Rebecca Chartrand
Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, Manitoba · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, qujannamiik to my beautiful colleague for her tireless advocacy. There is so much to celebrate during National Indigenous History Month.”
“Mr. Speaker, I represent some of the poorest communities in this country, so when the member opposite tries to lecture me on affordability, I have to ask: Why does he vote against every single measure that is supporting Manitobans, including affordable child care, grocery rebates, automatic tax filing and cutting taxes at the pump?”
“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.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am so happy to be on this side of the House. Canadians voted for this new government because we have a plan and that plan is working.”
“Mr. Speaker, did the member vote for the measures that would support this person in his riding? Did he vote to support Red Seal training? Did he vote to support the reduction of taxes at the pump or the creation of a national school food program?”
“Mr. Speaker, Canadians voted in this new government to get results, and that is what we are doing. The member opposite voted against every measure we are taking to support Manitobans. We are investing in housing, infrastructure and aerospace. In fact, I just met with students from the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union, Local 254.”
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“Mr. Speaker, we are focused on securing our sovereignty in the north and the Arctic, with a $1-billion infrastructure fund for airports, seaports and all-season roads in the north and in northern Manitoba. We are focused on $2.3 billion for clean water in indigenous communities. The Conservatives are voting against having an Inuit Nunangat university to build skills and hopes for northern youth. We are focused on building, protecting and empowering Canadians. They need to get on board.”
“Mr. Speaker, northerners asked for transformative change, and our new government answered with generational plans to build, protect and empower. This means skills, homes and hope for northern youth. Our budget delivers year-round routes to ports across the Arctic corridor and the Churchill gateway to keep Canada strong and free. Through the Major Projects Office, projects will move faster with indigenous partnership. This means building with the north for the north.”
“Mr. Speaker, the world views Canada as an Arctic nation and is watching how we lead. As climate and geopolitical risks emerge, our government is taking action. We are building partnerships with nordic countries, like the ICE Pact, for which Polar Max icebreakers will be built right here in Canada and in Finland. We have new Arctic radar stations to boost our defence and enhance early earning systems. We just appointed an Arctic ambassador and will have consulates in Alaska and Greenland. These are some examples of our Arctic leadership, where we will build, protect and empower Canada's north.”
“Mr. Speaker, our new government is strengthening Arctic security by investing in people, infrastructure and partnerships that protect Canada's sovereignty and support resilient communities. We are working with indigenous governments and territorial partners to ensure Canada's presence in the north is secure, visible and enduring. That means investments in dual-use infrastructure like ports, airstrips, bridges and clean energy. That reinforces defence priorities and lasting benefits to communities in the north.”
“Mr. Speaker, through Build Canada Homes, the new government is working with Nunavut Housing Corporation to deliver hundreds of new homes, including factory-built units to build more homes faster. We are working with indigenous partners. The homes are safe, culturally appropriate and not overcrowded. We are supporting Nunavut's goal of 3,000 homes by 2030. We are also applying this indigenous-led, northern-ready approach across the north, delivering homes and strengthening communities, because reconciliation means delivering results together.”
“Mr. Speaker, no project will move forward without honouring section 35. As the Prime Minister has said, meaningful consultation and co-operation are at the heart of our new government approach to nation building. The indigenous advisory council brings first nations, Métis and Inuit, from day one, to strengthen treaty and constitutional duties, not replace them. With capacity funding and the double $10 billion indigenous loan guarantee, indigenous people will help shape and share in the projects. Following the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we reaffirm our commitment to a lasting, respectful partnership.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about our success stories on this side of the stage. Our new government has focused on empowering northern and Arctic communities with indigenous-led solutions that work in the north. For example, an Inuvialuit country food plant is distributing harvested musk ox, reindeer, fish and berries so families can count on country food year-round. Also, the harvesters support program has backed over 5,500 harvesters with freezers, fuel and gear, keeping local food flowing and shared. These stories will keep growing because we are—”
“Mr. Speaker, nutrition north is showing real progress, with results that are reaching more northerners every year. In its first year, more than 15,000 harvesters were supported, with hundreds of hunts and over 700 food-sharing initiatives, from Nain, Nunatsiavut, to Old Crow, Yukon, showing the program's reach across the north. In Nunavut, the price of flour in Rankin Inlet has dropped by more than 65%, and in Iglulik, a dozen eggs, which was once nearly $10, is now just five dollars. Today, 124 communities across the north are being directly supported through indigenous government initiatives—”
“Mr. Speaker, our new government is supporting indigenous-led transitions from diesel to dependable, clean power. In Yukon, Kluane First Nation's wind and battery project provides about half the community's power and saves over 300,000 litres of diesel a year. In Nunavut, the Inuit-led Sanikiluaq wind project will replace up to 70% of local diesel use. Project by project, we are delivering cleaner, more affordable power across the north.”
