Evidence of meeting #67 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 agreement.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:40 a.m.
Liberal
Mike Bossio Liberal Hastings—Lennox and Addington, ON
Okay.
We need to try to approach this from a different angle.
This land isn't getting any cheaper. The longer we wait and the longer we delay it, the more expensive the final price tag is going to be. I think we need to think outside the box. Yes, we need to find legislative methods of getting there that don't cost money, but we also need to put funding there so we can make these communities whole. It's not going away.
11:40 a.m.
Director General, Specific Claims Branch, Treaties and Aboriginal Government, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Very quickly, I'll just clarify, sir, what I meant.
In claims settlement, there would be a large financial cash component so that the first nation could then go out and buy. It's not asking them to go out and buy land and then.... That's the point of the settlement in some cases.
You're right, the province can come to the table, and where there are crown lands, that can become part of the settlement. That's already part of the process.
11:45 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal MaryAnn Mihychuk
Okay, we're moving to the five-minute round.
We will start with MP Arnold Viersen.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I welcome everyone back to Ottawa. Like Romeo was saying, it's good to be back in summer. When I left home, my windshield wipers were firmly attached to my windshield. This is like Mexico.
In regard to our study, we're looking at modern treaties. I am wondering if you could elaborate on that term. It's in our motion in quotation marks.
Could you elaborate on what that term means to you?
11:45 a.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Treaties and Aboriginal Government, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Modern treaties are the continuation of the treaty process that began in the 1800s.
I mean, that's really—
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
Is it a term that you use at all or is there something...? I noticed that comprehensive land claims is not in quotation marks.
11:45 a.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Treaties and Aboriginal Government, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
No. Comprehensive land claims is the official title of the policy.
11:45 a.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Treaties and Aboriginal Government, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
As part of our policy renewal, that is something that we will be looking to change to a more appropriate name for our policy. Modern treaties is something that has come into current usage, particularly coming out of B.C.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
When we say that they are synonymous, would you agree with that assessment?
11:45 a.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Treaties and Aboriginal Government, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Yes.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
We've heard before that there's about 630-something first nations across the country. How many of those 630 are eligible for a comprehensive land claim?
11:45 a.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Treaties and Aboriginal Government, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
I don't have that specific number handy. I know that—
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
Maybe I can rephrase the question. Are first nations that are under a current numbered treaty, not a modern treaty, eligible to pursue a comprehensive land claim?
11:45 a.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Treaties and Aboriginal Government, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
The short answer is no. If land claims and other issues have been addressed by either a historic treaty or other lawful means under the policy, they're not eligible for a modern treaty.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
A comprehensive land claim, i.e. modern treaty, and perhaps self-government...then bands that are under a numbered treaty are not eligible for that kind of an agreement?
11:45 a.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Treaties and Aboriginal Government, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
They're not eligible for comprehensive claims, but they are eligible to negotiate self-government arrangements.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
Self-government is not tied to a land claim is what you're telling me.
11:45 a.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Treaties and Aboriginal Government, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
No, it's not. In the past, it was not part of a modern treaty negotiation. That changed in the early nineties and now it is considered an essential part of a modern treaty. However, you don't need to have a modern treaty process to negotiate self-government.
11:45 a.m.
Conservative
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
Would you say that most of Stephen's work would be in places that aren't under a numbered treaty?
11:45 a.m.
Director General, Specific Claims Branch, Treaties and Aboriginal Government, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
I'm sorry, but most of our work would be in places where there are numbered treaties, yes.
11:45 a.m.
Director General, Specific Claims Branch, Treaties and Aboriginal Government, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Historic treaties is what we call them.