Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Aboriginal Peoples

Issue 16 - Minutes of Proceedings - May 1, 2012

OTTAWA, Tuesday, May 1, 2012
(35)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met this day, at 9:33 a.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Ataullahjan, Brazeau, Campbell, Demers, Meredith, Munson, Patterson, Raine and Sibbeston (9).

In attendance: Shauna Troniak, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

The clerk informed the committee of the unavoidable absences of the chair and deputy chair and presided over the election of an acting chair.

The Honourable Senator Meredith moved:

That the Honourable Senator Patterson be the acting chair.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The acting chair took the chair.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, the committee began its consideration of Bill S-8, An Act respecting the safety of drinking water on First Nation lands.

WITNESSES:

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada:

Gail Mitchell, Director General, Community Infrastructure Branch;

Karl Carisse, Senior Director, Innovation and Major Policy Transformation, Community Infrastructure Branch.

Department of Justice Canada:

Paul Salembier, General Counsel, Operations and Programs.

Health Canada:

Shelagh Jane Woods, Director General, Primary Health Care and Public Health Directorate, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch;

Ivy Chan, Director, Environmental Public Health Division, Primary Health Care and Public Health, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch.

Ms Mitchell and Ms Woods each made a statement and, together with Mr. Salembier and Mr. Carisse, answered questions.

At 11:03 a.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Marcy Zlotnick

Clerk of the Committee