Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Aboriginal Peoples

Issue 23 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Tuesday, March 16, 1999
(38)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met at 10:05 a.m. this day, in Room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Senator Watt, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Andreychuk, Chalifoux, Gill, Pearson and Watt (6).

In attendance: Research Staff of the Committee: Konrad Sioui, First Nations Specialist.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

WITNESSES:

From Syncrude Canada Ltd:

Mr. Robert Loader, Manager, Aboriginal Affairs;

Ms Beverley Davies, Co-ordinator, Aboriginal Development Program.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, December 9, 1997, the committee continued its examination of aboriginal self-government. ( See Issue No. 11, Tuesday, November 3, 1998 for full text of the Order of Reference.)

Mr. Robert Loader made an opening statement and, together with Ms Beverley Davies, answered questions.

Mr. Loader tabled "Aboriginal Review 1997 -- A Report on the Relationship Between Syncrude Canada Ltd. and the Aboriginal People of Northeastern Alberta," which was retained by the Clerk as Exhibit 5900-1.36/A1-SS1, 23 "1".

At 11:20 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Tuesday, March 16, 1999
(39)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met in camera, at 5:20 p.m. this day, in Room 257, East Block, the Chair, the Honourable Senator Watt, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Chalifoux, Pearson, St. Germain, P.C., Tkachuk and Watt (5).

In attendance: Research Staff of the Library of Parliament: Jill Wherrett; Research Staff of the Committee: Konrad Sioui, First Nations Specialist, and Larry Chartrand, Metis Specialist.

The Chairman, the Honourable Senator Watt, presented the following:

REPORT OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON AGENDA AND PROCEDURE

Your subcommittee met in camera on Tuesday, March 9, 1999, to consider matters of agenda, the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Watt, presiding.

Subcommittee members present at the meeting: The Honourable Senators Johnson, Pearson and Watt (3).

The subcommittee reviewed a draft budget for the Special Study on Aboriginal Self-Government for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2000.

After debate, it was moved that the subcommittee adopt the budget with amendments as follows:

SPECIAL STUDY ON ABORIGINAL SELF-GOVERNMENT

SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES
PROFESSIONAL AND OTHER SERVICES	$ 109,250
TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS	8,000
OTHER EXPENDITURES	3,200
TOTAL	$ 120,450

The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.

Respectfully submitted,

Charlie Watt

Chair

The Honourable Senator Pearson moved the adoption of the budget as presented by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure and that the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Watt, be authorized to present the draft budget to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

After debate, it was agreed that an in camera meeting be held next Tuesday, March 23, to discuss future business.

At 6:10 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 17, 1999
(40)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met at 5:40 p.m. this day, in Room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Senator Watt, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Andreychuk, Austin, P.C., Gill, Pearson, St. Germain, P.C. and Watt (7).

In attendance: Research Staff of the Committee: Konrad Sioui, First Nations Specialist and Larry Chartrand, Métis Specialist.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

WITNESSES:

From the Ontario Federation of Friendship Centres:

Ms Vera Pawis-Tabobondung, President;

Mr. Tim Thompson, Policy Director.

From the National Association of Friendship Centres:

Mr. Wayne Helgason, President;

Mr. Marc Maracle, Executive Director;

Ms Stacy Hill, Youth Representative, Vice-President, Aboriginal Youth Council;

Mr. Rod MacDonald, President, Law Commission of Canada.

Ms Vera Pawis-Tabobondung made an opening statement and, together with Mr. Tim Thompson, answered questions.

At 6:35 p.m., Ms Stacy Hill made an opening statement.

At 6:40 p.m., the Honourable Senator Pearson took the Chair.

Mr. Rod MacDonald, President of the Law Commission of Canada, and Mr. Wayne Helgason, President of the National Association of Friendship Centres, continued with the opening statement.

At 6:45 p.m., the Honourable Senator Watt returned to the Chair.

Mr. Helgason, together with Mr. Maracle, Mr. MacDonald and Ms Hill answered questions.

Mr. Rob MacDonald tabled two documents: "The 1997-98 Annual Report of the Law Commission of Canada -- Living Law" which was retained by the Clerk as Exhibit 5900-1.36/A1-SS1, 23 "1" and "The Law Commission of Canada -- Strategic Agenda," which was retained by the Clerk as Exhibit 5900-1.36/A1-SS1, 23 "2".

At 7:55 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Jill Anne Joseph

Clerk of the Committee

Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples

Issue 23 - Minutes of Proceedings

Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Aboriginal Peoples