THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Tuesday, May 21, 2024
(85)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples met this day at 9:01 a.m., in room C128, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Brian Francis, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Coyle, Francis, Hartling, McNair, Prosper, Tannas and White (7).

Participating in the meeting: Sara Fryer and Antoine Csuzdi-Vallée, analysts, Library of Parliament.

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:

First Nations Financial Management Board:

Harold Calla, Executive Chair.

Indian Resource Council of Canada:

Stephen Buffalo, President and Chief Executive Officer (by videoconference).

Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business:

Matthew Foss, Vice-President, Research and Public Policy (by videoconference).

Indigenous Disability Canada:

Neil Belanger, Chief Executive Officer (by videoconference).

Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association:

Marilee A. Nowgesic, Chief Executive Officer.

Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources:

Merrell-Ann Phare, Executive Director (by videoconference).

The Honourable Senator Coyle moved that notwithstanding usual practice, pursuant to rule 12-17, the committee be authorized to hold this afternoon’s meeting without a quorum if necessary for the purpose of receiving evidence, provided that two committee members are present.

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

Harold Calla, Stephen Buffalo and Matthew Foss each made a statement and answered questions.

At 9:54 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 10:02 a.m., the committee resumed.

Neil Belanger, Marilee A. Nowgesic and Merrell-Ann Phare each made a statement and answered questions.

At 10:55 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Andrea Mugny

Clerk of the Committee