Evidence of meeting #37 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was infrastructure.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Gregor Robertson Liberal Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC
Through the chair, I am not appealing the Cowichan decision personally. The Government of Canada is appealing, alongside the Province of B.C., the City of Richmond and several first nations—
Liberal
Gregor Robertson Liberal Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC
—because of the decision that was made.
Conservative
Aaron Gunn Conservative North Island—Powell River, BC
Was part of the decision that led to the appeal not the fact that the judge ruled that aboriginal title is existing in conjunction with fee simple title on the private property of homeowners?
Liberal
Gregor Robertson Liberal Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC
Through the chair, to be very clear, I'm here to talk about the budget estimates for the housing, infrastructure and communities department—
Conservative
Aaron Gunn Conservative North Island—Powell River, BC
It's a simple question, Minister. I'm trying to get—
Liberal
Gregor Robertson Liberal Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC
—and you're talking about a legal question, which should be addressed to the Minister of Justice, first and foremost, as Canada's authority on this.
Liberal
Natilien Joseph Liberal Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC
I have a point of order, Mr. Chair. The member's comments are off topic.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Thank you.
Mr. Gunn, there is a subject matter before the committee. I give quite a bit of latitude, but could we stick to the main estimates?
Conservative
Aaron Gunn Conservative North Island—Powell River, BC
You have “build more Canadian homes” on your laptop, Minister. Do you acknowledge that the Cowichan decision has created uncertainty for homeowners in B.C.?
Liberal
Gregor Robertson Liberal Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC
Through the chair, I think the uncertainty is being whipped up by some of the members around this committee table and their party—
Conservative
Liberal
Gregor Robertson Liberal Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC
I think it is unjustified, given that there has been no conflict to date with respect to private property created by agreements with indigenous nations.
Conservative
Aaron Gunn Conservative North Island—Powell River, BC
Why are you appealing the Cowichan decision if it's not a big deal?
Liberal
Gregor Robertson Liberal Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC
Again, through the chair, I am not appealing the Cowichan decision—
Conservative
Aaron Gunn Conservative North Island—Powell River, BC
Why is your government appealing the Cowichan decision?
Liberal
Gregor Robertson Liberal Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC
The Government of Canada is appealing. You can ask the Minister of Justice if you want the rationale. It is well documented in the courts.
Conservative
Aaron Gunn Conservative North Island—Powell River, BC
Okay. That's fine. You believe that on the appeal, it doesn't really matter whether we win or lose, as far as it concerns individual homeowners. You believe there's no threat to their private property, to their title, irrespective of what happens on the appeal.
Liberal
Gregor Robertson Liberal Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC
Through the chair, we're here to talk about budget estimates for my Department of Housing and Infrastructure—
Conservative
Liberal
Gregor Robertson Liberal Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC
—and I think what is beneficial for all Canadians is clarity on the decision that was made by the B.C. Supreme Court. That is what is being sought in terms of the appeal—
Conservative
Liberal
Gregor Robertson Liberal Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC
—rather than misinformation and fearmongering, which is very—
Conservative
Aaron Gunn Conservative North Island—Powell River, BC
I asked you for clarity on whether you believed that aboriginal title should coexist with fee simple title. It would be nice to get clarity from you, Minister, about your government's position on that. I understood that this was the reason you were appealing the Cowichan ruling. On the one hand, you stand up and make—
Liberal
