Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Aboriginal Peoples

Issue 15 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Wednesday, April 25, 2007
(32)

[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, Hubley, Lovelace Nicholas, Peterson and St. Germain, P.C., (6).

In attendance: From the Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament: Mary C. Hurley and Tonina Simeone.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, December 13, 2006, the committee continued its consideration of Bill S-216, providing for the Crown's recognition of self-governing First Nations of Canada. (See Issue No. 13, Tuesday, February 27, 2007, for the full text of the Order of Reference.)

WITNESSES:

As individuals:

Jerome Slavik, Lawyer and Negotiator, Partner, Ackroyd, Piasta, Roth & Day LLP;

Bradford W. Morse, Professor, Faculty of Law, Common Law Section, Ottawa University.

The Chair made opening remarks.

Jerome Slavik made a statement and answered questions.

At 7:14 p.m. the committee suspended.

At 7:17 p.m. the committee resumed.

Bradford W. Morse made a statement and answered questions.

The committee considered a draft budget application for its legislative work for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008.

The Honourable Senator Peterson moved that the following budget application for legislation be approved for submission to the committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:

Professional and Other Services	$7,800
Transportation and Communications	—
All Other Expenditures	1,000
TOTAL	$8,800

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

At 7:45 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 2, 2007
(33)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met at 6:15 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 Hubley, Peterson, St. Germain, P.C. and Watt (4).

In attendance: From the Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament, Tonina Simeone.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, March 29, the committee began its study on the recent work completed in relation to drinking water in First Nations' communities.

WITNESSES:

Office of the Auditor General of Canada:

Ron C. Thompson, Interim Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development;

Ronald Campbell, Assistant Auditor General;

Jerome Berthelette, Principal;

André Côté, Director.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada:

Christine Cram, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Socio-economic Policy and Regional Operations Sector;

Marc Brooks, Director General, Community Development Branch.

The Chair made opening remarks.

Ron C. Thompson made a statement and together with Ronald Campbell, Jerome Berthelette and André Côté, answered questions.

At 7:05 p.m. The committee suspended.

At 7:08 p.m. The committee resumed.

Christine Cram made a statement and with Marc Brooks answered questions.

At 8:01 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Josée Thérien

Clerk of the Committee