Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Aboriginal Peoples
Issue 1 - First Report of the Committee
Monday, March 12, 2001
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples has the honour to table its
FIRST REPORT
Your Committee, which was authorized by the Senate to incur expenses for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such legislation and other matters as were referred to it reports, pursuant to Rule 104 of the Rules, that the expenses incurred by the Committee during the Second Session of the Thirty-Sixth Parliament are as follows:
With respect to its examination and consideration of legislation:
| Professional Services | $ 1,212.95 |
| Transportation | $ 0.00 |
| Other, Miscellaneous | $ 78.00 |
| Witness Expenses | $ 81,751.78 |
| Total | $ 83,042.73 |
With respect to its special study on Aboriginal Self-Government:
| Professional Services | $ 7,200.00 |
| Transportation | $ 0.00 |
| Other, Miscellaneous | $ 0.00 |
| Witness Expenses | $ 0.00 |
| Total | $ 7,200.00 |
With respect to its special sudy on Aboriginal Economic Development in relation to Northern National Parks:
| Professional Services | $ 177.25 |
| Transportation | $ 1,810.68 |
| Other, Miscellaneous | $ 38.88 |
| Witness Expenses | $ 4,754.45 |
| Total | $ 6,781.26 |
During the session, your Committee held 26 meetings, heard 83 witnesses, and examined two bills including Bill C-9, an Act to give effect to the Nisga'a Final Agreement, and C-14, An Act respecting an agreement with the Norway House Cree Nation for the settlement of matters arising from the flooding of land, and respecting the establishment of certain reserves in the province of Manitoba.
The Committee also completed a special study on the recommendations of the Royal Commission Report on Aboriginal Peoples (Sessional paper 2/35-508.) respecting Aboriginal governance. In its report of February 2000, the Committee formulated a number of recommendations designed to build good relations. Among other things, it recommended a new Office of Aboriginal Relations outside the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development; and an independent oversight body for relationships involving Aboriginal peoples and the Government of Canada, which would report to Parliament and have an investigative and ombudsman-type role, compliance monitoring functions; and a facilitation role.
On June 13, 2000, the Committee received an Order of Reference to examine and report upon Aboriginal economic development in relation to northern national parks. This Order of Reference was delegated to a Subcommittee, which began hearings in Ottawa last September.
The Committee submitted six reports.
Respectfully submitted,
THELMA J. CHALIFOUX
Chair