Evidence of meeting #59 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 41st Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site.) The winning word was public.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Is there somebody who wants to comment with regard to amendment NDP-4?
Environmental Policy Analyst, Environmental Policies and Studies, Northern Affairs, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Sure.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
We'll turn it over to you, Ms. Traynor. Go ahead, and then we'll continue with the speaking list.
Environmental Policy Analyst, Environmental Policies and Studies, Northern Affairs, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
The duty for the commission to promote public awareness is incorporated in various provisions in the bill already, under the land use planning process. This is a provision that deals with additional powers, and it's not appropriate that the duty to promote awareness and discussion be included under this particular section. Instead we've incorporated that duty in the relevant positions themselves throughout the bill.
Conservative
NDP
Jonathan Genest-Jourdain NDP Manicouagan, QC
What I particularly like about the wording of this amendment is, of course, "promote public awareness and discussion". Now, I put a lot into sociology and anthropology, so I'll say that we need concrete measures put forward to maximize popular support and participation.
I grew up at the 53rd parallel, and I'll say that this happens by having a community feast. I'll tell you, this may not seem very relevant, but on site, you will see that to promote the awareness of people in these communities, you have to provide traditional foods, and not just tea and cookies. If you want people to come out, you have to get involved in what's going on in that region, in the traditional way of life of these people. This often involves holding preparatory meetings so that people can put a face to a name, after which traditional foods are offered to everyone. You can also attend a meeting that has already been planned by the community, where there will be a buffet and food served to the entire population. At that point, you will be able to maximize community participation. Otherwise, people will see it as extrinsic, as foreign to the community, and participation will not necessarily be guaranteed.
That is all I have to say.
NDP
Jean Crowder NDP Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC
I have a point of clarification.
My understanding is that the department officials have finished as witnesses and they're here to respond to specific questions we have in the context of the amendments.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Of the amendments, that's right, yes. The questioning in terms of the debate of this is finished. I do have a speaking list now that consists of many replications of this side of the table. I think you've sought clarification. I think clarification has been brought. Is there a specific technical question with regard to the legislation?
Mr. Bevington.
NDP
Dennis Bevington NDP Western Arctic, NT
Yes, because you've pointed out that there were some things in the legislation that were going to cover this. I wanted to make sure that we understood what those were, what you felt those were, and so I'm looking at proposed section 50:
50. (1) Before holding a public hearing in respect of a draft land use plan, the Commission must make the draft public and must do so in a manner designed to promote participation in its examination by the public.
Is that the section you were referring to?
Environmental Policy Analyst, Environmental Policies and Studies, Northern Affairs, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
That and some others, yes. Proposed section 43 is another one I would point you to.
NDP
Dennis Bevington NDP Western Arctic, NT
Proposed section 43 reads:
43. The Commission must seek the opinions of affected municipalities, interested corporations and organizations, residents and other interested persons regarding specific objectives and land use planning options for the region.
Environmental Policy Analyst, Environmental Policies and Studies, Northern Affairs, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Proposed section 45 would also include the opportunity to hold a public hearing.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Thank you, Janice. That is helpful.
Not seeing anybody else on the speaking list, we'll now move to the voting on amendment NDP-4.
(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])
We're on amendment NDP-5.
I do have a ruling with regard to amendment NDP-5. My ruling is that amendment NDP-5 is inadmissible.
NDP
Jean Crowder NDP Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC
Mr. Chair, I have a point of order.
Do I get to speak to the amendment before you rule on it?
Conservative
NDP
Jean Crowder NDP Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC
I'd like to move and speak to it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
This particular amendment deals with the cost of the commission and board. We heard extensive discussion earlier, Mr. Chair. First of all, we've had testimony both from the commission and the board indicating that they don't have the funding currently in place to do their current duties. We heard from the department today that they haven't done the analysis on the incremental cost of what would now be required of the review board and the commission.
Some assurance had been provided in the fact that there is an ability to make regulation with respect to funding, but you'll forgive me, Mr. Chair, in that the history over the last several years.... This is not a partisan remark; it goes back many years. We just need to look at the land claims implementation coalition about land claims agreements negotiated a couple of decades ago, and see they still don't have adequate funding. So you'll forgive me for saying that there simply is not the level of trust, and we would like to see it included in the legislation around funding.
Now I'll allow you to rule it inadmissible.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
You anticipated my ruling, and I will be ruling this inadmissible as it places a financial prerogative on the crown, which would require a royal recommendation. Therefore, I am ruling that out of order.
Ms. Crowder, would you like to move amendment NDP-6?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Mr. Bevington, if you'd like to move amendment NDP-6, I do have a ruling.
NDP
Dennis Bevington NDP Western Arctic, NT
Mr. Chair, I move that clause 2 of Bill C-47 be amended by adding after line 44 on page 20 the following:
39.1 For greater certainty the Commission and the Board continue to be funded by an appropriation by Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Thank you, Mr. Bevington.
I do have a ruling with regard to this and the NDP-5 amendment is inadmissible as it infringes on the financial prerogative of the crown and would require again a royal recommendation.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
That was NDP-6, yes.
We're on NDP-7. Would somebody like to move NDP-7?