Evidence of meeting #128 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A video is available from Parliament.
NDP
Lori Idlout NDP Nunavut, NU
I would recommend making an amendment to G-1 to remove the last few words that say, “in accordance with this Act” so that it ends at “water”.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
We'll have to get to that amendment to do that.
We'll circle back to that in a minute.
Conservative
Eric Melillo Conservative Kenora, ON
My question is whether we can supplement something we're not on.
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
Okay. It's not going to carry. I don't think we need to do a recorded vote on that.
(Amendment negatived)
Given that BQ-2 and NDP-7 are identical, they also will not be carried.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
That will be 3.1 afterwards. We need to first vote on clause 3 before we get to NDP-8 and G-1.
Shall clause 3 as amended carry?
(Clause 3 as amended agreed to on division [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
With that, we are moving to NDP-8.
Would someone like to move NDP-8?
Ms. Idlout.
NDP
Lori Idlout NDP Nunavut, NU
Member spoke in Inuktitut, interpreted as follows:
Yes.
Referring to NDP-8, reference number 13370724, it was given to us by the Blackfoot Confederacy. The text is probably the same, but I want the international law to be included in there.
Those are my comments on that.
Thank you.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
Thank you very much, Ms. Idlout.
Would anybody else like to make an intervention related to NDP-8?
Mr. Melillo.
Conservative
Eric Melillo Conservative Kenora, ON
Mr. Chair, I think this is a discussion we just had, and we still favour G-1, so we'll be voting against this amendment.
Liberal
NDP
Lori Idlout NDP Nunavut, NU
Yes, because I want to show my vote.
(Amendment negatived: nays 10; yeas 1[See Minutes of Proceedings])
Conservative
Jamie Schmale Conservative Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON
Chair, on a point of order, just to follow up on Mr. Battiste's comment on the voting order, Eric has the lead for this on our side. If he could kick off the voting, I know it might mess people up.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
I'm very grateful to welcome Mr. Epp to the committee today, but there's no reason that we shouldn't be able to start on the Conservative side with Mr. Melillo.
Conservative
Jamie Schmale Conservative Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON
I don't know if you want to check with the Bloc or the NDP on their voting structure, but who wants to start with them?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
Colleagues, we're now going to G-1.
Would someone like to move G-1?
Go ahead, Ms. Atwin.
Liberal
Jenica Atwin Liberal Fredericton, NB
Thank you very much.
I move that Bill C-61 be amended by adding after line 8 on page 6 the following:
Right to Clean and Safe Drinking Water 3.1 It is recognized
I believe we should add to that piece “and affirmed”:
that it is a human right of every individual on First Nations land to have access to clean and safe drinking water in accordance with this Act.
I want to include that final piece, because it strengthens it by providing that guidance as far as the implementation piece is concerned. That's specifically how it was drafted, and it helps explain things for me, as well. The key here is also clarity for our partners and for those who will be most affected by this very important piece of the legislation.
In general, I also feel incredibly privileged and honoured to be part of this historic conversation and to put an end, hopefully, to the historic discrimination that has led us to this point. I'm very excited specifically about this piece.
Again, we've all arrived here in a good way. It's been an honour to work with you all to get to this point.
Thank you.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
Thank you very much, Ms. Atwin.
Just for clarification, you can't subamend your own amendment, but it's up to colleagues if someone would like to move that subamendment. I want to also remind members that those subamendments need to be submitted in writing so that they can be translated. If someone is interested in moving that subamendment, we'll go through that process.
First we have Mr. Melillo to speak to G-1.
Conservative
Eric Melillo Conservative Kenora, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
We've been talking about this for some time now. I'm still in favour of the wording in G-1. I also support including the terms “recognized and affirmed”. I'm happy to move the subamendment, Mr. Chair. If you'll indulge me, I'll need a second to make sure I have my translation correct and have that circulated. I'm happy to move that subamendment.
Would it be possible to have a brief suspension to give us time to get that circulated?