Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Aboriginal Peoples

Issue 14 - Minutes of Proceedings - March 14, 2012

OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 14, 2012
(29)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met this day, at 6:59 p.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Gerry St. Germain, P.C., presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Ataullahjan, Campbell, Demers, Dyck, Meredith, Patterson, Raine, St. Germain, P.C. and Watt (9).

In attendance: Shauna Troniak and James Gauthier, 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 Thursday, June 16, 2011, the committee continued its consideration of the federal government's constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples and other matters generally relating to the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 2.)

Pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), the committee proceeded in camera to consider a draft report.

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

At 7:29 p.m., the committee resumed in public to consider a draft budget application.

The committee considered a budget for its study on the federal government's responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples containing General Expenses of $2,920 and four travel activities as follows:

Activity 1, Aboriginal health — $180,247

Activity 2, the Métis in Canada (west) — $231,509

Activity 3, the Métis in Canada (east) — $23,213

Activity 4, the Métis in Canada (Labrador) — $44,085

The Honourable Senator Campbell moved that the committee undertake a special study on the Métis in Canada.

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

The Honourable Senator Raine moved that the committee strike Activity 1 from the budget.

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

It was agreed that the number of senators travelling on fact finding in Activities 3 and 4 be reduced from 7 to 3.

The Honourable Senator Campbell moved that the budget, as amended, be adopted, as follows:

Summary of Expenditures

Professional and Other Services	$   21,843
Transportation and Communications	233,917
All Other Expenditures	23,910
TOTAL	$ 279,670

It was agreed that this special study budget application (federal government's responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples) be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.

It was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to finalize the changes agreed to by the committee once the recalculation and reformatting have been completed.

At 7:32 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), the committee continued in camera to consider a draft report.

At 8:52 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Marcy Zlotnick

Clerk of the Committee