Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Aboriginal Peoples

Issue 2 - Minutes of Proceedings - February 16, 2016

OTTAWA, Tuesday, February 16, 2016
(4)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met this day 9:34 a.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Lillian Eva Dyck, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Beyak, Dyck, Enverga, Lovelace Nicholas, Moore, Patterson, Raine, Sibbeston and Tannas (9).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Smith (Cobourg), P.C., and Watt (2).

In attendance: Brittany Collier and Alexandre Lavoie, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

It was agreed that senators' staff be allowed to stay in the room.

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

At 10:10 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 10:14 a.m., the committee resumed in public.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, February 2, 2016, the committee began its study on the federal government's constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples.

WITNESSES:

Indigenous and Northern Affairs:

Sheilagh Murphy, Assistant Deputy Minister, Lands and Economic Development;

Allan Clarke, Director General, Economic Research and Policy Development Branch, Lands and Economic Development;

Claudia Ferland, Director General, Individual Affairs Branch, Resolution and Individual Affairs.

Department of Justice Canada:

Douglas Fairbairn, Legal Counsel.

The chair made a statement.

Ms. Murphy made a statement and, together with Mr. Clarke and Ms. Ferland, answered questions.

Mr. Fairbarn made a statement and answered questions.

At 11:29 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Mark Palmer

Clerk of the Committee