Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Aboriginal Peoples

Issue 53 - Minutes of Proceedings - April 30, 2019

OTTAWA, Tuesday, April 30, 2019
(118)

The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met this day at 8:02 a.m., in room C128, Senate of Canada Building.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Boyer, Christmas, Coyle, Doyle, Francis, LaBoucane- Benson, McCallum, McPhedran and Patterson (9).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Black (Ontario) (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.

The clerk informed the committee of the unavoidable absences of the chair and the deputy chair and presided over the election of an acting chair.

The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson moved:

That the Honourable Senator Christmas be the acting chair.

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

The acting chair took the chair.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, the committee continued its examination of the subject matter of Bill C-92, An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 52.)

WITNESSES:

Government of Nunavut:

The Honourable Elisapee Sheutiapik, Minister for Family Services and Government House Leader.

Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation:

Paul Prosper, Chief.

Mi'kmaq Rights Initiative:

Jennifer Cox, Barrister & Solicitor, Project Lead-Enhanced Child Family Initiative.

Mi'kmaw Family & Children Services of Nova Scotia:

Paul Morris, Lead Counsel.

First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission:

Richard Gray, Manager, Social Services.

Tungasuvvingat Inuit:

Jason LeBlanc, Executive Director.

Metis Child and Family Services Authority:

Billie Schibler, Chief Executive Officer.

The acting chair made a statement.

Hon. Elisapee Sheutiapik made a statement and answered questions.

At 8:46 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 8:54 a.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Prosper, Ms. Cox and Mr. Morris each made a statement and answered questions.

At 10 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 10:08 a.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Gray, Mr. LeBlanc and Ms. Schibler each made a statement and answered questions.

At 11:08 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Mireille K. Aubé
Clerk of the Committee