THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 8, 2024
(84)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples met this day at 6:52 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, Boniface, Coyle, Francis, Greenwood, Martin, Prosper, Sorensen, Tannas and White (10).

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

Participating in the meeting: Sara Fryer and Antoine Csuzdi-Vallée, analysts, Library of Parliament; Jérémie Spadafora, Communications Officer, Communications Directorate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, November 30, 2023, the committee continued its examination of the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, 2021 by Canada and First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

WITNESSES:

Nishwanwbe Aski Nation:

Natalie Binguis, Director, Justice Research and Policy (by videoconference);

Michael Sherry, Legal Counsel (by videoconference).

Natalie Binguis made a statement and, together with Michael Sherry, answered questions.

At 7:45 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:48 p.m., pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, October 26, 2023, the committee continued its examination of the federal government’s constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and any other subject concerning Indigenous Peoples.

Pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to discuss a draft agenda (future business).

It was agreed that the committee allow the audio recording of the in camera portion of today's meeting, that a copy be kept with the clerk of the committee for consultation by committee members or staff, and that the audio recording 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 8:09 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 8:10 p.m., the committee resumed in public.

It was agreed that the following special study budget application (Voices of Youth Indigenous Leaders 2024), for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:

At 8:10 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Andrea Mugny

Clerk of the Committee