THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Tuesday, October 4, 2022
(15)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples met this day at 9 a.m., in room C128, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Brian Francis, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnot, Coyle, Francis, Hartling, Lovelace Nicholas and Tannas (6).

Participating in the meeting: Brittany Collier and Sara Fryer, analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, March 3, 2022, the committee continued its examination on the federal government’s constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and any other subject concerning Indigenous Peoples. (Topic: Follow up on the Cannabis Act)

WITNESSES (by videoconference):

Métis Nation British Columbia:

Dr. Kate Elliott, Minister of Mental Health and Harm Reduction and Chair of Women and Gender Equity.

St. Mary's First Nation:

Allan Polchies Jr., Sakom (Chief).

Thunderbird Partnership Foundation:

Carol Hopkins, Chief Executive Officer.

Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society:

Nola Jeffrey, Executive Director.

Peepeekisis Cree Nation:

Colin Stonechild, Headman.

Kate Elliott and Allan Polchies Jr. each made a statement and answered questions.

At 9:53 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 9:58 a.m., the committee resumed.

Carol Hopkins, Nola Jeffrey and Colin Stonechild each made a statement and answered questions.

At 10:58 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Andrea Mugny

Clerk of the Committee