Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on Oct. 19th, 2006

[Christine Cram]

No.

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Why?

[Christine Cram]

This is a guide for the program that deals with eligibility, but there is no management system, or framework for management control in that document. That's why it is necessary to do more work in this area and update this guide.

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Merci.

That was short, wasn't it?

[The Chair, Conservative, Colin Mayes]

Yes, very good.

On behalf of the committee, I want to thank the department and the witnesses for a great presentation and great answers. It's obvious to me, and I'm encouraged by the fact, that you are so fluid in what you're doing and are adjusting to the needs of the department and the aboriginal people. I really appreciate it. Thank you very much.

[Christine Cram]

Merci beaucoup. Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Colin Mayes]

Committee, I'm going to suspend for two minutes so that you can freshen up.

[The Chair, Conservative, Colin Mayes]

Committee, we set some time aside in this meeting to deal with the notice of motion from Madam Neville that is before you.

Madam Neville, do you have something to say?

[Anita Neville, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. That was a very long two minutes, if I might comment.

I appreciate having the opportunity to move the motion that's in the notice of motion before you. It is a notice of motion that, as you see, is asking the government to pledge its support for the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. I'm asking that it be adopted as a report of this committee and that you present the report to the House.

I know that all members of the committee are—and I don't want to belabour the discussion—aware of the resolution. I know all members of the committee are aware of its importance to all aboriginal communities in the country.

I have before me a news release that was sent out yesterday, I think, by the AFN, the ITK, and the Métis National Council indicating the support of all indigenous peoples for the early adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. I'm not going to go into the merits of it. If it's necessary in the debate to do so, I will be pleased to. I just want to reaffirm that this is an aspirational declaration; it is not a binding declaration. It is an aspirational declaration worldwide, to improve the living conditions and to ensure the rights of indigenous peoples throughout the world.

As you are aware, Mr. Chair, in the vote taken at the UN Human Rights Council, Canada and Russia were the only two countries that voted against this declaration. Given their 20 years of work on behalf of the Government of Canada, I believe it was an insult to all those involved in the developing of it, and we're asking the government to reconsider its position as the matter goes forward to the General Assembly.

I'll conclude there.

[The Chair, Conservative, Colin Mayes]

Is there any opening discussion?

Mr. Bruinooge.

[Rod Bruinooge, Conservative, Winnipeg South, MB]

I guess my initial comment would be that I feel this motion has changed substantively since it was first brought up. In light of the fact that I'm really seeing this for the first time with its changes, I feel it requires the 48-hour notice that is incumbent upon this committee under all the rules we're following.

It would be my recommendation that once the 48 hours have been met, this committee could then proceed with further discussion on it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Colin Mayes]

I'm going to let Madam Neville respond to that.

[Anita Neville, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Mr. Chairman, this motion has not changed substantively. The clerk asked if he could change the wording from “mandating it” to “pledging its support” to make it more compatible with parliamentary procedure, and I agreed. This was done at the instigation of the clerk, not me, and members have had an opportunity to look at this for some time.

The intent has been clear. The clerk wanted to ensure that it was consistent with all procedures in the House of Commons, and I agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Colin Mayes]

Mr. Bruinooge.

[Rod Bruinooge, Conservative, Winnipeg South, MB]

Mr. Chair, going from “adopt” to “recommend”—I believe that is what she's talking about in terms of having it be a mandated position for government versus recommending it—I feel is substantive. As such, I believe it is entirely incumbent upon us to have the 48-hour notice be put in place.

[The Chair, Conservative, Colin Mayes]

It's the obligation of the chair to make a decision on this.

I believe the intent and the substance of the motion haven't been altered by the minor changes in the wording. So I'll let the discussion continue.

I'll turn to Mrs. Crowder.

[Jean Crowder, NDP, Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC]

Thanks, Mr. Chair.

I want to speak in support of this motion. I think it's an important statement for Canada to make. The draft declaration for indigenous peoples was 20 years in the making.

[Gary Merasty, Liberal, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK]

On a point of order, the House has been cleared, they think, of fire, but there is no news yet. Do not head over to the centre block. I just got that.

[Rod Bruinooge, Conservative, Winnipeg South, MB]

Mr. Chair, I think we should immediately cancel the meeting. I believe that we should probably take a look into this, seriously. Where is the fire?

[Anita Neville, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

It's not in this building. It's in the centre block.

[Gary Merasty, Liberal, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK]

They just said don't go over there. That's all.

[Rod Bruinooge, Conservative, Winnipeg South, MB]

But I'm saying, we should probably look into this. I have some staff, colleagues, I'm just saying that--who knows what the reason is for this? Everyone is just going to sit here.

[Anita Neville, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

We know what your reason is.

[Rod Bruinooge, Conservative, Winnipeg South, MB]

Oh, really, you think so?

[The Chair, Conservative, Colin Mayes]

I will ask a staff person to investigate and find out for us.

I do this as a precaution, committee, just in case it is something that is more than what we might think.

Madam Crowder, continue, please.