Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Aboriginal Peoples

Issue 2 - Minutes of Proceedings - February 17, 2016

OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 17, 2016
(5)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met this day at 6:48 p.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Lillian Eva Dyck, presiding.

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

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Watt (1).

In attendance: Jean-Philippe Duguay and Julian Walker, 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 Tuesday, February 2, 2016, the committee continued its study on the federal government's constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples.

WITNESSES:

Canada Border Services Agency:

Lisa Janes, Regional Director General, Northern Ontario Region.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs:

Joe Wild, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Treaties and Aboriginal Government;

David Millette, Director General, Negotiations — Central, Treaties and Aboriginal Government;

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

Mohawk Council of Akwesasne:

Grand Chief Abram Benedict;

James W Ransom, Director of Tehotiienawakon;

Rasennes Pembleton, Researcher, Aboriginal Rights and Research Office.

Assembly of First Nations:

Bill Erasmus, Regional Chief.

The chair made a statement.

Ms. Ferland and Mr. Millette made statements and, together with Ms. Janes and Mr. Wild, answered questions.

At 7:49 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:56 p.m., the committee resumed.

It was moved by Senator Raine:

That the chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate for the following order of reference:

to examine and report on best practices and on-going challenges relating to housing in First Nation and Inuit communities in Nunavut, Nunavik, Nunatsiavut and the Northwest Territories, including, but not limited to:

(a) innovative solutions and technologies for the construction of housing in the North;

(b) financing opportunities and challenges to the construction, operations, and maintenance costs of housing;

(c) federal and cost-shared territorial programs and activities in relation to northern housing;

That the committee submit its final report no later than October 31, 2016 and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

Grand Chief Benedict made a statement and, together with Mr. Ransom and Mr. Pembleton, answered questions.

Mr. Erasmus made a statement and answered questions.

At 9:03 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Mark Palmer

Clerk of the Committee