“Mr. Speaker, our new government is making life more affordable in the north through practical action that reaches families, strengthens communities and reflects northerners and what they have told us. We are supporting indigenous-led housing solutions and building more homes right across the three territories. In Inuit Nunangat, we are making sure that 14,500 families can afford essential food through the Canada child benefit. We are expanding access to traditional foods with the harvester support program and improving nutrition north so families can put real, local food on the table. Most important, we are listening. We are refining our approach with the guidance of indigenous leaders and building real partnerships that deliver results.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is public knowledge that nutrition north is undergoing an external review, and we also have an internal review under way. We are committed to building on the positive steps already taken, like the food harvesters program and the community kitchen program, to ensure that northern communities benefit fully from these types of initiatives.”
“Mr. Speaker, as a First Nations rights holder as well, I want to acknowledge the concerns raised by indigenous leaders across this country. Their voices matter. That is why we are investing in real consultation, with $40 million to support indigenous engagement, in addition to establishing an indigenous advisory council. This legislation would be an economic game-changer for indigenous people like never before.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge the concerns raised by indigenous leaders across the country. Their voices matter. That is why we are investing in real consultation, with $40 million to support indigenous engagement, in addition to establishing an indigenous advisory council. This legislation would be an economic game-changer for indigenous peoples.”
“Mr. Speaker, we are committed to ensuring that full retail-subsidy benefits reach northerners. To enhance accountability, we formed the nutrition north compliance and audit review committee with indigenous and regional representatives. We recognize that food is more than nutrition; it is also cultural identity and sovereignty. We are committed to ensuring that the subsidy goes directly to northerners.”
“Mr. Speaker, the member opposite's party continues to shift the blame of the wildfires onto individuals, ignoring the overwhelming scientific consensus that climate change is intensifying these disasters. By refusing to implement meaningful climate policies, are you not actively undermining efforts to prevent and manage wildfires? This is making it harder for the government to protect Canadians from worsening crises. Can you please respond?”
“Mr. Speaker, I beg to differ with what was just stated. I have actually spoken to Chief Larson from Pimicikamak myself, checking in to ensure his community members are receiving the support they rightfully deserve. We will continue to keep providing that same support to all community members and their leadership.”
“As soon as a state of emergency was called, one thing I did was reach out to Premier Kinew from Manitoba just to make sure our efforts were in sync and that we were listening to what was happening on the ground. I also reached out to a number of community people to make sure they were receiving supports in their communities, and I will continue to do that work until everybody is safe.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to talk a bit about the Churchill—Keewatinook Aski riding and the work we have to do to support people throughout it. This riding is three-quarters of Manitoba. It has 68 communities, 40 of which are first nations communities. There are also 20 remote isolated communities, meaning we can only get into these communities by winter road or by fly-in. The efforts being made have to take these considerations into account. When we think about the coordination that is happening across the province, across the country or even just for my riding, we have to work with all levels of government to do that. That is what we did.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is important to know that our indigenous caucus has been working around the clock with the rest of our colleagues here at the federal level, and we are doing that in partnership with the provincial government and local leadership. We know supports have already been provided to people on the ground, and those supports will continue. I will continue to work with Minister Gull-Masty on this to ensure that people on the ground receive the supports they are asking for.”
“To the people of Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, I want to say that I see them, I hear them and I will continue to stand with them every step of the way. Meegwetch .”
“The truth is that these fires are revealing our fault lines, but also our shared responsibility and our strength. They are teaching us that climate justice is indigenous and northern justice and that reconciliation must include environmental responsibility. This is about more than a response; it is about restoring balance between people, policy and the land itself. I reject the idea that anyone in the House is not doing enough. When people are losing homes, when the land is on fire and when families are displaced is not a moment for partisanship. It is a moment for personal responsibility and collective action, so let us walk this path together with urgency, with humility and with deep respect for those who came before us and those who are watching us right now.”
