Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Aboriginal Peoples

Issue 35 - Minutes of Proceedings - March 27, 2018

OTTAWA, Tuesday, March 27, 2018
(78)

[English]

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

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Boniface, Christmas, Deacon, Doyle, Dyck, McCallum, McPhedran, Ngo, Patterson, Raine and Tannas (11).

In attendance: Brittany Collier and Michael Chalupovitsch, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament; Síofra McAllister, Communications Officer, Senate Communications Directorate.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, March 1, 2018, the committee began its consideration of Bill C-70, An Act to give effect to the Agreement on Cree Nation Governance between the Crees of Eeyou Istchee and the Government of Canada, to amend the Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts.

WITNESSES:

Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada:

Perry Billingsley, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Treaties and Aboriginal Government;

Sylvain Ouellet, Director General, Treaties and Aboriginal Government.

Department of Justice Canada:

Geneviève Thériault, Senior Counsel.

Grand Council of the Cree (Eeyou Istchee):

Abel Bosum, Grand Chief;

Mandy Gull, Deputy Grand Chief;

Matthew Coon Come, Former Grand Chief;

Bill Namagoose, Executive Director;

Paul John Murdoch, Lawyer;

Kaitlyn Hester-Moses, Youth Grand Chief.

Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP:

John Hurley, Partner.

The chair made a statement.

Mr. Billingsley made a statement and, together with Mr. Ouellet and Ms. Thériault, answered questions.

Mr. Bosum made a statement and, together with Ms. Gull, Mr. Coon Come, Mr. Namagoose, Mr. Murdoch and Ms. Hester-Moses, answered questions.

At 9:43 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 9:49 a.m., the committee resumed.

The chair asked whether it was agreed that the witnesses remain at the table during clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-70, An Act to give effect to the Agreement on Cree Nation Governance between the Crees of Eeyou Istchee and the Government of Canada, to amend the Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts.

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

It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-70, An Act to give effect to the Agreement on Cree Nation Governance between the Crees of Eeyou Istchee and the Government of Canada, to amend the Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts.

It was agreed to group clauses by the three parts identified in the bill.

It was agreed that the title stand postponed.

It was agreed that Part 1, containing clause 1, carry.

It was agreed that Part 2, containing clauses 2 to 123, carry.

It was agreed that Part 3, containing clauses 124 to 135, carry.

It was agreed that the title carry.

It was agreed that the bill carry.

It was agreed that Bill C-70 be reported without amendments to the Senate.

At 10:46 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Mark Palmer
Clerk of the Committee