Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Aboriginal Peoples
Issue 11 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, June 9, 2009
(23)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met this day at 9:29 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, Carstairs, P.C., Dawson, Dyck, Lang, Raine, St. Germain, P.C., and Sibbeston (10).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Watt (1).
In attendance: Mary Hurley, 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 Thursday, June 4, 2009, the committee began its consideration of Bill C-28, An Act to amend the Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act.
APPEARING:
The Honourable, Chuck Strahl, P.C., M.P., Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians.
WITNESSES:
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada:
Damon Rourke, Acting Director, Implementation Planning and Negotiations and James Bay Implementation Office;
Deborah Corber, Counsel, Agent of the Attorney General of Canada;
Marianne Kroes, Counsel.
Grand Council of the Crees:
Matthew Mukash, Grand Chief;
Bill Namagoose, Executive Director;
Brian Craik, Director of Federal Relations;
Denis Blanchette, Legal Counsel.
Oujé-Bougoumou Cree Nation:
Paul Wertman, Adviser.
The chair made opening remarks.
Mr. Strahl made a statement and, along with Mr. Rourke and Ms. Kroes, responded to questions.
At 10:09 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 10:14 a.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. Mukash made a statement and, with Mr. Namagoose, responded to questions.
It was agreed that the following document be filed as an exhibit with the clerk of the committee:
Document entitled Democratic nature of the Cree Regional Authority, including copy of an Act respecting the Cree Regional Authority (Consolidated Statutes of Quebec, R.S.Q. c. A-6.1) (Exhibit 5900-2.40/A1-C-28-08 ``1'').
At 10:50 a.m., it was agreed, with leave, that the committee dispense with clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C- 28, An Act to amend the Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act.
It was agreed that this Bill be adopted without amendment.
It was agreed that the chair report this Bill to the Senate, without amendment, at the earliest opportunity.
At 10:52 a.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 10, 2009
(24)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met this day at 6:35 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, Carstairs, P.C., Dyck, Lang, Peterson, Raine, Sibbeston, and St. Germain, P.C. (9).
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:
Manitoba Keewatinook Ininew Okimowin:
Louis Harper, Legal Counsel.
Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council:
Ken Chalmers, Chief, Birdtail Sioux First Nation, and Chair;
David Meeches, Chief, Long Plain First Nations;
Robert Daniels, Chief Executive Officer.
The chair made opening remarks.
Mr. Harper made a statement and responded to questions.
At 7:42 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:48 p.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. Chalmers made a statement and, with Mr. Meeches and Mr. Daniels, responded to questions.
At 8:52 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 8:55 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft agenda.
It was agreed that senators' staff remain in the room.
It was agreed that the committee not proceed with its planned trip to Alberta in the fall and that it consider going to British Columbia instead; and that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to determine the exact locations of public hearings to be held in both British Columbia and New Brunswick.
At 9:08 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Gaëtane Lemay
Clerk of the Committee