Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on Dec. 13th, 2023

[The Clerk]

It has therefore been moved by Mr. Battiste that Mr. Lemire be elected as second vice‑chair of the committee.

Is the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?

[A voice]

Yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, John Aldag]

Thank you and congratulations.

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Thank you. Meegwetch.

Thank you for your trust.

I’m looking at this new challenge both very enthusiastically and very constructively. I think our role is essential for the future of both Quebec and Canada’s relationship with First Nations.

I would also like to honour my predecessor, Ms. Marilène Gill, and her contribution to this committee.

[The Chair, Liberal, John Aldag]

Thank you.

Colleagues, our regularly scheduled time would go until 6:30. We have two hours of resources from the time that we start, which was a few minutes ago. A few people have talked to me about evening commitments, which often happen when we're on the Hill, so I'll check in at 6:30 to see where we're at and if we want to continue or end at that point.

For now, we are going to continue where we left off, and that was on NDP-5.

I don't think I had the chance, Ms. Idlout, to ask if you would like to move NDP-5. If I did, we'll just get you to do it again. I can talk for a minute until you're ready to take the floor.

If you recall, there was a CPC motion that would have not allowed this one to proceed, if I remember correctly. That one was not carried, so NDP-5 is in order.

Ms. Idlout, if you're ready to take the microphone, I'll turn it to you to move your motion and speak to it.

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Welcome to our new vice-chair, Sébastien. I look forward to working with you.

When we ended on Monday, I had started proposing NDP-5. I had guidance from the Metis Settlements General Council on the wording of it, because they wanted to make sure this bill acknowledged there are other Métis settlements or collectives in Alberta. Wording it the way they want in column 2 would help acknowledge they would still be able to do their governance work as Métis in Alberta.

[The Chair, Liberal, John Aldag]

Okay, thank you.

Does anyone want to speak to NDP-5?

Mr. Battiste, we'll go with you first.

[Jaime Battiste, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

An important part of this legislation is for the stakeholders to define for themselves who is and who isn't part of them. We've heard the officials and the technicians say that nothing in this act would bind anyone who doesn't want to be part of this.

I think it's important that we allow the stakeholders themselves to define their organizations and not have a parliamentary committee define that for them in the schedule. The stakeholders I've talked to are not in favour of any amendments to the schedule, so for that reason, the government will be voting no to any amendments on the schedule.

[The Chair, Liberal, John Aldag]

Thank you, Mr. Battiste.

Next I have Mr. Viersen and then I'll come back to Ms. Idlout.

I'm sorry, Mr. Viersen. I have to point out that we weren't able to do your sound check, which is a requirement. We'll see if it works for interpretation.

Please proceed. If I need to cut you off, it will be because of the sound check. I'll turn the floor over to you and we'll hope it works.

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

This is an approved headset and I do believe I've done the sound check before in my life, so I hope I have it set up okay.

[The Chair, Liberal, John Aldag]

We got a thumbs-up, so you're good to carry on.

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

Thank you very much.

In response to Mr. Battiste's comments, of course the people listed here would like this bill to go forward, but there other people are affected by this bill.

We are all affected by this bill regardless of how.... If he wants to say “the” stakeholders, I'll note we're all stakeholders. All Canadians are stakeholders in a bill like this, and everybody in Canada is affected by this bill.

I know that he thinks we shouldn't change it, but I would like to hear from our officials. In column 2, is the “Métis Nation within Alberta” meant to be a comprehensive, final group or is there potential for other Métis governments to be recognized in the future?

[The Chair, Liberal, John Aldag]

Thank you, Mr. Viersen.

I neglected to welcome our officials back to the table. Welcome.

I'll turn it over to you, if you'd like to respond to Mr. Viersen's question.

[Michael Schintz]

Mr. Viersen, we have given an answer to this question several times. There's nothing about the way this bill is structured that will impose a governance system on another Métis government.

The entities we're speaking of in this bill and that we're proposing to recognize in it are well-defined entities with their own citizens. This is a bill about governance over their citizens.

We have nothing further to add.

[The Chair, Liberal, John Aldag]

Thank you.

Ms. Idlout, you're next on my list.

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

Mr. Chair, I'm not finished yet.

[The Chair, Liberal, John Aldag]

Can I come back to you?

You posed a question; the officials answered. I'm just going through my list. I'll put you back on after Ms. Idlout.

I have you next on my list, Mr. Viersen.

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

That's a novel way of doing it, but sure.

[The Chair, Liberal, John Aldag]

Please proceed, Ms. Idlout.

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Qujannamiik.

Just to respond to Jaime, I'll remind everyone that the Metis Settlements General Council was not consulted on this bill.

I'm not saying this says who has citizenship or anything like that. It's just an acknowledgement that when it comes to column 2, “Métis nation within Alberta” isn't the only Métis collective in Alberta.

That's why my amendment tries to address it. In no way is my amendment making any changes to how membership would be defined, used or measured. It would just clearly outline that there is more than one Métis nation in Alberta.

[The Chair, Liberal, John Aldag]

Thank you, Ms. Idlout.

Mr. Viersen, we'll go back to you.

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

With all due respect, Mr. Schintz, the point of my questioning these things is that Canadians from across the country are watching and it isn't clear to me that this bill doesn't affect Métis people who are not represented by the Métis Nation of Alberta.

[Jaime Battiste, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, John Aldag]

Just one second, Mr. Viersen.

We're going to a point of order.

[Jaime Battiste, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

The question was asked. It was answered. This is just repetition, so what is the relevance of it? Is there a new question?