Committee member biographies: Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs—June 19, 2020

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Members from the Liberal Party of Canada

Gary Anandasangaree

Constituency: Scarborough—Rouge Park

Province/Territory: Ontario

Preferred Language: English

Current role: Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

Biography

First elected to Parliament in 2015
He has served as Chair of the Canadian Tamil Youth Development Centre, president of the Canadian Tamils’ Chamber of Commerce, and counsel to the Canadian Tamil Congress
He is a lawyer and was called to the bar in 2006, and later managed his own firm in Scarborough

Role

Member of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs: June 19, 2020
Member of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs: June 19, 2020

Considerations

The member has been active on social media sharing Government updates and news from his riding.

Subject of interventions in the House

The member has raised concerns regarding the conditions in long-term care homes raised by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

Jaime Battiste

Constituency: Sydney-Victoria

Province/Territory: Nova Scotia

Preferred Language: English

Current role: Member

Biography

First elected to Parliament in 2019
He worked as a professor, senior advisor, citizenship coordinator and Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief

Role

Member of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans
Member of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs: June 19, 2020

Considerations

Mr. Battiste has been active on social media sharing updates on Government measures.

Interest in Public Services and Procurement Canada’s portfolio at the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs: June 19, 2020

The member has inquired for more information on the 5% procurement from Indigenous businesses and its implications on Indigenous communities. He further asked about current procurement on reserves.

Bob Bratina

Constituency: Hamilton East

Province/Territory: Ontario

Preferred Language: English

Current role: Chair

Biography

First elected to Parliament in 2015
He worked in radio and broadcasting for local morning shows and sporting events
He was elected as member of the Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Hamilton Centre in 2004 and 2006
He was elected as Mayor of Hamilton in 2010

Role

Member of the Liaison Committee
Member of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedures and the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs: June 19, 2020
Chair of the Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs

Dr. Marcus Powlowski

Constituency: Thunder Bay—Rainy Rive

Province/Territory: Ontario

Preferred Language: English

Current role: Member

Biography

First elected to Parliament in 2019
Former physician in the emergency room at Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre
For several years, he worked as a consultant in health legislation for the World Health Organization, he also volunteered on a medical project in Ethiopia

Role

Member of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs: June 19, 2020
Member of the Standing Committee on Health

Considerations

During the Standing Committee on Health (HESA) briefings on the Coronavirus, the member has asked questions about how the virus is known to be communicated, self-isolation measures for returning travellers, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) protocol, and the procurement of medical supplies and medication
During the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs (INAN) committee meetings, Dr. Powlowski asked questions about the healthcare systems in northern regions and on the government’s approach to find solutions for the communities
Dr. Powlowski has been active on social media in sharing government messaging on its response to COVID-19, including messages from the chief Public Health Officer (CPHO)
On social media, he has been focusing on issues such as access to employment insurance (EI)/economic measures, physical distancing, and assistance to the agricultural sector

Riding specific

Heddle Shipyards is located in the neighbouring riding of Thunder Bay—Superior North.

Adam Van Koeverden

Constituency: Milton

Province/Territory: Ontario

Preferred Language: English

Current role: Parliamentary Secretary

Biography

First elected to Parliament in 2019
He worked as a managing consultant with Deloitte, and as a broadcaster, writer and producer with CBC Sports

Role

Member of INAN.

Considerations

During INAN meetings he asked about the impact on vulnerable populations within Indigenous populations and Indigenous youth
Mr. Van Koeverden has been active on social media sharing government updates regarding COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement

Lenore Zann

Constituency: Cumberland-Colchester

Province/Territory: Nova Scotia

Preferred Language: English

Current role: Member

Biography

First elected to Parliament in 2019
She worked as a screen, television, stage, and voice actress
She was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in 2009 and 2013 for the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party (NDP)

Role

Member of INAN
Member of the Special Committee on Canada-China Relations

Considerations

During INAN meetings, she has asked questions about youth mental health, addiction and substance abuse, access to funding for women who are escaping violence on reserve, and access to funding for friendship centres
Ms. Zann has been active on social media sharing government updates regarding COVID-19

Interest in Public Services and Procurement Canada Portfolio at the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs: June 19, 2020

Asked about the sectors that Indigenous businesses could be contracted by the Government of Canada in order to procure personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic.

Members from the Conservative Party of Canada

Bob Zimmer

Constituency: Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies

Province/Territory: British Columbia

Preferred Language: English

Current role: Member

Biography

First elected to Parliament in 2011
In the 42nd Parliament, he served as chair of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (2017 to 2019), vice-chair of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (2016 to 2017), critic for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, chair of the British Columbia (BC)/Yukon Conservative Caucus, and chair of the National Prayer Breakfast

Role

Member of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs: June 19, 2020
Critics for Northern Affairs and Northern Economic Development Agency

Considerations

Mr. Zimmer issued a statement on social media expressing concerns regarding the national emergency stockpile and the availability of personal protective equipment in northern regions.

