Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Aboriginal Peoples
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, November 14, 2007
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met at 6:17 p.m. this day, in room 160-S, Centre Block, for the purpose of holding its organization meeting, pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Dyck, Gustafson, Hubley, Lovelace Nicholas, Peterson, Sibbeston and St. Germain, P.C. (7).
In attendance: Tonina Simeone and Mary Hurley, analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 88, the clerk of the committee presided over the election of the chair.
The Honourable Senator Sibbeston moved that the Honourable Senator St. Germain, P.C., do take the chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The clerk invited Senator St. Germain to take the chair.
The Honourable Senator Peterson moved that the Honourable Senator Sibbeston be deputy chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Peterson moved:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the chair, the deputy chair, and one other member of the committee, to be designated after the usual consultation; and
That the Subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses, and to schedule hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Dyck moved:
That the committee print its proceedings; and
That the chair be authorized to set the number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Gustafson moved:
That pursuant to rule 89, the chair be authorized to hold meetings, to receive and authorize the printing of the evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that a member of the committee from both the government and the opposition be present.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Hubley moved:
That the committee adopt the draft first report, prepared in accordance with rule 104.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Peterson moved:
That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign analysts to the committee;
That the chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate to engage the services of such counsel and technical, clerical, and other personnel as may be necessary for the purpose of the committee's examination and consideration of such bills, subject matters of bills, and estimates as are referred to it;
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to retain the services of such experts as may be required by the work of the committee; and
That the chair, on behalf of the committee, direct the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses, summaries, and draft reports.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Hubley moved:
That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, and section 7, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, authority to commit funds be conferred individually on the chair, the deputy chair, and the clerk of the committee; and
That, pursuant to section 34 of the Financial Administration Act, and section 8, Chapter 3:08 of the Senate Administrative Rules, authority for certifying accounts payable by the committee be conferred individually on the chair, the deputy chair, and the clerk of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Lovelace Nicholas moved:
That the committee empower the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure to designate, as required, one or more members of the committee and/or such staff as may be necessary to travel on assignment on behalf of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Sibbeston moved:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to:
1) determine whether any member of the committee is on "official business'' for the purposes of paragraph 8(3)(a) of the Senators Attendance Policy, published in the Journals of the Senate on Wednesday, June 3, 1998; and
2) consider any member of the committee to be on "official business'' if that member is: (a) attending an event or meeting related to the work of the committee; or (b) making a presentation related to the work of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Gustafson moved:
That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness expenses, the committee may reimburse reasonable traveling and living expenses for one witness from any one organization and payment will take place upon application, but that the chair be authorized to approve expenses for a second witness should there be exceptional circumstances.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Hubley moved:
That the chair be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to permit coverage by electronic media of the committee's public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings; and
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to allow such coverage at its discretion.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The chair informed the committee that the regular time slots for its meetings are Tuesday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Wednesday evenings from 6:15 p.m. until such time as it has concluded its business.
At 6:35 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee continued in camera to consider its agenda (future business).
It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to attend the in camera portion of the meeting.
At 7:50 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, November 28, 2007
(2)
[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 Gerry St. Germain P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Dallaire, Gustafson, Hubley, Peterson, Sibbeston and St. Germain, P.C. (6).
In attendance: Tonina Simeone, analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, November 21, 2007, the committee began its consideration on the federal government's constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and on other matters generally relating to the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada.
WITNESSES:
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada:
Christine Cram, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Socio-economic Policy and Regional Operations Sector;
Marc Brooks, Director General, Community Development Branch.
Ms. Cram made an opening statement and, together with Mr. Brooks, answered questions.
At 7:40 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Marcy Zlotnick
Clerk of the Committee