Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Aboriginal Peoples
Issue 12 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, June 16, 2009
(25)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met this day at 9:31 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, Carstairs, P.C., Fairbairn, P.C., Hubley, Lang, Lovelace Nicholas, Peterson, Raine, and St. Germain, P.C. (9).
In attendance: Tonina Simeone and Karin Phillips, 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 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:
Chiefs of Ontario:
Angus Toulouse, Ontario Regional Chief;
Johanna Lazore, Senior Policy Analyst.
The chair made opening remarks.
Mr. Toulouse made a statement and responded to questions.
The committee considered a supplementary budget application.
The Honourable Senator Carstairs moved:
That the following supplementary budget application (special study on matters generally relating to the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada), to cover the costs of a committee trip to British Columbia, be approved for submission to the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
| Professional and Other Services | $ 15,100 |
| Transportation and Communications | 127,720 |
| All Other Expenditures | 29,675 |
| TOTAL | $ 172,495 |
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 11:04 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 11:06 a.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), 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 authorize the deputy chair to travel on its behalf to Toronto to attend a conference of The Canadian Institute entitled Engaging and Negotiating with Aboriginal Communities, on September 24-25, 2009; that the deputy chair be considered on "official business'' for the purposes of the Senators Attendance Policy; and that the reasonable cost of the expenses incurred, not exceeding the amount of $3,900, be applied to the "Conferences'' activity envelope; and that the deputy chair be asked to report back to the committee.
It was agreed that the committee authorize the chair to travel on its behalf to Crow Agency and to Browning, Montana, from August 12-19, 2009, to meet with leaders of the Apsaalooke and Blackfoot First Nations; that the chair be considered on "official business'' for the purposes of the Senators Attendance Policy; that the reasonable cost of the expenses incurred, not exceeding the amount of $3,800, be applied to the "Conferences'' activity envelope; and, that the chair be asked to report back to the committee.
At 11:42 a.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 17, 2009
(26)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met this day at 6:29 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, Campbell, Carstairs, P.C., Dyck, Fairbairn, P.C., Lovelace Nicholas, Martin, Peterson, Raine and St. Germain, P.C. (11).
In attendance: Tonina Simeone and Karin Phillips, 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 Wednesday June 17, 2009, the committee began its consideration of Bill C-41, An Act to give effect to the Maanulth First Nations Final Agreement and to make consequential amendments to others acts.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Chuck Strahl, P.C., M.P., Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non-Status Indians;
John Duncan, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
WITNESSES:
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada:
Eric Denhoff, Chief Federal Negotiator.
Department of Justice Canada:
Lorne Beiles, Counsel.
Maa-nulth First Nations:
Charles Cootes, Chief, Uchucklesaht Tribe;
Tess Smith, Chief, Kyuquot/Checkleseth First Nations;
Violet Mundy, Chief, Ucluelet First Nation;
Anne Mack, Chief, Toquaht Nation;
Gary Yabsley, Chief Negotiator, Kyuquot/Checkleseth First Nations.
The chair made opening remarks.
Mr. Strahl made a statement and, along with Mr. Denhoff, Mr. Beiles and Mr. Duncan, responded to questions.
At 7:13 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:17 p.m., the committee resumed.
Mr. Cootes made a statement and, along with Ms. Mack, Mr. Yabsley, Ms. Mundy and Ms. Smith, responded to questions.
At 7:57 p.m., it was agreed, with leave, that the committee dispense with clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-41, An Act to give effect to the Maanulth First Nations Final Agreement and to make consequential amendments to others acts.
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 7:58 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Gaëtane Lemay
Clerk of the Committee