THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Tuesday, December 2, 2025
(16)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples met in camera this day at 9:39 a.m., in room C128, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Michèle Audette, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Audette, Karetak-Lindell, McCallum, McPhedran, Pate and Tannas (6).

Participating in the meeting: Sara Fryer and Allison Lowenger, Analysts, Library of Parliament; Chelsea DeFazio, Communications Officer, Communications, Broadcasting and Publications Directorate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, the committee began its consideration of the subject matter of Part 4 and those elements contained in Division 35 of Part 5 of Bill C-15, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025.

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

It was agreed that the committee allow the audio recording of the in camera meeting today, that one copy be kept with the clerk of the committee for consultation by committee members or their staff, and that the audio recording be destroyed by the clerk of the committee when authorized to do so by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, but no later than at the end of this parliamentary session.

It was agreed that the chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate for the following order of reference:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples, in accordance with rule 12-7(15), be authorized to examine and report on any matters related to the duty to consult and accommodate Indigenous Peoples, which flows from the honour of the Crown derived from section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, focusing on:

(a) the needs of Indigenous Nations, specifically First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples who seek to make the duty to consult more responsive to their community needs;

(b) the identification of promising practices and ways to develop positive working relationships; and

(c) the exploration of standards to improve federal policies and practices;

That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than December 15, 2027, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report; and

That the committee be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit reports on this study with the Clerk of the Senate if the Senate is not then sitting, and that the reports be deemed to have been tabled in the Senate.

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

ATTEST:

Sébastien Payet

Clerk of the Committee