THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON ABORIGINAL PEOPLES

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Friday, May 7, 2021
(3)

[English]

Pursuant to the order of the Senate of March 30, 2021, the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met, by videoconference, this day at 11 a.m. [ET], the chair, the Honourable Dan Christmas, presiding. This meeting is considered to have taken place in the parliamentary precinct.

Members of the committee present by videoconference: The Honourable Senators Anderson, Christmas, Coyle, Forest-Niesing, Francis, Hartling, LaBoucane-Benson, MacDonald, Pate, Patterson, Stewart Olsen and Tannas (12).

Other senators present by videoconference: The Honourable Senators Boyer, Cotter, Dalphond and McCallum (4).

Participating in the meeting: Joëlle Nadeau, Procedural Clerk, Committees Directorate; Sara Fryer and Brittany Collier, 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 Tuesday, April 20, 2021, the committee began its consideration of the subject matter of Bill C-15, An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

APPEARING (by videoconference):

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, P.C., M.P., Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations;

The Honourable David Lametti, P.C., M.P., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.

WITNESSES (by videoconference):

Department of Justice Canada:

Laurie Sargent, Assistant Deputy Minister, Aboriginal Affairs Portfolio;

Sandra Leduc, Director and General Counsel, Aboriginal Law Centre;

Koren Marriott, Senior Counsel, Aboriginal Law Centre, Aboriginal Affairs Portfolio.

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada:

Ross Pattee, Assistant Deputy Minister, Implementation Sector;

Marla Israel, Director General.

Assembly of First Nations:

Perry Bellegarde, National Chief;

Dr. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond.

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami:

Natan Obed, President;

Tania Monaghan, Legal Advisor.

Métis National Council:

David Chartrand, MNC Vice-President and National Spokesperson;

Celeste McKay, Consultant;

Brandon MacLeod, Senior Policy Advisor.

Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians:

Joel Abram, Grand Chief.

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak:

Garrison Settee, Grand Chief;

Michael Anderson, UNDRIP Advisor.

Native Women's Association of Canada:

Lynne Groulx, Chief Executive Director;

Adam Bond, Manager, Legal Services.

The chair made a statement.

The Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada each made a statement and, together with Ms. Sargent and Mr. Pattee, answered questions.

At 12 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 3 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Bellegarde, Mr. Obed and Mr. Chartrand made statements and, together with Ms. Turpel-Lafond, answered questions.

At 3:57 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 3:59 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Abram, Mr. Settee and Mr. Bond made statements and, together with Mr. Anderson, answered questions.

At 4:56 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Andrea Mugny

Clerk of the committee