Interest in Public Services and Procurement Canada Portfolio at the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs: June 19, 2020

The member has raised concerns about the availability of PPE in northern regions especially with the elders at risk since many members of these communities are caregivers
He mentioned that north of Fort St. John, people turned to stores for PPE and hand sanitizer because the needed equipment never arrived from the national emergency stockpile
The member mentioned that our stockpile was gifted to China resulting in no PPE left for Canadians
The member asked about the available quantities of PPE in northern regions to allow businesses to reopen

Gary Vidal

Constituency: Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River

Province/Territory: Saskatchewan

Preferred Language: English

Current role: Member

Biography

First elected to Parliament in 2019
Served as mayor of Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan from 2011 to 2019
He was vice chair of Saskatchewan City Mayors’ Caucus from 2016 to 2018
Member of the SaskWater Board of Directors from 2008 to 2017

Role

Member of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs: June 19, 2020
Critic for Indigenous Services

Considerations

The member asked about the role of friendship centres during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the challenges of testing services in Indigenous communities
Mr. Vidal has been active on social media sharing content regarding gun control, updates on government measures, and COVID-19 updates

Arnold Viersen

Constituency: Peace River—Westlock

Province/Territory: Alberta

Preferred Language: English

Current role: Member

Biography

First elected to Parliament in 2015
In the 42nd Parliament, Mr. Viersen was the deputy critic of rural affairs

Role

Member of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs: June 19, 2020
Deputy critic for Crown-Indigenous Relations

Considerations

The member has raised questions during INAN meetings about inconsistency of service rollouts on reserves, and the human trafficking of Indigenous women
Mr. Viersen raised questions during the COVI question period on the Indigenous businesses that have received contracts for the procurement of PPE
Mr. Viersen has been active on social media sharing content regarding the budget, gun control, oil in Alberta and human trafficking

Interest in Public Services and Procurement Canada Portfolio at the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs: June 19, 2020

The member has asked about the challenges to get PPE in Indigenous communities, and the number of Indigenous businesses contracted by the government for the procurement of PPE, he further raised concerns regarding the approval process in order to be eligible as a vendor to procure for the GC
Mr. Viersen questioned whether any Indigenous business has received a contract for PPE procurement from Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC)

Jamie Schmale

Constituency: Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock

Province/Territory: Ontario

Preferred Language: English

Current role: Vice-chair

Biography

First elected to Parliament in 2015
Former executive assistant and campaign manager for former Conservative MP Barry Devolin (Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes-Brock, Ontario)
In the 42nd Parliament, he served as the opposition critic for Northern Economic Development, and Deputy Critic for Natural Resources

Role

Vice-chair of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs: June 19, 2020
Member of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs: June 19, 2020
Critics for Crown-Indigenous Relations

Considerations

Mr. Schmale has been active on social media sharing articles regarding gun control and updates on government measures

Member from the Bloc Québécois

Sylvie Bérubé

Constituency: Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou

Province/Territory: Quebec

Preferred Language: French

Current role: Vice-Chair

Biography

Worked in human resources and information with the Centres intégrés de santé et de services sociaux (CISSS) de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Acted as the director of the social committee at l’Hôpital de Val-d’Or
Former president of the Parti Québécois d’Abitibi-Est

Role

Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
Member of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
Critic for Indigenous Affairs

Considerations

Ms. Bérubé asked about the steps that the government can take in order to help women who are victims of domestic violence and about the government funding for Indigenous communities
Ms. Bérubé has been active on social media sharing content regarding mental health and updates on the government measures regarding COVID-19

Interest in Public Services and Procurement Canada Portfolio at the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs: June 19, 2020

The member asked if Indigenous communities have the resources they need in order to implement their pandemic plans.

Members from the New Democratic Party

Mumilaaq Qaqqaq

Constituency: Nunavut

Province/Territory: Nunavut

Preferred Language: English

Current role: Member

Biography

First elected to Parliament in 2019
Worked as an employment officer with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, and as a wellness program specialist with the Health Department of the Government of Nunavut
Delivered a speech in the House of Commons on International Women’s Day, 2017

Role

Member of the Standing Committee on Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
Member of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
Critic for the Northern Economic Development agency, Northern Affairs
Deputy Critic for Natural Resources

Considerations

The member stated that resources for mental health are scarce in her riding and is interested in the support that can be provided during the pandemic
The member asked about the testing done in Indigenous communities during an INAN meeting
Ms. Qaqqaq has been active on social media sharing government measures and updates regarding Nunavut

Interest in Public Services and Procurement Canada Portfolio at the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs: June 19, 2020

The member asked whether chiefs were being consulted regarding the needs of PPE delivered in the communities.

Niki Ashton

Constituency: Churchill—Keewatinook Aski

Province/Territory: Manitoba

Preferred Language: English

Biography

First elected to Parliament in 2008
Ran in the 2012 and 2017 NDP leadership race
Served in the 42nd Parliament as the NDP critic for Aboriginal Affairs

Role

Critic for Transport, and deputy critic for women and gender equality.

Considerations

The member asked about the risks of contamination in work camps in northern regions
Ms. Ashton is in favour of nationalisation of PPE production in Canada and sent a letter to the prime minister urging him to produce PPE for First Nations and northern regions
The member is active on social media posting about airline company reimbursements and updates on COVID-19

Interest in Public Services and Procurement Canada portfolio

The member asked during a HESA committee about the need for PPE for frontline staff who work for first nations
The member asked about the possibility to fly in testing kits in northern regions
During a meeting of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) on June 9, 2020, the member inquired about the resignation of one of the members of the Supply Council, as well as the vetting process

Charlie Angus

Constituency: Timmins—James Bay

Province/Territory: Ontario

Preferred Language: English

Biography

First elected to Parliament in 2004
Finished second in the 2017 NDP leadership race
Served in the 42nd Parliament in critic roles for Indigenous Affairs and Ethics

Role

Critic for official languages, ethics, federal economic development initiative for Northern Ontario, Indigenous youth, income inequality and affordability, deputy critic for labour.

Considerations

The member has asked about the economic effect of COVID-19 on small air carriers and airports that serve northern First Nations communities
The member has stated that Canada was unprepared and was not able to provide frontline workers with sufficient amounts of PPE
The member is active on social media with respect to the need to extend the availability of Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and privacy concerns with contact tracing applications

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Date modified:: 2023-12-05