Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on Sept. 29th, 2011

[Greg Rickford, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

Just for the benefit of the critic, first of all, thank you for the consensus we were able to work out here. I do admit that I went a little overboard in laying out the third and fourth rounds just in case we have a scenario where we have two-hour witnesses.

I just want to point out to the critic that uniquely under this format, the official opposition in the first two rounds has an opportunity for each committee member to actually speak to a witness. The third party is identified as having a place in those first two rounds. We have six members on this side and not all six members will be able to participate in the first two rounds. So I feel comfortable with the rationale behind that and I have no further comments with respect to this.

[The Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

Ms. Duncan.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Depending on the witness that you have, my experience is that we often don't go beyond the first round, and we're lucky if we get to the second round. So I think that's fair. As for a fourth round, I wouldn't hold our breath.

[The Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

Having no additional speakers on the speaking list, I think we'll move to a vote.

[Carolyn Bennett, Liberal, St. Paul's, ON]

I don't think you can have it by consensus. Consensus does not mean unanimity.

[The Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

Okay, I think then we're passing this on division.

(Motion agreed to on division [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Committee members, we have now completed the routine motions and I do appreciate your efforts in getting through them.

For the committee members who are all here, my suggestion is that we move into a subcommittee at this point in time, if there's a willingness or a consensus to do that.

Mr. Rickford.

[Greg Rickford, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

Mr. Chair, thank you.

Before we move to subcommittee, there are two notices of motion that I think, if I'm not mistaken, should occupy a little bit more of the plenary business, or am I...?

[The Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

Yes. If members want to move their motions, they are free to do so at whatever point in time they feel there has been 48 hours' notice. There has been the 48 hours' notice on both of them, so committee members are free to move those at any point in time.

Mr. Rickford.

[Greg Rickford, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

Is it the pleasure of the two committee members who tabled these motions that have lived for 48 hours to discuss them at this committee?

[The Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

That is completely in the bailiwick of those members. I think there's time if committee members do want to move their motion.

Mr. Clarke, the floor is yours.

[Rob Clarke, Conservative, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

First of all, I'll read the motion: That the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development consider a resolution to recognize the important contributions of Aboriginal men and women whose support was pivotal to the British Crown (and subsequently Canada) in the War of 1812; and that a report on the resolution be presented to the House for concurrence and unanimous consent.

Colleagues, last year I was speaking with the Dakota first nations chief and I got quite an education in regard to the formation of Canada and the first nations' contribution, especially the Dakota first nations from Saskatchewan. They participated quite significantly from 1812 to 1815.

In further discussions with other first nations communities from Ontario and Quebec, it was clear that first nations' contributions had been quite significant. I feel it's prudent to be inclusive of the first nations' contributions and the aboriginals and the Métis in the formation of Canada and their contributions to the War of 1812.

I should make sure that I'm very clear here: The war took place from 1812 to 1815 and many of the battles took place with the British troops that were already stationed here in Canada. The war officially ended in 1815 with the Treaty of Ghent being signed. So I'm just hoping today that with the consent of my colleagues, we can pass this motion.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

Mr. Rafferty.

[John Rafferty, NDP, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

I have a question of semantics. For aboriginal men and women, I wonder if instead of “aboriginal”, might we say “first nations and Métis”?

It's simply a suggestion, Rob.

[The Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

Ms. Bennett.

[Carolyn Bennett, Liberal, St. Paul's, ON]

Yes, I think it's an excellent idea on paper. Whether you go to Amherstburg near Windsor, or these places, the War of 1812 display museum would fit in there.

I'd be concerned that there are not really the resources. If we pass this, I think we should also be pushing for there to be something during the year, with some sort of event or some resources to some of the museums that had particularly documented the important view of the first nations.

So I'd be more than happy to pass this, but I would also ask my colleagues if, between the department and the Department of Canadian Heritage, whether there would be an opportunity for us to push a little for some tangible celebration of their role as they're planning the ceremonies.

[The Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

Ms. Duncan.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

I don't have any particular objection. In fact, I had a request from the filmmaker who was apparently working with first nations on a film honouring exactly this role. I probably should forward it to the parliamentary secretary to the minister, because he might be interested.

I have a hard time agreeing to a motion when I have no idea what the report says. I'd feel more comfortable if I could see what the report says that I'm going to give consent to.

[The Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

Mr. Rickford.

[Greg Rickford, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

Thank you.

I appreciate the interventions of my colleagues across the table.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

[Inaudible--Editor]...reporting the resolution.

[Greg Rickford, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

I'll let my colleague, Rob, speak to that.

I'll simply talk to John's suggestion very briefly. It's an excellent point. We were sharing a grin here, simply because we had gone through the exercise of considering that language.

Speaking on behalf of the department, John, the interplay between Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and Canadian Heritage on this was that the roll-out from the government will use that language as a model of consistency and that it would be inclusive.

[John Rafferty, NDP, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Through the model of aboriginal consistency.

[Greg Rickford, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

Yes, rather than the specificities of the thing.

So it has been discussed and I had said to my colleague here that, tabled as such, it would probably bring up this kind of discussion. I'm simply making a point that this was the term that was going to be used as part of the government's roll-out and that it's consistent with the renaming of the department.

[The Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

Mr. Clarke.

[Rob Clarke, Conservative, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thanks to my colleague, Dr. Bennett, for her question.

There has been a lot of thought and detail just in the forthcoming roll-out to be inclusive of first nations. There has been money set aside to aboriginals for their participation in the War of 1812. So from coast-to-coast-to-coast there is going to be allocated funding for their participation as well.

I hope I can answer your question in regard to the report. It is just the reporting of the resolution and then there is a report back to the House in regard to this resolution.