THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 8, 2023
(29)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples met this day at 6:46 p.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, Greenwood, Hartling, LaBoucane-Benson, Martin and Sorensen (8).

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: Briefings on Indigenous Affairs)

WITNESSES:

Assembly of First Nations:

Paul J. Prosper, Regional Chief (Nova Scotia/Newfoundland) (by videoconference).

Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba:

Loretta Ross, Treaty Commissioner;

Angela McKay, Operations Manager.

British Columbia Treaty Commission:

Celeste Haldane, Chief Commissioner;

Liseanne Forand, Commissioner;

Sashia Leung, Director of Communications and International Relations;

Mark Smith, General Counsel and Director of Process.

As an individual:

Harry Bone, Elder.

Paul J. Prosper made a statement and answered questions.

At 7:24 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:28 p.m., the committee resumed.

Loretta Ross made a statement and, together with Harry Bone, answered questions.

At 8:05 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 8:11 p.m., the committee resumed.

Celeste Haldane made a statement and, together with Liseanne Forand and Mark Smith, answered questions.

At 8:44 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Andrea Mugny

Clerk of the Committee