Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on May 8th, 2018

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

I call the meeting to order.

We are here at the indigenous and northern affairs committee. We are at the conclusion of studying a bill that relates to the United Nations declaration. It's Bill C-262, an act to ensure that the laws of Canada are in harmony with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Before we start, we always recognize the fact that we are on the unceded territory of the Algonquin people. It's particularly important because Canada, and all Canadians really, have started to talk, finally, in earnestness about the truth of our history and moving forward on reconciliation.

To that end, we have important work to do on this private member's bill.

Are we ready to go to clause-by-clause?

Pursuant to Standing Order 75(1), the consideration of clause 1, the short title, and the preamble is postponed until the chair calls clause 2.

Shall clause 2 carry?

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

I'd like to have recorded votes for each, please.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Okay. Do you want them on division or recorded?

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Let's do on division.

(Clauses 2 to 6 agreed to on division sequentially)

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Shall the short title carry?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Shall the schedule carry?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Shall the preamble carry?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[An hon. member]

On division.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Shall the title carry?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[An hon. member]

On division.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Shall the bill carry?

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Madam Chair, I will be asking for a recorded vote on this one.

As you know, throughout the testimony from various witnesses we consistently asked for things like a definition of “consent”. I still do not believe that we are comfortable with what “consent” means. I still believe there are significant issues especially around something like article 19, in terms of laws of general application, and how you will actually determine the vast array of people whom the government will need to move forward with, in terms of that conversation. I believe the government is setting itself up to fetter its ability to move forward in terms of general laws of application.

I want to say right upfront supporting the UN declaration is a very different issue from supporting Bill C-262. We see those as two separate things. Until we have these important questions answered, we are not comfortable with Bill C-262.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Very good. We'll call for a recorded vote.

(Bill C-262 agreed to: yeas 6; nays 3)

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Shall the chair report the bill to the House?

[An hon. member]

On division.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

And that's it. We're adjourned—and such a beautiful day.