ships and no one is left behind, including other racialized or marginalized communities.

In addition, senators from across the country are celebrating the success stories of Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs in an ongoing speech series in this chamber. I urge colleagues to add your voices to our inquiry, lifting up and heralding Indigenous businesses in your region.

Therefore, colleagues, let’s build on all this momentum by moving quickly and with a united spirit on Bill C-45. Together, let’s pass this legislation into law before the summer, making a powerful statement and bringing practical change towards economic reconciliation. Thank you, hiy kitatamîhin.