Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Aboriginal Peoples

Issue 8 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Tuesday, October 17, 2006
(15)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met at 9:32 a.m. this day, in room 160-S Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Gerry St. Germain, P.C., presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Dyck, Gill, Hubley, Lovelace Nicholas, Peterson, Sibbeston, St. Germain, P.C., Trenholme Counsell and Watt. (9).

In attendance: From the Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament, Lisa L. Patterson.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, May 30, 2006, the committee continued its study on the nature and status of the Government of Canada's Specific Claims policy. (See Issue No. 3, Tuesday, June 13, 2006, for the full text of the Order of Reference.)

WITNESSES:

As an individual:

Wayne Nicholas, Member of Tobique First Nation.

Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs:

Debbie Abbott, Executive Director, Nlaka'Paumux Nation Tribal Council.

The Chair made opening remarks.

Mr. Nicholas made a statement and answered questions.

At 10:30 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 10:34 a.m., the committee resumed.

Ms. Abbott made a statement and answered questions.

At 11:08 a.m., the committee continued in camera.

It was agreed that staff remain.

Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee considered a draft agenda.

It was agreed that the committee cover the cost of participation of as many committee members as possible to the upcoming First Nations Socioeconomic Forum, to be held in Masteuiatsh, Quebec, October 25-27, 2006.

At 11:25 a.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Wednesday, October 18, 2006
(16)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met at 6:16 p.m. this day, in room 160-S Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Gerry St. Germain, P.C., presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Dyck, Gill, Gustafson, Hubley, Peterson, Sibbeston, St. Germain, P.C. and Watt. (8).

In attendance: From the Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament, Lisa L. Patterson.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, May 30, 2006, the committee continued its study on the nature and status of the Government of Canada's Specific Claims policy. (See Issue No. 3, Tuesday, June 13, 2006, for the full text of the Order of Reference).

WITNESSES:

Office of the Auditor General of Canada:

Sheila Fraser, Auditor General of Canada;

Ronnie Campbell, Assistant Auditor General;

Jerome Berthelette, Principal.

As a Panel:

Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations:

Chief Elaine Chicoose, Pasqua First Nation;

Jayme Benson, Director of Specific Claims.

Treaty & Aboriginal Rights Research Centre of Manitoba Inc.:

Chief Morris Shannacappo, Chairman;

Ralph Abramson, Director.

The Chair made opening remarks.

Ms. Fraser made a statement and answered questions.

The Honourable Senator Sibbeston moved:

That the committee request the Auditor General to audit the specific claims component of Department of Indian Affairs with a view to speed up settlement of claims.

After debate, with leave, Senator Sibbeston withdrew his motion.

At 7:25 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:32 p.m., the committee resumed.

Chief Chicoose, Mr. Benson, Chief Shannacappo and Mr. Abramson each made a statement and together answered questions.

At 8:30 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 8:32 p.m., the committee resumed in camera.

It was agreed that staff remain.

Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee considered a draft agenda.

It was agreed that the committee change its workplan by reducing from five to two the number of one-day fact- finding missions: one to Milbrook, Nova Scotia, on Monday, November 6, 2006, the other to a location in Quebec to be determined in consultation with the Quebec senators members of the committee, tentatively scheduled for Monday, November 27.

At 8:43 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Gaëtane Lemay

Clerk of the Committee