Evidence of meeting #70 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was indian.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Stella Ambler Conservative Mississauga South, ON
Is it not a good idea to make that change and have the revenues go directly to the band?
Conservative
Professor of Law (retired), As an Individual
In a sense it is, but it's dangerous to.... I haven't looked into the details of that particular question. I simply suggest that one ought to be very cautious about the merits of trying to engage in amending things in respect to the financial relationships between bands today and the minister without having an overall look at the implications for other parts of the act and the operations of other related legislation, for example. There is all kinds of legislation.
Conservative
Stella Ambler Conservative Mississauga South, ON
I'm looking at it more as a respect issue. We don't need to be collecting the fees on behalf of.... That's why I say—
Professor of Law (retired), As an Individual
That principle is a sound one, yes.
Conservative
Stella Ambler Conservative Mississauga South, ON
You used the word “archaic” in your presentation, and some have used the word “paternalistic”. Do you believe that as a whole Mr. Clarke's measures would contribute to a less paternalistic relationship between the government and first nations?
Professor of Law (retired), As an Individual
Different people use the word “paternalistic” to mean different things. I'm not a social scientist. I know the word “paternalism” is used a lot by people in history, education, and sociology. I'm not quite sure what they mean. I'm a father and a grandfather and I view paternalism as a wonderful thing.
Professor of Law (retired), As an Individual
But there are other senses in which people use that term, and certainly the idea of looking after—
Conservative
Stella Ambler Conservative Mississauga South, ON
I think they use it in this context to mean condescending.
Professor of Law (retired), As an Individual
Yes, but I thought I was quite clear and forceful in my opening remarks in suggesting that the person who knows best what is good for you is you. That applies to first nations. First nations know best what is best for the interests of first nations, not people in Ottawa, with respect.
Conservative
Stella Ambler Conservative Mississauga South, ON
Right.
May I ask finally whether you personally have been in touch with Mr. Clarke's office to offer input on the bill?
Conservative
Stella Ambler Conservative Mississauga South, ON
Can you give us a couple of specific examples of what you told him you would like to see incorporated in the bill?
Professor of Law (retired), As an Individual
Yes, I suggested what I did today—some of them, not all of them. I can say—and I thank Mr. David for his very kind communications and assistance—that we had good discussions by telephone, and he said that in some particular instances he had received comments substantially similar to mine and that Mr. Clarke, as I understood the matter, was prepared to consider those amendments at committee stage.
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Thank you so much.
We want to thank Chief Bellegarde for joining us today. We also want to thank Mr. Chartrand for being with us today.
Thanks so much for joining us.
Colleagues, we will now adjourn the meeting. Those of you who are on the subcommittee know that we will be remaining here for the next hour for a subcommittee meeting.
The meeting is adjourned.