THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON ABORIGINAL PEOPLES

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Monday, May 2, 2022
(6)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met this day at 2 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, Clement, Coyle, Duncan, Francis, Lankin, P.C. and Pate (7).

Participating in the meeting: Sara Gajic, Legislative Clerk and Lori Meldrum, Administrative Assistant, 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 continued 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):

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women:

Corinne Dettmeijer-Vermeulen, Member.

Power Law:

Ryan Beaton, Lawyer.

As an individual:

Jeremy Matson.

Jeremy Matson, Corinne Dettmeijer-Vermeulen and Ryan Beaton each made a statement and answered questions.

It was agreed that, notwithstanding the motion adopted by the committee on March 21, 2022, the committee allow one staff of committee members not present to be in the room during the in camera portion of today’s meeting.

It was agreed that the committee allow the transcription of the in camera portion of today's meeting, that one copy be kept with the clerk of the committee for consultation by committee members or by the committee analysts; and that the transcript be destroyed by the clerk when authorized to do so by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, but no later than at the end of this parliamentary session

At 3:09 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 3:13 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft report.

At 3:39 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Andrea Mugny

Clerk of the Committee