Statement by the Honourable Bernard Valcourt Regarding the Federal Government’s Efforts to Support First Nation Communities Affected by Spring FloodingMay 07, 2013,OTTAWA, ONTARIO (May 7, 2013) – The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, issued the following statement today on the Government of Canada’s support for First Nations faced with spring flooding:
“First Nation communities in Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan are faced with flooding, or an elevated risk of flooding, this spring. To help protect the health, safety and property of community members our government continues to work closely with provincial emergency management bodies and First Nations.
Today, at my request, Parliamentary Secretary Greg Rickford is meeting in Kapuskasing with evacuees from Kashechewan First Nation in Northern Ontario. This community has been particularly affected by flooding and Mr. Rickford is there to ensure that their immediate health and safety needs are being met. I have also asked that he meet with Kapuskasing’s Mayor, Mr. Alan Spacek, to thank him for his efforts to help the First Nation community members affected by the flooding and to reaffirm our commitment to working together to help those in need at this time.
This week, I reached out to the leadership in each of the three Northern Ontario First Nations most seriously affected by flooding – Kasechewan, Fort Albany, and Attawapiskat – to reiterate our government’s commitment to working with them in response to this season’s flooding.
Over the past few months my department has provided expert advice, emergency preparations support, training and funding directly to First Nations at risk in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario to support flood preparedness measures.
In addition, the department has made important investments in permanent flood mitigation measures in a number of communities.
I continue to monitor the situation closely in each affected region and our government will continue to work with other levels of government and our First Nation partners to respond to these emergencies and, eventually, on the recovery effort once the immediate danger is over.”
For more information on AANDC’s role in First Nations emergency management, and recent investments in flood preparedness, please see AANDC Emergency Management.-
The Government of Canada Launches Call for Proposals to Increase Opportunities for Women in Non-Traditional RolesMay 02, 2013,Ottawa, On – On behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Member of Parliament for Madawaska-Restigouche, today announced a call for projects to increase opportunities for women in non‑traditional roles, as part of a Call for Proposals to create new economic opportunities for women in Canada.
“Through Economic Action Plan 2013, the Harper Government is committed to creating a strong economy for all Canadians, and women are key to Canada’s economic success,” said Minister Ambrose. “Through this call for proposals, we will empower more women to succeed and prosper in non-traditional roles.”
Economic Action Plan 2013 announced a number of measures to better connect Canadians with job opportunities. These measures will contribute to increased representation of women in all occupations, including skilled trades and other non-traditional occupations, many of which are experiencing skills shortages.
“I am pleased that our Government continues to demonstrate its support for the economic security and prosperity of women in Canada,” said the Honourable Bernard Valcourt. “I encourage all interested organizations in Madawaska-Restigouche to apply and help make a difference for women and girls in our community.”
The Harper Government is committed to supporting projects that yield concrete results for women and girls while strengthening families, communities and the country. The government’s support through Status of Women Canada for community-based projects has nearly doubled since 2007, supporting over 600 projects.
Backgrounder
Call for Proposals: Opening Doors: Economic Opportunities for Women
This Call for Proposals will help communities create new economic opportunities for women in three thematic areas:
- Advancing Women in Non-Traditional Occupations: Projects will engage key stakeholders – institutions, employers, sector and professional organizations and communities, etc. – in sector-specific efforts to advance women in non-traditional occupations.
- Increasing Economic Options for Women: Projects will address institutional barriers and other factors that limit local efforts to advance the economic security and prosperity of women in communities across Canada.
- Improving Prosperity for Immigrant Women: Projects will address institutional barriers and other factors that limit the capacity of community organizations to respond to immigrant women’s economic needs.
- Applications under this Call for Proposals will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on May 31, 2013.
- Eligible organizations must address a number of predetermined criteria in their responses.
- More information about this Call for Proposals is available at women.gc.ca.
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The Honourable Bernard Valcourt recognizes the efforts of the Committee on Domestic Violence Northwest during the National Victims of Crime Awareness Week 2013April 25, 2013,
Ottawa, ON - April 25, 2013 - The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, MP for Madawaska-Restigouche, recognizes the efforts of the Committee on Domestic Violence Northwest Inc. during National Victims of Crime Awareness Week 2013.
Through the Victims Fund, the Department of Justice of Canada has provided $ 10 000 to the Committee on Domestic Violence Northwest to organize activities for Victims Week 2013. Under the theme "We all have a role," the Committee will implement a two-day symposium that will aim to educate the community and service providers as to the impact of victimization, the needs of victims of crime, and services available. The reason for this project are to assist and equip the community to serve the needs of victims and to understand the impact of crime on all spheres of the economy, family life, mental health, etc.
"I am proud of the work accomplished by the Committee on Domestic Violence Northwest,” said the Honourable Bernard Valcourt. “Our government is working hard to assist crime victims and to provide them with the support and services they need. The awareness efforts by regional committees are essential to achieving these goals."
