THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 3, 2026
(34)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples met this day at 6:49 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, Karetak-Lindell, Osler, Pate, Sorensen and Tannas (7).
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 continued 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:
Mikisew Cree First Nation:
Billy-Joe Tuccaro, Chief (by videoconference).
Kebaowek First Nation:
Justin Roy, Councillor.
Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board:
Mark Cliffe-Phillips, Executive Director.
As individuals:
Dwight Newman, Professor and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Rights, Communities, and Constitutional Law, University of Saskatchewan (by videoconference);
Sarah Morales, Associate Dean Indigenous and Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Victoria (by videoconference).
Chief Billy-Joe Tuccaro, Justin Roy and Mark Cliffe-Phillips each made a statement and answered questions.
At 7:34 p.m., the Honourable Senator Tannas took the chair.
At 7:54 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:58 p.m., the committee resumed.
Sarah Morales and Dwight Newman each made a statement and answered questions.
At 8:16 p.m., the Honourable Senator Audette resumed the chair.
At 8:39 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Sébastien Payet
Clerk of the Committee