Two months after issuing virulent criticism of Quebec, the First Nations and Inuit are now working to “co-construct” with Minister Lionel Carmant the mandate of the future commissioner for the well-being and rights of children.
This was indicated by the CAQ representative responsible for Social Services on Thursday during the study of his ministry’s budgetary appropriations. In February, the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (APNQL) and the Inuit organization Makivik took advantage of the study of Bill 37 “on the commissioner for the well-being and rights of children” to pronounce significant reservations about the future mandate of this institution.
“The First Nations have never ceded their rights or delegated to the government of Quebec the exercise of their rights. They have never consented to him adopting a non-independent institution to take charge of the well-being of their children in their place,” thundered the leader of the AFNQL, Ghislain Picard.
The analysis of Bill 37 has been frozen since several detailed study sessions were held by parliamentarians at the end of February. According to Minister Carmant, these delays can be explained in particular by the work that had to be done with the communities to respond to their criticism.
“We had heard their requests,” underlined Mr. Carmant in response to questions from PQ MP Joël Arseneau on Thursday. “So, we are in the process of modifying these points. Then to respect what I had told them in the House, we did this jointly. »
Without specifying what modifications would be made to the bill, the minister recalled that the AFNQL was asking for “significant changes in relation to the assistant commissioner” and “recognition” of Bill C-92 adopted by Ottawa to allow the creation of Directorates of indigenous youth protection (DYP).
“We are in the process of co-constructing for the future,” he said, adding that “as soon as we have the green light from the First Nations, we will get back to work.”
In February, Makivik and the AFNQL were particularly harsh with regard to the government’s intentions to create a position of “associate commissioner” for indigenous issues. This would have been subject to the national commissioner.
“Today we will allow ourselves to be very critical,” Ghislain Picard said at the time. ” In [leur] current form, the functions planned for […] this associated commissioner will limit himself to assisting and advising the commissioner to whom he reports. »
In 2021, the Laurent commission on children’s rights and youth protection proposed “that communities who so wish can avail themselves of an independent commissioner”.