Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Aboriginal Peoples

Issue 50 - Minutes of Proceedings - March 19, 2019

OTTAWA, Tuesday, March 19, 2019
(110)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met this day at 8 a.m., in room C128, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Lillian Eva Dyck, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Christmas, Coyle, Doyle, Dyck, Francis, LaBoucane- Benson, Lovelace Nicholas, McCallum, McPhedran, Pate, Patterson and Tannas (12).

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

In attendance: Brittany Collier and Marlisa Tiedemann, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, February 28, 2019, the committee began its examination of the subject matter of Bill C-91, An Act respecting Indigenous languages.

APPEARING:

The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, P.C., M.P., Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism.

WITNESSES:

Canadian Heritage:

Hélène Laurendeau, Deputy Minister;

Stephen Gagnon, Federal Representative, Indigenous Languages Legislation, Citizenship, Heritage and Regions Sector.

Indigenous Services Canada:

Adrian Walraven, Acting Director General, Education, Education and Social Development Programs and Partnerships Sector.

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada:

John Topping, Director, Strategic Policy Development Directorate, Treaties and Aboriginal Government Sector;

Allan MacDonald, Director General of Implementation, Implementation Sector.

Métis National Council:

Clément Chartier, President.

National Association of Friendship Centres:

Jocelyn Formsma, Executive Director.

Congress of Aboriginal Peoples:

Robert Bertrand, National Chief;

Melissa Cernigoy, Senior Policy Advisor.

Native Women's Association of Canada:

Francyne Joe, President;

Casey Hunley, Policy Advisor, Education.

The chair made a statement.

Minister Rodriguez made a statement and, together with Ms. Laurendeau, answered questions.

At 9:01 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 9:10 a.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Chartier and Ms. Formsma each made a statement and answered questions.

At 10:04 a.m., the committee suspended.

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

Mr. Bertrand and Ms. Joe each made a statement and answered questions.

At 10:55 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Mireille K. Aubé
Clerk of the Committee