Evidence of meeting #2 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was system.
A video is available from Parliament.
Chief, Norway House Cree Nation
This bill originated from ourselves. No one from government approached me to ask what I thought about it. It came from ourselves.
In response to your question whether we would support this if that provision were still in there, I would support it because if the bill is not passed that provision is still there.
Liberal
Carolyn Bennett Liberal St. Paul's, ON
My question, Chief, was whether you would support the bill if that provision were taken out.
Chief, Norway House Cree Nation
Do you mean the provision about the minister's powers? As long as there's something in there that deals with the concern of why it's in there.
I would say to the representatives here that we shouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater. There are more good things in there than the concerns that have been expressed here.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Thank you.
Chief Fontaine, you'll have to keep it short. There is another committee coming into this room shortly.
I'll turn it over to you for just a short submission.
Sagkeeng First Nation
I don't know if it's all overarching powers that they have; I don't know if they will have more than they have now.
For example, Chief Woodhouse in our community back home in Manitoba went through an appeal for $20. He lent somebody $20.
In our two-year process right now we have a six-week campaign period. What does the chief do, crawl under a rock for six weeks? Somebody has to govern the community for six weeks. There's business that has to be done and then we come in contact with people. If you lend somebody $20 during that period, it's an appeal. There are dangers around that six-week period. Does the minister have more overarching powers right now? It would be the same, I would think.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Thank you, Mr. Paul.
Chiefs, we appreciate your contribution today. We certainly thank you for coming and being willing to testify.
I'm going to recognize Ms. Crowder, who is moving a motion that has been circulated to all members.
NDP
Jean Crowder NDP Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to move the following motion:That the evidence and documentation received by the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development during the First Session of the 41st Parliament in relation to its study of Land-Use and Sustainable Economic Development be taken into consideration by the Committee in the current session.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
I'm not seeing anyone who wants to speak to this.
(Motion agreed to)
Thank you so much.
Again, Mr. Paul and chiefs, thank you so much for being here.
The meeting is adjourned.