THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 27, 2026
(32)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples met this day at 6:47 p.m., in room C128, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Michèle Audette, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Audette, Clement, Francis, Greenwood, Karetak-Lindell, McPhedran, Osler, Pate, Prosper and Sorensen (10).
Participating in the meeting: Sara Fryer and Allison Lowenger, Analysts, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the committee began its examination of 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.
WITNESSES:
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada:
Valerie Gideon, Deputy Minister;
Kirsten Miller, Director, Consultation and Accommodation Unit.
Indigenous Services Canada:
Christopher Cornish, Director General, Economic and Business Opportunities, Lands and Economic Development.
Environment and Climate Change Canada:
Alison McDermott, Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy and International Affairs Branch;
Tara Shannon, Assistant Deputy Minister, Canadian Wildlife Service;
Jacinthe David, Director General, Industrial Sectors and Chemicals Directorate.
Impacts Assessment Agency of Canada:
Regina Wright, Director General, Regional Operations (West) (by videoconference).
Canada Energy Regulator:
Genevieve Carr, Executive Vice President, Transparency and Strategic Engagement;
Carly Milne, Vice President, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.
Natural Resources Canada:
Kimberly Lavoie, Assistant Deputy Minister, Nòkwewashk.
Major Projects Office:
Candace Anderson, Director, Indigenous Relations (by videoconference).
Valerie Gideon, Christopher Cornish, Regina Wright and Alison McDermott each made a statement and, together with Tara Shannon and Kirsten Miller, answered questions.
At 7:57 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 8:02 p.m., the committee resumed.
Genevieve Carr, Kimberly Lavoie and Candace Anderson each made a statement and answered questions.
At 9 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Sébastien Payet
Clerk of the Committee