Evidence of meeting #102 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was undrip.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Canada Research Chair in Global Indigenous Rights and Politics, University of British Columbia, As an Individual
At the risk of repeating myself again, I think the most concrete deliverables to come next could be a national action plan, a reporting mechanism, and a review of future laws and policies.
Member, National Indigenous Economic Development Board
Ditto. That's exactly right.
Executive Director, 4Rs Youth Movement
I agree, but I would also challenge committee members to think about what the implementation of UNDRIP would actually look like to this committee. I think about this work in terms of fractals, and if we can't change ourselves, then how are we possibly going to change a country? That might be something to sit with as a committee, to think about how you can implement UNDRIP in what you're doing and in how you do this work.
Liberal
William Amos Liberal Pontiac, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you to member Harvey for the time.
Thank you to your witnesses. I know it really takes a lot of work to prepare for these sessions and that it's a bit of pressure, so it's very much appreciated. Thank you for all of the work you've done on this issue and for the many years of advocacy and academic work. This is foundational. I hope you feel as though your work is really being validated, because, at the end of the day, Parliament is responding to the leadership of member Saganash.
To get to my question, I do appreciate the reticence and the preoccupations that some witnesses have articulated because there's significant uncertainty, but what does this really mean? On another committee that both member Bossio and I sit on, we're working through Bill C-69, which will have significant repercussions for all of Canada, including indigenous peoples. It's important that our government get this bill right, and it's important that UNDRIP be reflected.
What in your estimation would this bill do to inform the development and legislative passage of a bill like Bill C-69, beyond just incorporating into its the preamble, for example, the point that the bill fully respects and demonstrates a commitment to UNDRIP? The rubber does have to hit the road at a certain point. What is the actual impact?
I'll put that one to Ms. Lightfoot first, and then to Ms. Stinson Henry, and Ms. Bolduc if there's time.
Canada Research Chair in Global Indigenous Rights and Politics, University of British Columbia, As an Individual
For the witnesses, could you just refresh us on Bill C-69?
Liberal
William Amos Liberal Pontiac, QC
Bill C-69 is the legislation proposed to enact a new Canadian impact assessment act, and to create a Canada energy regulator.
Canada Research Chair in Global Indigenous Rights and Politics, University of British Columbia, As an Individual
The impact assessment topic is related to free, prior, and informed consent, of course. When looking at any sort of new impact assessment act, the framework of free, prior, and informed consent as we understand it—and again, the UN can provide some guidance on this—is a good framework to begin putting into all the legislation a collaborative design and consultation process to get consent as much as possible.
Member, National Indigenous Economic Development Board
Bill C-262 does provide the legislative framework to implement the declaration, and it sets out the principles. UNDRIP is such a great document, and the bill supports it. Our board supports both, of course.
I don't know if that answers your question, but the framework is there and the work has to be done. In my view, if you try to mix two bills—Bill C-69, and I think there's a Bill C-332 out there, speaking to the finance side of things and amending the corporations act—and start to mix these things up, we'll just be spinning our wheels and won't get Bill C-262 through.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal MaryAnn Mihychuk
Thank you. We've run out of time. I've given a couple more minutes, so we could have a wholesome discussion.
I'm sorry to cut your time short, Will, but we've come to the end of the session.
Thank you very much for travelling here to Ottawa. Meegwetch, and safe travels home.
The meeting is adjourned.