“I want to express my gratitude to the firefighters, emergency responders, nurses, doctors, volunteers, and the countless community members who are supporting one another with strength and solidarity. My colleagues, including Minister Olszewski and Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, have been working closely to mobilize federal resources, ensuring that supports are trauma-informed, culturally relevant and community-directed. (2245) We know we must not only respond; we must rebuild with intention. We know the people of Flin Flon, Mathias Colomb and Pimicikamak deserve more, and we are here for them. We deserve lasting infrastructure, fire-resistant housing, community-driven climate strategies, and economic opportunities that flow back to the communities, not away from them.”
“Indigenous and northern communities, which have done the least to cause this crisis, are bearing the brunt of its consequences. As an indigenous person with relationships throughout the north, with the communities that I serve, these are not statistics to me. These are the families that I adore, my friends and my story. I have heard the fear in people's voices, and I see many of the images being sent from communities that are being affected. I have felt the pressure of this moment and the strength of northerners. Manitobans, Canadians and this new government have been working together. Throughout this crisis, I have been heartened by the leadership I have witnessed: mayors, chiefs and councillors working together around the clock. These are my heroes, and these are the voices that are guiding our work.”
“Pukatawagan was a point of tension because we knew they had no road in or out and their rail line had burned. Their evacuation route was long, complex and stressful, but I am relieved and proud to report that we got everybody out. We worked together with the community, the province and the federal government to ensure safety and dignity throughout the entire process. This crisis is not just a challenge. It is also a mirror. It reflects the reality that climate change is not a future threat. It is happening right now. It is a present emergency. The north is warming at three times the global average. The land is burning, and the ice is melting. Our ways of life, our food, our systems, our cultural practices and our health are all being tested. Make no mistake, the burden is not shared equally.”
“I have also worked closely with my federal colleagues, including the Minister of National Defence , David McGuinty, and the Minister of Emergency Management , Eleanor Olszewski. Every single day, I have made calls, checking in directly with communities and their leadership. I have provided regular updates, reassurance and coordination support. Together, we focused on ensuring that evacuation logistics are clear, timely and culturally responsive. Above all, our priority has been to make sure that every person is safe, accounted for and not left behind. Flin Flon, Bakers Narrows, Bissett, Pimicikamak Cree Nation, Sherridon, Tataskweyak Cree Nation, Mathias Colomb and now York Landing, we are thinking about all of these communities, their leadership and the people there.”
“Ask the local leadership who have received daily updates through direct lines of communication and who have sent “thank you” messages for the support they are receiving from our government. Our response was rooted in safety first and respect for life. Our response was rooted in the belief that indigenous and northern communities deserve the same level of urgency and care as anyone else in this country. That is the bar we have set, and that is the bar we will continue to meet. Since May 28, I have been in constant communication with provincial counterparts, including Premier Wab Kinew and Minister Naylor, as well as local leadership, such as Mayor George Fontaine of Flin Flon and councillors from Mathias Colomb Cree Nation.”
“Mr. Speaker, tansi , aniin , bonjour , ullukkut . I rise today from a place of urgency and responsibility, and I begin by acknowledging that we are gathered on the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people. I honour their stewardship and offer my respect to their ancestors and knowledge-keepers, past and present. I speak today not only as a minister in the House, but as the member of Parliament for Churchill—Keewatinook Aski , a riding that has been deeply affected by the wildfires raging across our north. Thousands have already been evacuated, and more are on alert. I invite those questioning our government's response to actually speak to the people on the ground. Ask the elders who have been airlifted to safety.”
“Mr. Speaker, my heart is with everyone across the country who is affected by the devastating wildfires, especially the people of my riding, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski. The fear and uncertainty are overwhelming, but the people are not alone. I remain in constant contact with my federal colleagues and provincial, local and indigenous leaders, including Councillor Debbie Dumas, to ensure that every person gets the support that they need. The federal government and the Canadian Armed Forces are fully mobilized, people are being evacuated, and we stand united in this crisis.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a deep sense of responsibility, gratitude and humility. I stand here as a proud Anishinabe, Ininew and Métis woman representing the Churchill—Keewatinook Aski riding. Ensuring a Canada that is strong and free in defending the Arctic and the people living there is a top priority for the new government. We will strengthen the presence of the Canadian Armed Forces, detect and deter early warnings with radar coverage, and invest in the necessary housing and infrastructure. We will do this all by working with indigenous and northern partners every step of the way.”