THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON ABORIGINAL PEOPLES

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Monday, March 28, 2022
(3)

[English]

Pursuant to the order of the Senate of November 25, 2021, the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met this day in room W110, 1 Wellington St., and with videoconference, at 2:01 p.m. ET, the chair, the Honourable Brian Francis, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Audette, Francis and Pate (3).

Members of the committee present by videoconference: The Honourable Senators Arnot, Brazeau, Christmas, Coyle, Hartling and Patterson (6).

Participating in the meeting: Daniel Charbonneau, Procedural Clerk, Marc-André Lanthier and Lori Meldrum, administrative assistants, Committees Directorate; Brittany Collier and Sara Fryer, analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, March 3, 2022, the committee began its examination on the federal government’s constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples and any other subject concerning Indigenous Peoples. (Topic: Follow up on An Act to amend the Indian Act in response to the Superior Court of Quebec decision in Descheneaux c. Canada (Procureur général))

WITNESSES (by videoconference):

Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action:

Shelagh Day, Chair, Human Rights Committee and Co-Founder.

Ontario Native Women’s Association:

Cora McGuire—Cyrette, Executive Director.

Native Women's Association of Canada:

Adam Bond, Manager of Legal Services.

As individuals:

Pamela Palmater, Chair in Indigenous Governance, Ryerson University;

Sharon McIvor;

The Honourable Lillian Eva Dyck, former senator.

Sharon McIvor, Shelagh Day and Pamela Palmater each made a statement and answered questions.

At 3:02 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 3:03 p.m., the committee resumed.

The Honourable Lillian Eva Dyck made a statement.

At 3:07 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 3:08 p.m., the committee resumed.

Cora McGuire—Cyrette and Adam Bond each made a statement and, together with the Honourable Lillian Eva Dyck, answered questions.

At 3:58 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Andrea Mugny

Clerk of the Committee