Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Aboriginal Peoples
Issue 56 - Minutes of Proceedings - June 4, 2019 (afternoon meeting)
OTTAWA, Tuesday, June 4, 2019
(127)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples met in camera this day at 3:33 p.m., in room W110, 1 Wellington Street, the chair, the Honourable Lillian Eva Dyck, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Christmas, Coyle, Doyle, Dyck, Francis, LaBoucane- Benson, Lovelace Nicholas, MacDonald, Manning, Ngo, Pate, Patterson, Sinclair and Tannas (14).
In attendance: Brittany Collier and Marlisa Tiedemann, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, May 2, 2019, the committee continued its examination of the subject matter of those elements contained in Division 25 of Part 4 of Bill C-97, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 19, 2019 and other measures. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 54.)
It was agreed that the senators' staff be permitted to remain in the room during the in camera portion of today's meeting.
It was agreed that the committee allow the transcription of today's in camera meeting, that one copy be kept with the clerk of the committee for consultations by committee members or staff present, and that the transcription be destroyed by the clerk when authorized to do so by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, but no later than at the end of the parliamentary session.
The committee considered a draft report.
At 3:59 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 4:06 p.m., the committee resumed in public.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Monday, May 27, 2019, the committee continued its examination of Bill C-91, An Act respecting Indigenous languages. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 55.)
It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-91, An Act respecting Indigenous languages.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that the preamble stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, stand postponed.
It was agreed to group clauses for which there were no amendments identified in the road map.
The chair asked whether clause 2 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Tannas moved that Bill C-91 be amended in clause 2, on page 3, by replacing lines 24 to 26 with the following:
"(a) that represents the interests of an Indigenous group and its members;
(b) other than in section 45, that is specialized in Indigenous languages; or
(c) that delivers services to Indigenous people where they reside, including friendship centres and other Indigenous community-based organizations. (organisme autochtone)''.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted.
It was agreed that clause 2, as amended, carry.
The chair asked whether clause 3 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator McCallum moved that Bill C-91 be amended on page 4 by adding the following after line 11:
"3.1 In exercising any power, duty or function under this Act, the Minister, the Office or the Commissioner, as the case may be, must act in a manner that is consistent with the Government of Canada's commitment to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.''.
At 4:38 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:03 p.m., the committee resumed.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment that new clause 3.1 carry, it was adopted on division.
It was agreed that clause 3, as amended, carry.
It was agreed that clause 4 carry.
The chair asked whether clause 5 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Sinclair moved that Bill C-91 be amended, in clause 5, on page 4, in the French version, on line 19 with the following:
"(i) évaluer la situation de diverses langues autoch-''
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Sinclair moved that Bill C-91 be amended in clause 5, on page 5, by replacing line 9 with the following:
"(d) establish measures to ensure the provision of ad-''.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Sinclair moved that Bill C-91 be amended in clause 5, on page 5, by replacing lines 18 and 19 with the following:
"jurisdictions of Indigenous governing bodies;''.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted.
It was agreed that clause 5, as amended, carry.
The chair asked whether clause 6 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Sinclair moved that Bill C-91 be amended in clause 6, on page 5, by replacing line 33 with the following:
"Indigenous languages, including the right to communicate in the Indigenous language of their choice and the right not to be deprived of that right to communicate.''.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted on division.
It was agreed that clause 6, as amended, carry.
The chair asked whether clause 7 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Patterson moved that Bill C-91 be amended in clause 7, on page 6, with the following:
(a) by replacing line 1 with the following:
"7(1) The minister must consult with a variety of Indigenous'', and;
(b) by adding the following after line 6:
" (2) In this section, adequate and sustainable funding is determined having regard to the number of persons composing the Indigenous language population of an area, the particular characteristics of that population and the proportion of that population to the total population of that area. "
At 5:42 p.m., after debate, the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Mireille K. Aubé
Clerk of the Committee