THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, December 6, 2023
(70)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples met this day at 6:48 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, Cormier, Coyle, Francis, Hartling, Martin, Patterson (Nunavut), Prosper and Sorensen (9).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senator White (1).

Participating in the meeting: Sara Fryer and Robert Mason, analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, October 26, 2023, the committee continued its examination of 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: Canadian Human Rights Framework)

WITNESSES:

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada:

Valerie Gideon, Deputy Minister;

Mary-Luisa Kapelus, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy and Strategic Direction.

Assembly of First Nations:

Joanna Bernard, Interim National Chief;

Kyrie Ransom, Director of Justice.

Métis National Council:

Cassidy Caron, President.

Valerie Gideon made a statement and, together with Mary-Luisa Kapelus, answered questions.

At 7:46 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:56 p.m., the committee resumed.

Interim National Chief Joanna Bernard and Cassidy Caron each made a statement and, together with Kyrie Ransom, answered questions.

At 8:47 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Andrea Mugny

Clerk of the Committee