Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Aboriginal Peoples
Issue 5 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, February 22, 2005
(13)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met at 9:09 a.m., this day, in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Nick G. Sibbeston, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Léger, Pearson, Rompkey, Sibbeston, Stratton and Watt (6).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Mary Hurley and Lisa Patterson.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, February 16, 2005, the committee began its consideration of Bill C-20, An Act to provide for real property taxation powers of first nations, to create a First Nations Tax Commission, First Nations Financial Management Board, First Nations Finance Authority and First Nations Statistical Institute and to make consequential amendments to other acts.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Andy Scott, P.C., M.P., Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
The Honourable Susan Barnes, P.C., M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
WITNESSES:
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada:
Brenda Kustra, Director General, Lands and Trust Services, Governance;
Paul Salembier, General Counsel, Legislative Initiatives, Legal Services.
First Nations Fiscal Institutions Initiative:
Clarence (Manny) Jules, Spokesperson.
First Nations Financial Management Board:
Harold Calla, Chairman of Advisory Panel.
First Nations Finance Authority:
Deanna Hamilton, President and Chief Executive Officer.
First Nations Statistics:
Tom Bressette, Chair of Advisory Panel.
Indian Taxation Advisory Board:
Strater Crowfoot, Chairman.
Mr. Scott made an opening statement and, together with Ms. Barnes, Ms. Kustra and Mr. Salembier, answered questions.
At 10:00 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 10:05 a.m., the committee resumed the meeting.
Mr. Jules, Mr. Calla, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Bressette and Mr. Crowfoot each made an opening statement and then together answered questions.
At 11:10 a.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 23, 2005
(14)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met at 6:18 p.m., this day, in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Nick G. Sibbeston, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Léger, Sibbeston, Stratton and Watt (4).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Mary Hurley and Lisa Patterson.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, February 16, 2005, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-20, An Act to provide for real property taxation powers of first nations, to create a First Nations Tax Commission, First Nations Financial Management Board, First Nations Finance Authority and First Nations Statistical Institute and to make consequential amendments to other acts.
WITNESSES:
Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia:
James R. Craven, Former Executive Director.
First Nations Finance Authority:
Deanna Hamilton, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Bank of Montreal:
Ronald Jamieson, Senior Vice-President, Aboriginal Banking.
Statistics Canada:
Douglas A. Norris, Director General, Census and Demographic Statistics.
Mr. Craven made an opening statement and, with Ms. Hamilton, answered questions.
Mr. Jamieson made an opening statement and answered questions.
Mr. Norris made an opening statement and answered questions.
At 7:43 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, March 8, 2005
(15)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met at 9:04 a.m., this day, in camera in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Nick G. Sibbeston, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Christensen, Léger, Pearson Sibbeston, St. Germain and Watt (6).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Mary Hurley and Lisa Patterson.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee considered a draft agenda.
It was agreed that staff remain.
The committee discussed future business and a draft budget.
At 9:17 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 9:29 a.m., the committee resumed in public.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, February 16, 2005, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-20, An Act to provide for real property taxation powers of first nations, to create a First Nations Tax Commission, First Nations Financial Management Board, First Nations Finance Authority and First Nations Statistical Institute and to make consequential amendments to other acts.
WITNESSES:
As a panel:
Saddle Lake First Nation:
Eric J. Large, Acting Chief.
Six Nations Council:
David M. General, Chief.
Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians:
Chris McCormick, Grand Chief.
Oneida Nation of the Thames:
Randall Phillips, Chief.
Manitoba Keewatinook Ininew Okimowin:
Michael Anderson, Research Director.
Swan Lake First Nation:
Robert Daniels, Chief.
The Chair invited Mr. Ben Whiskeyjack to say a prayer.
It was agreed that the following draft budget application, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2006, for its special study on involvement of Aboriginal communities and businesses in economic development activities in Canada be adopted and submitted to the Senate Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
| Professional and Other Services | $ 102,200 |
| Transportation and Communications | $ 269,030 |
| All Other Expenditures | $ 14,000 |
| Total | $ 385,230 |
Mr. Large, Mr. General, Mr. McCormick, Mr. Phillips and Mr. Anderson each made a presentation.
Chief Robert Daniels, from Swan Lake First Nation asked the committee if he could table a document.
It was agreed that the following material be filed as exhibit with the Clerk of the Committee:
- Document submitted by Chief Robert Daniels, from the Swan Lake First Nation, January 18, 2005, (Exhibit 5900-1.38/A1-C-20,5,''1'')
The witnesses answered questions.
It was agreed that the following material be filed as exhibit with the Clerk of the Committee:
- Document submitted by Michael Anderson, from the Manitoba Keewatinook Ininew Okimowin, March 8, 2005, (Exhibit 5900-1.38/A1-C-20,5,''2'')
At 11:25 a.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 9, 2005
(16)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met at 6:17 p.m., this day, in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Nick G. Sibbeston, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Christensen, Fitzpatrick, Léger, Pearson, Sibbeston, St. Germain, P.C., and Watt (7).
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Marlisa Tiedemann and Lisa Patterson.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, February 16, 2005, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-20, An Act to provide for real property taxation powers of first nations, to create a First Nations Tax Commission, First Nations Financial Management Board, First Nations Finance Authority and First Nations Statistical Institute and to make consequential amendments to other acts.
WITNESSES:
As a panel:
Canadian Property Tax Association:
Ken Marsh, Legislative Liaison.
Interim Westbank First Nation Advisory Council:
John Reddick, Chair.
Snake Island Cottagers Association:
Maurice Sandford, President.
Mr. Marsh, Mr. Reddick and Mr. Sandford each made a presentation. The witnesses answered questions.
It was agreed that the following material be filed as exhibits with the Clerk of the Committee:
- Document submitted by John Reddick, from the Interim Westbank First Nation Advisory Council, dated March 2, 2005, entitled Westbank First Nation Advisory Council Law (Exhibit 5900-1.38/ A1-C-20,5,''3'').
At 7:05 p.m. it was agreed that the committee proceed to clause by clause consideration of Bill C-20.
It was agreed that the title, the preamble and clause 1 stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 2 carry.
It was agreed that clause 3 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 4 to 15 carry.
It was agreed that clause 16 carry.
It was agreed that clause 17 to 28 carry.
It was agreed that clause 29 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 30 to 34 carry.
It was agreed that clause 35 carry.
It was agreed that clause 36 carry.
It was agreed that clause 37 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 38 to 48 carry.
It was agreed that clause 49 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 50 to 54 carry.
It was agreed that clause 55 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 56 and 57 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 58 to 73 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 74 to 87 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 88 to 90 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 91 to 103 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 104 to 107 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 108 to 113 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 114 to 131 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 132 to 139 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 140 to 146 carry.
It was agreed that clauses 147 to 154 carry.
It was agreed that clause 155 carry.
It was agreed that the schedule carry.
It was agreed that clause 1 carry.
It was agreed that the preamble carry.
It was agreed that the title carry.
It was agreed that the bill be adopted without amendment.
It was agreed that the bill be reported to the Senate.
At 7:13 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Gaëtane Lemay
Clerk of the Committee