Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on Oct. 5th, 2017

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Welcome, everybody.

We're going to be looking at Bill C-17, an act to amend the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act and to make a consequential amendment to another act, pursuant to the order of reference of Tuesday, June 20, 2017.

We have in front of us department officials who are here as experts if members have any questions, but they will not be presenting.

Before we begin, I wish to recognize that we're on the unceded territory of the Algonquin people, and we're in the beginning process of truth and reconciliation.

We have had a number of hearings. There is a lot of anticipation that we move the bill quickly, so let's get down to business.

I'm going to begin with clause 1. Shall clause 1 carry?

(Clause 1 agreed to on division)

Shall clause 2 carry?

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

I don't have a hard copy of the legislation.

[Mike Bossio, Liberal, Hastings—Lennox and Addington, ON]

I don't have a soft copy.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

We'll recess for five minutes.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

We're back in order.

We're going to go through clause-by-clause of Bill C-17. We have nine clauses. This bill has been reviewed and investigated. We've heard witnesses, and now we're ready to go through the bill.

We've done clause 1, on division.

We are on clause 2.

(On clause 2)

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

Madam Chair, I have a question for the officials.

I know from the witnesses there was a commitment by the government to insert language that puts some sort of definition around this. That conversation has not happened yet with YESAB and the involved parties, is that accurate, to have replacement language?

[Mark Hopkins, Director General, Natural Resources and Environment Branch, Northern Affairs, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

What's been put in place, to this point, is a process through an MOU that would be tripartite, including YTG and the collective of Yukon first nations. If signed, that would see the establishment of oversight committees, which would be the place through which discussions around such issues as reassessments would be addressed.

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

So, nothing concrete has been done. Is it accurate that we will be leaving a void in that area, until those discussions happen?

[Mark Hopkins]

The sequence is such that the amendments in question would be repealed. It is unlikely in our view that the first nations in particular would be interested and willing to sit down and entertain discussions until action has been taken on the bill. The expectation, however, is that this would be among the primary issues that would be subject to discussion by the oversight committee, which would then provide advice and guidance to the board as to how to manage, through policy, issues like the interpretation of assessments, and changes.

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

By voting for this clause, we would be leaving a void.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Are there any other questions for the specialists from the department?

Shall clause 2 carry?

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

I request a recorded vote, please.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

(Clause 2 agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

(On clause 3)

Shall clause 3 carry?

MP McLeod.

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

Madam Chair, I understand there was a commitment, but this would appear to leave a void that will need further conversation. Is that accurate?

[Mark Hopkins]

What's accurate is that there will be further conversation through the body and forum that I identified.

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

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Okay, is this on division or a recorded vote?

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

A recorded vote.

(Clause 3 agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

(Clauses 4 to 9 agreed to on division sequentially) [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Shall the title carry?

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

On division.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Shall the bill carry?

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

A recorded vote, please.

(Bill C-17 agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Shall the chair report the bill to the House?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

That's it for Bill C-17.

I want to thank everyone who participated, especially the specialists.

The committee will take a short break, and then we'll go in camera to deal with House business.

[Proceedings continue in camera]