Thank very much, Mr. Melillo.
I do want to thank all members for sharing their thoughts at a very difficult time right now.
With that, we are going to move into clause-by-clause consideration.
Pursuant to the order of reference of Wednesday, June 5, 2024, the committee is resuming consideration of Bill C-61, an act respecting water, source water, drinking water, wastewater and related infrastructure on first nation lands.
To help us with the clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-61, I would now like to welcome our witnesses. We have Nelson Barbosa, director general, community infrastructure branch, Department of Indigenous Services; Rebecca Blake, acting director, legislation, engagement and regulations, Department of Indigenous Services; and Douglas Fairbairn, senior counsel, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs.
I want to remind members that the amendments are confidential and subamendments are to be shared electronically or on paper in both official languages and sent to the clerk for distribution.
I'd also like to provide members of the committee with a few comments on how the committee will proceed with the clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-61.
As the phrase indicates, this is an examination of all the clauses in the order in which they appear in the bill. I will call each clause successively, and each clause will be subject to debate and a vote. If there are amendments to the clause in question, I will recognize the member proposing it, who then may explain it.
In addition to having to be properly drafted in a legal sense, amendments must also be procedurally admissible. The chair may be called upon to rule amendments inadmissible if they go against the principle of the bill or beyond the scope of the bill, both of which were adopted by the House when it agreed to the bill at second reading, or if they offend the financial prerogative of the Crown.
Each amendment has been given a number in the top right corner to indicate which party submitted it. There is no need for a seconder to move an amendment. Once moved, you will need unanimous consent to withdraw it.
During debate on an amendment, members are permitted to move subamendments. Approval from the mover of the amendment is not required. Subamendments must be provided in writing. Only one subamendment may be considered at a time, and that subamendment cannot be amended. When a subamendment is moved to an amendment, it is voted on first, and then another subamendment may be moved, or the committee may consider the main amendment and vote on it.
Finally, if members have any questions regarding the procedural admissibility of amendments, the legislative clerks are here to assist the committee. However, they are not legal drafters. Should members require assistance with drafting a subamendment, they must contact the legislative counsel.
I thank members for their attention and wish everyone a productive clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-61.
With that, let's get into it.
(On clause 2)
I would like to propose something before we start with clause 2.
Since there are a few amendments to clause 2, which is the definitions clause, I suggest that we postpone the study of clause 2 until the end. This will allow us to first consider and then make a decision on amendments that could have an impact on the definitions. As a reminder, the definitions clause of a bill is not the place to propose a substantive amendment unless other amendments have been adopted that would warrant amendments to the definitions clause.
With that, I do want to ask the committee if there is unanimous consent that we defer this until the end of clause-by-clause consideration.
Okay. It seems that there is consent. Therefore, clause 2 will be postponed and will be considered after clause 44.
(Clause 2 allowed to stand)
(On clause 3)
I will provide the opportunity for someone to move NDP-6.
Ms. Idlout, go ahead.