The Committee on Domestic Violence Northwest Inc. is a non-profit organization comprising of 18 members representing various organizations and services related to family violence. The Committee mandate includes: community awareness of domestic violence, improving access to resources, empower victims, promote the exchange and cooperation between the various agencies and community organizations.
“As Coordinator of the Committee on Domestic Violence Northwest, I am delighted with the enthusiasm generated by the Regional Forum," said Mélanie St-Onge. "I am particularly pleased with the support shown to this cause by our community and the many stakeholders here today.”
Backgrounder:GOVERNMENT OF CANADA LAUNCHES EIGHTH NATIONAL VICTIMS OF CRIME AWARENESS WEEK
OTTAWA, April 22, 2013 – Today, the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, launched the 2013 National Victims of Crime Awareness Week at a Federal Symposium, attended by victims, victim advocates, victim service organizations, and policy-makers.
“Our Government is committed to helping victims of crime and providing them with the support and services they need. The theme of this year’s Victims Week—We All Have a Role—is especially fitting, because it recognizes the needs of victims and the role each of us can play in helping those affected by crime,” said Minister Nicholson. “This week is an opportunity for all of us to learn more about the services available for victims, so that we can direct them towards the help they need.”
Victims Week is being observed across Canada from April 21st to 27th with the theme “We All Have a Role.” Through the Victims Fund, victim service organizations were provided with up to $10,000 in funding to host events during Victims Week. This year, more than 175 events and projects will be held across the country, with a federal government investment of more than $1.5 million.
“Our Government has worked hard to introduce reforms that give victims a more effective voice in the criminal justice system,” said Minister Nicholson. “Victims can count on us to continue working to ensure they receive the respect they so rightfully deserve.”
The National Victims of Crime Awareness Week is in keeping with the Government's Plan for Safe Streets and Communities, one of four priorities identified by the Prime Minister. This Plan focuses on tackling crime, victims' rights, and fair and efficient justice. In February, the Government announced its intention to move forward with a Victims’ Bill of Rights that would enshrine the rights of victims into legislation, as well as to address the important issue of restitution by facilitating victims’ ability to obtain restitution where they incur losses. The Government of Canada’s action on supporting victims of crime builds on actions that have already been taken to further advance the interests of victims of crime, including:- the establishment of the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime;
- the creation of the Federal Victims Strategy, with more than $90 million allocated since 2007 for programs and services that help give victims a more effective voice in the criminal justice system;
- the allocation of more than $10 million for new or enhanced Child Advocacy Centres since 2010 to address the needs of child and youth victims of crime.
- the introduction of legislation to double the victims' surcharge and to make it mandatory; and
- the elimination of the faint hope clause.
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Harper Government Taking Action to Improve the Rights of Families Living On ReserveApril 17, 2013,
Ottawa, Ontario (April 17, 2013) – The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, and the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister of State for the Status of Women, announced today that the Harper Government is taking further action to ensure that families living on reserve have the same rights and protections as people living off reserve when it comes to matrimonial property.
To ensure that Bill S-2, the Government's Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act, passes second reading in the House of Commons, the Government will force a vote, bringing it one step closer to being passed into law.
"Our Government is taking action to ensure that families living on reserve have similar rights and protections as other Canadians," said Minister Valcourt. "Families on reserve have been waiting for far too long for legislation like this and I trust the opposition will show their commitment to them by supporting Bill S-2 so that it can be swiftly passed into law."
"It is unacceptable that women living on reserve have for decades been deprived of the same rights and protections afforded Canadians living off reserve simply because of where they live," said the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister of State for the Status of Women. "This legislation is key to addressing violence against women and children living on reserve. It will allow courts emergency protection orders to remove a violent partner from the home."
Currently, provincial and territorial family law does not apply on reserves with respect to the family home and other matrimonial real property interests or rights. The proposed legislation is key to addressing violence against individuals living on reserve, especially Aboriginal women and their children. Bill S-2 will allow courts to apply First Nations' own matrimonial real property laws that respect their culture and traditions once those First Nation laws are enacted. If First Nations choose not to enact their own laws, the provisional federal rules, once in force, will allow courts to make orders for emergency protection and exclusive occupation of the family home.
The Bill will next be referred to the Standing Committee on the Status of Women, moving it one step closer to being passed into law. The proposed Act provides spouses, their children and families living on reserve with the same protections people living off reserve are afforded in the event of a relationship breaking down, or the death of a spouse or common-law partner. Once the Standing Committee on the Status of Women's review is complete, Bill S-2 will then be debated at report stage and third reading in the House of Commons.
The Harper Government remains focused on four priorities, outlined by the Prime Minister, that Canadians care most about: their families, the safety of our streets and communities, their pride in being a citizen of this country, and their personal financial security.
