Evidence of meeting #2 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Jaime Battiste Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS
If I can clarify.... If you look at the original motion, you will see that after “Fisheries and Oceans Canada, first nations”, we can put “including Mi'kmaq and Maliseet”, and then you'll see the comma. It would say, “fisheries associations, scientists, indigenous knowledge holders, and interested stakeholders”.
We're only amending that to include the specificity of the Mi'kmaq and Maliseet, as well as to include indigenous knowledge holders as part of that.
I could read the whole thing for you, if everyone would like me to read it all.
Conservative
Richard Bragdon Conservative Tobique—Mactaquac, NB
Just in regard to what Mr. Battiste is proposing, in large part incorporating the amendment from Madame Gill, I believe that there is one other regional group of first nations members who have been officially recognized from this region as the Passamaquoddy people. Perhaps that needs to be taken into consideration as well, that there are Passamaquoddy.
Liberal
Jaime Battiste Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS
MP Bragdon, I just want you to clarify which community out of the Atlantic—the 35 first nations recognized in Canada—is the Passamaquoddy.
Conservative
Richard Bragdon Conservative Tobique—Mactaquac, NB
I believe it was recognized in affiliation with the Marshall decision. It confirmed the rights of the Mi'kmaq, Maliseet and Passamaquoddy. I know they're closely affiliated with the Maliseet first nations in our region, but I do believe that they were recognized under Marshall as well.
Liberal
Jaime Battiste Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS
You are correct, Mr. Bragdon. It does say Passamaquoddy. However, the Passamaquoddy—as I understand it from being in the Atlantic and being part of the Assembly of First Nations and APC—are in the United States and not Canada. They don't have a recognized community in Canada, unless you have information for me that I don't have.
Conservative
Richard Bragdon Conservative Tobique—Mactaquac, NB
No, I don't have any further information, other than that I do know it was recognized in the Marshall decision as one of the recognized groups, and I am aware of some first nations individuals who refer to themselves as Passamaquoddy.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
Mr. Battiste, am I to assume that you've made a subamendment to the amendment?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
Okay.
Nancy, can you read that out so that everybody knows what the subamendment is exactly?
The Clerk
It isn't clear to me if Ms. Gill wants to talk, or if it's a confusion with the microphone.
Bloc
Marilène Gill Bloc Manicouagan, QC
It automatically turns on then? Yes, I also want to speak. So it obeys my thoughts, as far as that's possible!
The first amendment is being distorted in relation to the Maliseet and the Mi'kmaq. My amendment must be voted on before another amendment is moved. There's no concrete, objective, clear and reliable information about what Mr. Bragdon is saying. I'd stick to the two first nations that we spoke about, but without stopping there, as we said earlier.
The English version was sent, Ms. Vohl.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
Thank you, Madame Gill. It's my understanding that we first have the vote on the subamendment made by Mr. Battiste, then on your amendment as amended, and then on the motion as amended.
Hearing no further discussion, we'll vote on the subamendment by Mr. Battiste first.
Liberal
Liberal
Jaime Battiste Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS
I'll read this slowly so that everyone can follow: “That the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans undertake a study to examine the implementation of the Mi'kmaq constitutionally protected treaty right to fish in pursuit of a moderate livelihood, in order to evaluate the current Rights and Reconciliation Agreement process and identify issues that need to be addressed and a recommended path forward; that the Committee call witnesses including senior officials from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, First Nations, including the Mi'kmaq and Maliseet, fisheries associations, scientists, indigenous knowledge holders and interested stakeholder groups to testify before the Committee; that the Chair be empowered to coordinate the necessary witnesses, resources and scheduling to complete this task; and that the Committee report its conclusions and recommendations to the House of Commons.”
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
Thank you, Mr. Battiste.
Hearing no intervention, I guess we'll go to a vote on that subamendment.