Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Aboriginal Peoples
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, February 24, 2009
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met this day at 10:15 a.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, for the purpose of holding its organization meeting, pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Brazeau, Campbell, Carstairs, P.C., Fairbairn, P.C., Lang, Munson, Peterson, Raine, St. Germain, P.C. and Sibbeston (10).
In attendance: Tonina Simeone and Karin Phillips, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 88, the clerk of the committee presided over the election of the chair.
The Honourable Senator Carstairs moved that the Honourable Senator St. Germain do take the chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The clerk invited Senator St. Germain to take the chair.
The Honourable Senator Carstairs moved that the Honourable Senator Sibbeston be deputy chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Lang moved:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the chair, the deputy chair, and one other member of the committee, to be designated after the usual consultation; and
That the subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses, and to schedule hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Carstairs moved:
That the committee print its proceedings; and
That the chair be authorized to set the number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Peterson moved:
That pursuant to rule 89, the chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive and authorize the printing of the evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that a member of the committee from both the government and the opposition be present.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Carstairs moved:
That the committee adopt the draft first report, prepared in accordance with rule 104.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Raine moved:
That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign analysts to the committee;
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to retain the services of such experts as may be required by the work of the committee; and
That the chair, on behalf of the committee, direct the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses, summaries, and draft reports.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Peterson moved:
That, pursuant to section 7, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, authority to commit funds be conferred individually on the chair, the deputy chair, and the clerk of the committee;
That, pursuant to section 8, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, authority for certifying accounts payable by the committee be conferred individually on the chair, the deputy chair, and the clerk of the committee; and
That, notwithstanding the foregoing, in cases related to consultants and personnel services, the authority to commit funds and certify accounts be conferred jointly on the chair and deputy chair.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Brazeau moved:
That the committee empower the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure to designate, as required, one or more members of the committee and/or such staff as may be necessary to travel on assignment on behalf of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Sibbeston moved:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to:
1) determine whether any member of the committee is on ``official business'' for the purposes of paragraph 8(3)(a) of the Senators Attendance Policy, published in the Journals of the Senate on Wednesday, June 3, 1998; and
2) consider any member of the committee to be on ``official business'' if that member is: (a) attending an event or meeting related to the work of the committee; or (b) making a presentation related to the work of the committee; and
That the subcommittee report at the earliest opportunity any decisions taken with respect to the designation of members of the committee travelling on committee business.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Carstairs moved:
That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness expenses, the committee may reimburse reasonable traveling and living expenses for one witness from any one organization and payment will take place upon application, but that the chair be authorized to approve expenses for a second witness should there be exceptional circumstances.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Lang moved:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to allow coverage by electronic media of the committee's public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings, at its discretion.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The chair informed the committee that the regular time slots for its meetings are Tuesday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and Wednesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
At 10:30 a.m., the committee considered its agenda (future business).
At 10:50 a.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, March 3, 2009
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met this day at 10:01 a.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Gerry St. Germain, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Brazeau, Brown, Dyck, Hubley, Lang, Peterson, Raine, St. Germain, P.C. and Sibbeston (9).
In attendance: Tonina Simeone, and Karin Phillips, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, February 25, 2009, the committee began its consideration of the federal government's constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples and on other matters generally relating to the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada.
WITNESSES:
Statistics Canada:
Jane Badets, Director, Social and Aboriginal Statistics;
Cathy Connors, Assistant Director, Social and Aboriginal Statistics.
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada:
Éric Guimond, Senior Research Manager;
Andrew Beynon, Director General, Research Branch.
Ms. Badets, along with Mr. Guimond, made statements and, together with Ms. Connors and Mr. Beynon, responded to questions.
At 11:25 a.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 4, 2009
(3)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met this day at 6:35 p.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable Senator St. Germain, P.C., presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Brazeau, Dyck, Lang, Lovelace Nicholas, Peterson, Raine, St. Germain, P.C. and Sibbeston (8).
In attendance: Tonina Simeone, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, February 25, 2009, the committee continued its consideration of the federal government's constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples and on other matters generally relating to the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada.
WITNESSES:
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada:
Daniel Watson, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy and Strategic Direction;
Christine Cram, Assistant Deputy Minister, Education and Social Development Programs and Partnerships;
Fred Caron, Assistant Deputy Minister, Office of the Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians;
Danielle Labonté, Director General, Northern Strategic Policy Branch; and
Christopher Duschenes, Executive Director, Inuit Relations Secretariat.
Mr. Watson and Ms Labonté made statements and, together with Ms Cram and Mr. Caron, responded to questions.
At 8:25 p.m. the committee suspended.
At 8:26 p.m. the committee resumed.
The Honourable Senator Peterson moved:
That the following special study budget application (federal government's responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples and on other matters generally relating to the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada) be approved for submission to the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
Professional and Other Services $4,500 Transportation and Communications 0 All Other Services 200 Total: $ 4,700
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 8:30 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Marcy Zlotnick
Clerk of the Committee