Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Aboriginal Peoples

Issue 4 - Minutes of Proceedings - February 26, 2014

OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 26, 2014
(13)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met this day at 6:53 p.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Dennis Glen Patterson, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Beyak, Boisvenu, Dyck, Martin, Meredith, Ngo, Patterson, Raine, Sibbeston, Wallace and Watt (11).

In attendance: Julie Cool and Martha Butler, 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 12, 2014, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-16, An Act to give effect to the Governance Agreement with Sioux Valley Dakota Nation and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.

Pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee began in camera to consider a draft agenda (future business).

It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to remain in the room during in camera portions of the meeting.

It was agreed that the chair pose the agreed upon questions to the witnesses on behalf of the committee.

At 7:35 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:38 p.m., the committee resumed in public.

WITNESSES:

Sioux Valley Dakota Nation:

Bruce Slusar, Tribal Attorney.

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada:

Stephen Peltz, Senior Negotiator, Negotiations — Central.

Department of Justice Canada:

Lee Webber, Legal Counsel, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada Legal Services.

Mr. Slusar, Mr. Peltz and Mr. Webber answered questions.

It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-16, An Act to give effect to the Governance Agreement with Sioux Valley Dakota Nation and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.

It was agreed that the title stand postponed.

It was agreed that the preamble stand postponed.

It was agreed that clause 1 stand postponed.

It was agreed that clause 2 carry.

It was agreed that clause 3 carry.

With leave, it was agreed that clauses be grouped by five's.

It was agreed that clause 4 to 9 carry.

It was agreed that clause 10 to 15 carry.

It was agreed that clause 16 to 21carry.

It was agreed that the schedule carry.

It was agreed that clause 1 carry.

It was agreed that preamble carry.

It was agreed that the title carry.

It was agreed that the bill carry.

It was agreed that the chair report the bill to the Senate.

At 8:29 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 8:37 p.m., the committee, pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), resumed in camera to consider a draft agenda (future business).

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, February 25, 2014, the committee began its consideration of the challenges and potential solutions relating to First Nations infrastructure on reserves.

It was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to finalize the workplan for the study and to develop a draft budget for consideration by the committee.

It was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to consider the possibility of the committee doing a parallel study of Inuit housing at the same time as this study.

At 8:58 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Marcy Zlotnick

Clerk of the Committee