Evidence of meeting #57 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 39th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was witnesses.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Colin Mayes
This is the type of thing I was concerned about. It's just what Madam Neville has said. The chair will make a ruling, then, that I'm not willing to open it up for further witnesses. I can be challenged.
Liberal
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Colin Mayes
Shall the ruling of the chair be sustained?
(Ruling of the chair overturned)
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Colin Mayes
Is there further discussion on the motion as presented before we vote on it?
Liberal
Liberal
Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Then I'll speak to the motion very briefly, Mr. Chair.
We invited back representatives of government. The Assembly of First Nations and, I would argue, NWAC are impacted more than any other witness that has come before this committee and I think it is important and in fact essential. And I think if we check the blues, we made a commitment to them in their original appearance here that once all testimony was heard we would bring them back.
I also want to put on the record, Mr. Chair, that, speaking for my own party, we have no intention of blocking the movement forward of this bill. This is an important bill. We believe it is necessary to hear all of the components of it so that there are not the unintended consequences of Bill C-31. We too want to move forward with it and are acting in good faith in bringing forward this amendment.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Colin Mayes
This motion. Okay.
Mr. Bruinooge, speaking to the motion, please.
Conservative
Rod Bruinooge Conservative Winnipeg South, MB
As I began to indicate earlier, I think we have heard from a number of witnesses. Unfortunately, as we begin to call back more witnesses we set a bad precedent. I think we've heard a number of positions on our bill, and I think we have the information we need to proceed to clause-by-clause so that we can begin the very important work of extending human rights to first nations people.
So I agreed with your ruling, but at the same time I'm hopeful that the opposition now is going to be prepared to move to clause-by-clause.
I would argue that the Assembly of First Nations and NWAC as well have made very valid sentiments towards this committee. The AFN brought a very fulsome document that indicated their position quite substantively, and I think it is one of the largest submissions you received, actually, of all of the witnesses.
In my opinion, we have received the information that we require at this point, and I would argue that we need to proceed.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Colin Mayes
Okay. Is there any further discussion?
Mr. Storseth, is there anything you can add?
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
I have a question. We are speaking on the amendment now?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Colin Mayes
No, we are not. The motion as presented. Are you ready for the question?
Madam Crowder, are you going to move an amendment?
NDP
Jean Crowder NDP Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC
I move that we add “Native Women's Association” after the words “Assembly of First Nations”.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Colin Mayes
Is there any discussion on the amendment?
All those in favour of the amendment? All those opposed to the amendment—
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
A point of order, Mr. Chair. I called the point of order before the vote.
It is just a point of clarification--
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Colin Mayes
The chair didn't recognize the point of order, and I'm in the middle of a vote.
All those opposed to the amendment?
(Amendment agreed to)
Now the motion as amended.
All those in favour? Opposed?
The chair can only recognize two votes on this side.
(Motion as amended agreed to)
Is it the pleasure of the committee that we schedule for Tuesday of next week? So be it.
The meeting is adjourned.