Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Aboriginal Peoples
Issue 5 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, May 5, 2009
(11)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met this day at 9:30 a.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Gerry St. Germain, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Brazeau, Brown, Campbell, Fairbairn, P.C., Hubley, Lang, Lovelace Nicholas, Peterson, Raine, St. Germain, P.C., and Sibbeston (11).
In attendance: Tonina Simeone and Marlisa Tiedemann, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, April 23, 2009, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Indian Oil and Gas Act. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 4.)
WITNESSES:
Indian Resource Council:
Errnol Gray, Chair;
Roy Fox, President and Chief Executive Officer;
Delbert Wapass, Vice-Chief, Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations;
Wayne Faithful, Councillor, Frog Lake First Nation.
Stoney Nakoda First Nations:
David Bearspaw, Chief, Bearspaw Band;
Clifford Poucette, Chief, Wesley Band;
Bruce Labelle, Chief, Chiniki Band;
Douglas Rae, Legal Counsel;
John Snow, Director of Oil and Gas.
Independent Lobby for Amendment to the Indian Oil & Gas Act — 1974:
Eugene Seymour, Coordinator.
The chair made opening remarks.
Mr. Gray and Mr. Fox each made a statement after saying a few words in their mother native tongue and, with Mr. Wapass, responded to questions.
At 10:27 a.m., Chief Labelle, Chief Poucette, and Chief Bearspaw made a joint statement, Mr. Seymour made a statement, and they all responded to questions, with Mr. Rae and Mr. Snow.
It was agreed to file the following document as an exhibit with the clerk of the committee:
Letter dated May, 26, 2008 addressed by the Minister of Indian and Northern Development, the Honourable Chuck Strahl, to the chairman of the Indian Resource Council, Mr. Ernold Gray (Exhibit 5900-2.40/A1-SS-1- 8''1'').
At 11:08 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 11:10 a.m., the committee resumed.
It was agreed that committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Indian Oil and Gas Act.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1 carry.
It was agreed that clause 2 carry.
It was agreed that clause 3 carry.
It was agreed that clause 4 carry.
It was agreed that the title carry.
It was agreed that this bill be adopted without amendment.
It was agreed that the chair report the bill to the Senate, without amendment, at the earliest opportunity.
At 11:17 a.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 6, 2009
(12)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met this day at 6:30 p.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Gerry St. Germain, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Brazeau, Brown, Cordy, Fraser, Hubley, Lang, Lovelace Nicholas, Peterson, Raine, St. Germain, P.C., and Sibbeston (11).
In attendance: Tonina Simeone, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, February 25, 2009, the committee continued its consideration of the federal government's constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples and on other matters generally relating to the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 1).
WITNESSES:
As individuals:
Bradford W. Morse, Professor, Ottawa University Law School;
John Graham, Senior Associate, Institute on Governance;
Shin Imai, Professor, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University.
The chair made opening remarks.
Mr. Morse, Mr. Graham and Mr. Imai each made a statement and responded to questions.
At 8:28 p.m. the committee suspended.
At 8:30 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft agenda (future business).
It was agreed that senators' staff remain in the room.
At 8:37 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Gaëtane Lemay
Clerk of the Committee