Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Human Rights

Issue 6 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Monday, September 15, 2003
(14)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 11:35 a.m., in room 257, East Block, the Chair, the Honourable Senator Maheu, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Beaudoin, Ferretti Barth, Jaffer, Joyal, P.C., LaPierre and Maheu (6).

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

In attendance: Carol Hilling, Research Analyst, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

The committee resumed its study upon key legal issues affecting the subject of on-reserve matrimonial real property on the breakdown of a marriage or common law relationship and the policy context in which they are situated.

WITNESSES:

From the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs:

Sandra Ginnish, Director General, Treaties, Research, International and Gender Equality Branch;

Wendy Cornet, Special Advisor;

Kerry Kipping, Acting Director General, Land and Environment Branch;

Serge Larose, Senior Advisor, Retired Former Manager, Lands and Environment Branch.

From the National Aboriginal Women's Association:

Pam Paul, President;

Martha Montour, Legal Counsel.

From the Assembly of First Nations:

Tiffany Smith, Co-Chair of the Assembly of First Nations Youth Council, Member of the Assembly of First Nations National Executive Committee;

Marie Frawley-Henry, Director, International Affairs;

Roger Jones, Legal Counsel.

From the Indigenous Bar Association:

Nancy Sandy;

Larry Chartrand.

From the Native Women's Association of Canada:

Sherry Lewis;

Céleste McKay.

At 11:40 a.m., Ms. Ginnish, Ms. Cornet and Mr. Kipping made statements and, together with the other witness, answered questions.

At 1:25 p.m., Ms. Paul and Ms. Smith made statements and, together with the other witnesses, answered questions.

At 2:40 p.m., Ms. Lewis, Mr. Chartrand and Ms. Sandy made statements and, together with the other witness, answered questions.

The committee considered the following draft budget application:

It was moved by the Honourable Senator LaPierre — That the draft budget concerning the study on the division of on-reserve matrimonial real property in the amount of $5,500 be adopted and that the Chair presents the same to the Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

It was moved by the Honourable Senator Ferretti Barth — That in the event that the Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration approves the committee's budget concerning its study to hear witnesses with specific human rights concerns, That the Honourable Senators Beaudoin, LaPierre and Maheu as well as the Clerk of the Committee travel on a Fact Finding mission to Geneva and Strasbourg from October 10 to 18, 2003 and that their expenses be reimbursed by the committee.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

At 4 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Line Gravel

Clerk of the Committee