Evidence of meeting #1 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bob Bratina
Okay.
Will we take submissions for further motions now or shall we discuss that motion?
NDP
Rachel Blaney NDP North Island—Powell River, BC
On a point of order, Chair, just as a newer stepping-in member, I'm wondering about the process.
In other committees that I've been on, I understood that this might be a general conversation, but then it would go to the subcommittee, and the subcommittee would come back with recommendations for the whole committee. I'm just wondering if that's going to be the process today and if we're just going to have general discussions or if we're going to allow the subcommittee to do its work and then vote on that when the subcommittee has done its work.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bob Bratina
You're quite right. Thanks for reminding me. We've been away from this for a long time.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bob Bratina
Once again, Mr. Battiste, you have a motion that you'd like to bring forward.
Liberal
Jaime Battiste Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS
Yes. I do agree with COVID being top of mind in terms of priorities that we need to look at for indigenous communities across Canada.
One of the most disheartening things that we've been seeing across Canada over the past few months is more heightened acts of racism and discrimination. It's really disheartening to talk about, but I think it's important. One of the things that Nelson Mandela once said was that education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.
We talked about treaty commissions when we met in the previous government with this committee. I'd like to put back on the table that we really need to look at treaty commissions. There is some great work going on across several provinces on anti-racism by creating awareness and creating the premise that we're all in this together and that we're all treaty people. These are things that are going on in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Nova Scotia.
I'd really like to introduce a motion:
That pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), and given the evolving roles and responsibilities of Treaty Commissions across the provinces, that the committee undertake a study on how Treaty Commissions be utilized to educate and create awareness of the Indigenous history and rights in Canada; that the new national treaty commissioner’s office be designed and established with Indigenous partners with the goals of creating rights awareness, supporting reconciliation efforts and implementing indigenous rights in Canada; that the witness list include representatives from Treaty Commissions in Manitoba, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan, rights holders, academics, and officials from the Ministry of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs; and that the committee report its findings to the House.
I think that would be a good starting point for discussion after we talk about COVID. These are consistent with what's being suggested in the calls to action, both for the missing and murdered indigenous women as well as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
I think it's consistent with what our government needs to look at in ensuring that we're taking the proper steps towards reconciliation.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bob Bratina
Thank you, Mr. Battiste.
Next we have Ms. Zann, Mr. Powlowski, Mr. Viersen, Ms. McLeod and Mr. Melillo.
Lenore, please go ahead.
Liberal
Lenore Zann Liberal Cumberland—Colchester, NS
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
First of all, I want to say thank you to my colleagues.
Both of those studies sound really interesting. At this particular time in our history, I think we're at a tipping point where we need to do more to change the way things have always been and to be able to treat first nations, indigenous, Inuit and Métis people with more respect. We have to really get to the bottom of how we change systemic racism in Canada to make life better for all indigenous peoples.
On that note, I have a motion I'd like to make regarding a study. It is regarding the quality of health care for indigenous peoples and the impacts of systemic racism on access to equality of that health care.
I move:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of the role of the federal government in ensuring quality access to healthcare for Indigenous Peoples in Canada and the impacts of systemic racism on both the access to and quality of healthcare for First Nations, Inuit and Métis; that the committee include the testimony of Indigenous Peoples living on reserve, off reserve and in urban centers, as well as local Indigenous and non-Indigenous health providers; that the committee take into consideration the testimony of Indigenous physicians and patients; that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.
In closing, regarding that motion, we've been seeing too much in the news lately of how our indigenous people are treated. Sometimes, it is to the point where they are not receiving the proper treatment, and it has ended in death. I'm sure some of the cases that have been captured on video are just a drop in the barrel. There are many more. We need to really do our due diligence in making sure that this practice stops and that we look after everybody.
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
I have a point of order, Chair. I am not totally clear.
Right now, of course, there was that ambiguity around notices of motions and whether they can be received. We're not debating these motions. I would presume that what we're doing right now is receiving these notices of motions in a formal way, some that might have been submitted before and some perhaps that have not been submitted. Is that accurate? I note we are not debating the motions. I wasn't sure if they were appropriately received by the committee.
Can you clarify for me? We are just receiving a number of notices of motions, currently.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bob Bratina
You correctly figured that out because we're discussing motions that we'll put on notice. We will have to deal with each motion as it is moved, and then can't consider another motion until the first motion has been voted on or withdrawn.
I'll let the speakers go on, in the sense that this is a general discussion on the first gathering of this committee, and then we'll move on to the more substantive matter of moving motions. Is that okay, Cathy?
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
What we're doing right now is that the committee is receiving notices of motions, Gary's and the others', and then there will come a time.... These motions are not being moved; they're being received.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bob Bratina
That's my expectation of the meeting so far today.
Ms. Zann, did you have a point of order?
Liberal
Lenore Zann Liberal Cumberland—Colchester, NS
No, I just wanted to say that these motions were already distributed. Mine was distributed.
Liberal
Marcus Powlowski Liberal Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON
We're presenting a whole list of motions or notices of motions, and there is an order here, as you may see. I agree with COVID being number one, and I agree with number two being the treaty commissioner. To add to the list, which I'm sure will be discussed, I have yet another notice of motion. This one is regarding food security in the north. Like many of you, especially those of you like Mr. Melillo who looks after fly-in communities, I like this one.
The notice of motion is:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), and given the high cost of nutritional goods and reduced access to non-perishable goods, including country and traditional foods, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food supply lines especially in fly-in remote communities, the committee undertake a study on identifying ways to improve food security in Northern and remote communities, and the impact of new and expanded programs introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic; that the witness list include representatives from Indigenous, Northern, and remote communities, nutrition experts, officials from relevant departments such as Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; and, that the committee report its findings to the House.
Thank you.
Conservative
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
Thanks, Bob.
I have a motion that I'd like to dispose of right from the get-go. It's not so much a notice of motion. In Canada, we have a robust set of human rights. We're also typically pretty polite people. We get along well with our neighbours. We recognize the value of human life. When I saw the videos that came out of Quebec in regard to Joyce Echaquan, I was horrified. Many people from northern communities in my riding were sending me the video and were expressing concern about that and saying, “Arnold you're on this committee. You should do something.”
I have a motion that I'd like to deal with right away.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bob Bratina
Arnold, in view of how we began this—and it could be my fault—I'd prefer to stay in the context of what we've done so far, rather than get to motions. That's the way I had sort of established the list of speakers and I know—
Conservative
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
Do you want me to dispose of it at the end, after we deal with this?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bob Bratina
We're going to come back to all of the motions. Having just started back after all the COVID break and all of that, I just want to hear from all the members of the committee the direction that their motions would take. Then we can, at the committee's behest, deal with them however we would like to.
Could you just put that one on hold for now?
Conservative
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
Okay. I'm sure I'll jump in if you forget about me.