Evidence of meeting #74 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 regulations.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Graham Gagnon  Director, Dalhousie University, Centre for Water Resources Studies
Steve Hrudey  Former Panel Member, Expert Panel on Safe Drinking Water, As an Individual
Ernie Daykin  Director and Chair, Aboriginal Relations Committee, Metro Vancouver
Gary MacIsaac  Executive Director, Union of British Columbia Municipalities
Ralph Hildebrand  General Manager, Corporate Counsel, Corporate Services, Metro Vancouver
Dean Vicaire  Co-Chair, Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat
John Paul  Executive Director, Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat
Robert Howsam  Executive Director, Ontario First Nations Technical Services Advisory Group
Mathew Hoppe  Technical Manager, Ontario First Nations Technical Services Advisory Group

10:35 a.m.

Director and Chair, Aboriginal Relations Committee, Metro Vancouver

Ernie Daykin

No. We had the letter from the Minister, but nothing specific addressing our eight or nine points.

There was that general comment that we won't be harmed or held responsible, or that there won't be costs—but as for addressing those specific issues, no.

10:35 a.m.

Liberal

Carolyn Bennett Liberal St. Paul's, ON

I don't know, Mr. Chair, what we can do about that. As you know, when the Minister was here, we didn't really get a chance to talk to the officials. I wonder if it would be worthwhile bringing the officials back so that we can ask them directly about some of Mayor Daykin's concerns.

10:35 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin

The expectation, Ms. Bennett, is that we will invite the officials before we go to clause by clause, and also during the clause-by-clause process. So if there are questions with regards to amendments, or....

10:35 a.m.

Liberal

Carolyn Bennett Liberal St. Paul's, ON

Maybe by then, Mr. Daykin, you could suggest to the committee and to the clerk some potential amendments that would seek to remedy these uncertainties.

10:35 a.m.

Director and Chair, Aboriginal Relations Committee, Metro Vancouver

Ernie Daykin

Thank you. Yes.

10:35 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin

We'll go to Mr. Rathgeber now for the next seven minutes.

10:35 a.m.

Conservative

Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you so much for your interesting presentation.

I do have some questions because I require some clarification. You indicated, Mayor Daykin, that there are 52,000 aboriginals living in Metro Vancouver. Do you know how many of those individuals live on what are known as urban reserves?

10:35 a.m.

Director and Chair, Aboriginal Relations Committee, Metro Vancouver

Ernie Daykin

Sorry. We don't have that, but we can get that for you.

10:35 a.m.

Conservative

Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB

That's fine, but you probably can tell me how many urban reserves there are in Metro Vancouver—

10:35 a.m.

Director and Chair, Aboriginal Relations Committee, Metro Vancouver

Ernie Daykin

There would be—

10:35 a.m.

Conservative

Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB

—because I'm assuming that's what we're talking about.

Correct?

10:35 a.m.

Director and Chair, Aboriginal Relations Committee, Metro Vancouver

10:35 a.m.

Conservative

Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB

We're talking about first nations that have reserve lands inside Metro Vancouver.

10:35 a.m.

Director and Chair, Aboriginal Relations Committee, Metro Vancouver

Ernie Daykin

Yes, we're representing that position, but we're speaking.... As I said in my opening comments, it has implications throughout the province and through—

10:35 a.m.

Conservative

Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB

Sure.

Mr. MacIsaac is here for all of the municipalities.

10:35 a.m.

Director and Chair, Aboriginal Relations Committee, Metro Vancouver

Ernie Daykin

Correct, yes.

10:35 a.m.

Conservative

Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB

So do you know how many urban reserves there are in Metro Vancouver?

10:35 a.m.

Director and Chair, Aboriginal Relations Committee, Metro Vancouver

Ernie Daykin

There are, I'm going to say, 24 or 28. I don't have the number off the top of my head. I'm sorry.

10:35 a.m.

Conservative

Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB

And Tsawwassen would be included in that number.

10:35 a.m.

Director and Chair, Aboriginal Relations Committee, Metro Vancouver

Ernie Daykin

Correct, yes.

10:35 a.m.

Conservative

Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB

And it's self-governing.

10:35 a.m.

Director and Chair, Aboriginal Relations Committee, Metro Vancouver

10:35 a.m.

Conservative

Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB

So it won't be affected by Bill S-8.

10:35 a.m.

Director and Chair, Aboriginal Relations Committee, Metro Vancouver

Ernie Daykin

Yes, unless they choose to. Right.

10:35 a.m.

Conservative

Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB

And do you know—and again, this is only for my education—are there other self-governing first nations amongst those 24 or 28 urban reserves in Metro?