THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 28, 2024
(75)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples met this day at 6:45 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, Francis, Greenwood, Hartling, Martin, McNair, Tannas and White (8).

Participating in the meeting: Sara Fryer and Antoine Csuzdi-Vallée, analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, November 30, 2023, the committee began its examination of the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, 2021 by Canada and First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples.

WITNESSES:

Department of Justice Canada:

Jean-François Fortin, Associate Deputy Minister;

Laurie Sargent, Assistant Deputy Minister, Indigenous Rights and Relations Portfolio;

Keith Smith, Director General, United Nations Declaration Act Implementation Secretariat.

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada:

Valerie Gideon, Deputy Minister;

Heather McLean, Assistant Deputy Minister, Implementation Sector.

Indigenous Services Canada:

Danielle White, Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy and Partnerships Sector (by videoconference);

Stuart Hooft, Acting Director, Registration Reform, Individual Affairs Branch.

Canadian Heritage:

Charles Slowey, Assistant Deputy Minister, Community and Identity Sector.

Valerie Gideon, Jean-François Fortin, Charles Slowey and Danielle White each made a statement and, together with Laurie Sargent, Stuart Hooft, Keith Smith and Heather McLean, answered questions.

At 8:27 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Andrea Mugny

Clerk of the Committee