1. First Nations Human Resource Development Concurrent Dialogue Session
Judy Whiteduck
June 20, 2019, Slide 1

2. Update on a new First Nations Labour Market Strategy
Key Priorities
Capacity development and operational guidance.
Research and development-impact of workforce population and inflation.
First Nation jurisdiction – service to clients in traditional territories and urban centres.
Governance and new fiscal relationship.
June 20, 2019, Slide 2

3. Capacity Development and Operational Guidance
Capacity enhancement plans.
Systems training, employment insurance, case management.
Using and developing new labour market information.
Measuring performance and outcomes to client success.
Recognize and celebrate successes.
Research and Development
Employment participation and skills gap deficits research.
Cost analysis service areas.
Impacts of inflation and population pressures.
New fiscal transfers.
June 20, 2019, Slide 3

4. First Nation Jurisdiction
Based on First Nation citizenry.
Recognize First Nation jurisdiction.
Implement services that reflect rights and benefits for First Nations.
Treaty-based agreements.
Governance and New Fiscal Relationship
Government to government relations.
New Fiscal arrangements/transfers.
Devolution of authority and control.
Treaty relationships.
June 20, 2019, Slide 4

5. The Funding Gap: Funding v. Inflation/Population
From 2011 to 2018, inflation increased 13.6% and the First Nation population increased 31.2%. During this time period funding increased 16.6%, well below the combined rate of inflation and population growth of 44.8%.
From 2019 to 2022, it is expected that the inflation rate will increase by an additional 8% and that the First Nation population will grow an additional 15.6%. During this time period, funding is scheduled to increase by 8%, well below the total inflation and population growth of 17.7%.
From 2020 to 2022, funding will increase on average by 0.8%/year, far below market projections of inflation of 2%/year and population growth of 3.9%/year.
This gap, building on the already substantial funding gap created from 1999 to 2011, will continue to grow year over year until funding levels are appropriately indexed to inflation and population growth. It is estimated that by 2022 the funding gap will grow to over $125.2M.
June 20, 2019, Slide 5

6. 44.8% Gap
June 20, 2019, Slide 6

7. Persons with Disabilities/Accessibility
Guidance is provided by the Chiefs Committee on Human Resources Development (CCHRD)
AFN Resolution 55/2016, First Nations Federal Accessibility Legislation
AFN Resolution 98/2017, Distinct First Nations Accessibility Legislation
Bill C-81, the Accessible Canada Act, was passed in the House of Commons on May 29, 2019, and received royal assent on June 22, 2019.
The AFN submitted a written brief on Bill C-81, to Canada’s parliament to raise concerns with this Bill, and to identify vital resources and capacity building.
The AFN is working on a proposal submission to government to determine the impacts of Bill C-81 for First Nations governments and to develop First Nations distinct approaches.
June 20, 2019, Slide 7

8. The AFN has garnered interest of several federal departments to discuss a continuum of (disability) care framework to determine the needs of on-reserve disabilities programming, to address AFN Resolution 55/2018, First Nations Disability Program on Reserves.
In April 2019, the AFN submitted key interventions to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNSR) to leverage AFN’s advocacy work.
In linkages with the work of the UNSR, the AFN continues to monitor Canada’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
June 20, 2019, Slide 8

9. Social Innovation and Social Finance
Guidance is provided by the Chiefs Committee on Human Resources Development (CCHRD), and the Chiefs Committee on Economic Development (CCED) recently added their support for this work given the close policy linkages.
AFN Resolution 92/2018, Social Innovation-Social Finance Framework - Leave No One Behind.
The 2018 federal Fall Economic Statement announced elements of a Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy.
Canada committed up to $755 million over 10 years, starting in
$50 million over 2 years for an Investment and Readiness Program via grants and contributions.
June 20, 2019, Slide 9

10. The AFN has newly initiated work on social innovation and social finance (SI/SF).
SI-SF is focused on developing new solutions to social, economic and environmental challenges. The aim is to improve the quality of life of First Nations governments / economies in collaboration with partners, testing ideas/methods to measure impacts.
In March 2019, the AFN contributed to an indigenous engagement session led by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to discuss design and implementation of the Investment Readiness Program (IRP), and to identify delivery partners.
On June 12, 2019, the federal government announced the Investment Readiness Program delivery partners to include the National Aboriginal Capital Corp and the National Association of Friendship Centres to facilitate the program distribution.
A Social Innovation and Social Finance National meeting will take place – September 5, 2019, in Vancouver, BC., which will serve to inform a social finance policy paper.
June 20, 2019, Slide 10

11. The AFN has shared information with the CCED First Nations on ESDC’s launch of the new Investment Readiness Program.
The AFN Continues on-going advocacy efforts, and the development of a policy paper and recommendations, and a framework to help to inform First Nations governments and others on this work, as mandated.
The AFN continues linkages to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda The SDGs objective to “leave no one behind” helped to inform AFN’s work on SI-SF.
June 20, 2019, Slide 11

12. Federal Labour Program
The Federal Labour Program (ESDC) has been working to implement new legislation and regulatory initiatives that have broad implications, potentially including for First Nations.
The mandate and activities of the Labour Program are:
Federal - developing and enforcing legislation, regulations and policies for labour matters in federal jurisdiction
National - working with the provinces and territories in labour matters
International - managing Canada’s international labour affairs (e.g. trade-related international labour agreements)
June 20, 2019, Slide 12

13. The Labour Program’s activities on amending several federal labour and employment laws include:
the Pay Equity Act, which will require employers to examine their compensation practices and ensure that women and men working in federally regulated workplaces receive equal pay for work of equal value;
Modernization of Labour Standards, including rules to clarify new requirements for breaks and rest periods, leaves of absence, annual vacations, minimum age of employment, equal treatment for employees in non-standard work, as well as individual and group notice of termination, etc; and
Harassment and Violence Prevention regulations, to prevent and respond to incidents of harassment and violence and to support those who have experienced it.
In respect to Federal/Provincial/Territorial (F/P/T) and First Nations/Indigenous relations, the F/P/T Ministers are discussing a nationwide implementation of harmonized occupational health and safety measures, workplace harassment and violence, modernized federal labour standards, mental health in the workplace, worker protections, and Indigenous engagement,
June 20, 2019, Slide 13

14. MEEGWETCH, THANK YOU, MERCI
June 20, 2019, Slide 14