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Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Aboriginal Peoples

Issue 14 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 28, 2007
(31)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met at 6:15 p.m., this day, in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Gerry St. Germain, P.C., presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Campbell, Dyck, Hubley, St. Germain, P.C., and Watt (5).

In attendance: From the Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament: Mary C. Hurley, Tonina Simeone and Frédéric Beauregard-Tellier.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, December 13, 2006, the committee continued its consideration of Bill S-216, providing for the Crown's recognition of self-governing First Nations of Canada. (See Issue No. 13, Tuesday, February 27, 2007, for the full text of the Order of Reference.)

WITNESS:

Assembly of First Nations:

Wilton Littlechild, Regional Chief, Alberta.

The Chair made opening remarks.

Mr. Littlechild made a statement and answered questions.

It was agreed that the following documents be filed as exhibits with the Clerk of the Committee:

  • Speaking notes for the U.N. Treaty Seminar Maskwacîs, Treaty 6 Territory, submitted by Wilton Littlechild, Regional Chief of Alberta, February 28, 2007 (Exhibit 5900-1.39/A1-S-216,14,''1'')

  • Article from Michael J. Chandler and Christopher Lalonde, University of British Columbia, entitled Cultural Continuity as a Hedge Against Suicide in Canada's First Nations, submitted by Wilton Littlechild, Regional Chief of Alberta, February 28, 2007 (Exhibit 5900-1.39/A1-S-216,14,''2'')

At 7:06 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:12 p.m., the committee resumed in camera.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, May 9, 2006, the committee continued its study on the involvement of aboriginal communities and businesses in economic development activities in Canada. (See Issue No. 2, Wednesday, May 31, 2006, for the full text of the Order of Reference.)

It was agreed that staff remain.

Pursuant to rule 92(2)(f) the committee considered a draft report.

Members discussed the revised draft recommendations and made comments on the draft report.

It was agreed:

That the draft report on Aboriginal economic development be adopted;

That the Chair be authorized to make the changes that were discussed and approved by the members, as well as the minor typographical and grammatical corrections deemed necessary, without modifying the substance of the report;

That the Chair table this report in the Senate at the earliest opportunity, that he ask for a complete and detailed response to it pursuant to rule 131(2), the Minister of Indian Affairs being identified as Minister responsible for responding to the report.

It was agreed that the Chair and the Deputy Chair be empowered to design and implement the communication plan they deem fit to publicize the findings of the report and that, if they are required to travel outside the National Capital Region to do so, they be considered to be on ``official business'' for the purpose of paragraph 8(3)(a) of the Senators Attendance Policy.

It was agreed that the Chair be authorized to seek the authority of the Senate for an order of reference to examine and report on recent work completed in relation to drinking water in First Nations' communities.

At 7:35 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Gaëtane Lemay

Clerk of the Committee

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