Evidence of meeting #134 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.
November 26th, 2024 / 4:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
I call this meeting back to order.
The subamendment that Ms. Idlout moved has now been translated and circulated. You should have that in your inboxes.
We left off with Ms. Idlout having the floor. I'm going to turn the floor back to Ms. Idlout.
NDP
Lori Idlout NDP Nunavut, NU
Thank you for your patience, everyone.
As I mentioned, with my subamendment, I'm hoping to strengthen BQ-33 so that, in the third line from the bottom, it replaces “of its choice” with “as many indigenous languages as possible”.
Thank you.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
Thank you very much, Ms. Idlout.
The subamendment has been moved.
At this point, we'll open it up to debate on the NDP subamendment to BQ-33. Are there any members who would like to intervene at this point?
Go ahead, Mr. Melillo.
Conservative
Eric Melillo Conservative Kenora, ON
I appreciate Ms. Idlout bringing this forward.
Again, similar to some of my other questions, I'd like to ask how this would be achieved. I think there could be some challenges logistically, just with the unfortunate reality that there are, in some cases, very few people who speak some of the indigenous languages. I'm just curious about thoughts from the officials on how this would actually be achieved.
Acting Director, Legislation, Engagement and Regulations, Department of Indigenous Services
In terms of the proposed amendment as a whole, it would put requirements on the water commission should they want to bring a report forward at any given time, versus annual reports, and then prescribe the posting of that report in multiple languages. It could be quite costly, from a translation services perspective, in terms of all those multiple languages and also in terms of time constraints to get all of the translation done within that time period.
Conservative
Eric Melillo Conservative Kenora, ON
I don't know if “anticipate” is the right word, but in your view, with those time constraints, could that lead to any significant delays?
Acting Director, Legislation, Engagement and Regulations, Department of Indigenous Services
It could potentially lead to delays. Also, from a policy perspective, it could also maybe limit the idea of doing a report with those time considerations and the funding required for all of the multiple languages for translation. That would be another kind of policy consideration for transparency of information.
Conservative
Eric Melillo Conservative Kenora, ON
Okay.
If I have the right one in front of me, it mentions “as many indigenous languages as possible”. That phrase, “as possible”, obviously offers a bit of flexibility. How would you see those words, “as possible”, playing out?
Acting Director, Legislation, Engagement and Regulations, Department of Indigenous Services
“As possible” ultimately would be led—or the interpretation of that in the bill—to any partners in the public domain receiving that information. As with any federal legislation, any elements could be subject to a court challenge, so there might be, potentially.... If there was a language missed, that could potentially be part of a court challenge.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
Thank you, Mr. Melillo.
I'm not seeing any further debate. Let's take this to a vote.
Shall the subamendment to BQ-33 carry?
(Subamendment agreed to: yeas 6; nays 5 [See Minutes of Proceedings])
The subamendment to BQ-33 is carried. That brings us back to BQ-33 as amended. I'll open it back up if any members would like to make an intervention.
Not seeing any interventions, we can move to a vote.
Shall BQ-33 as amended carry?
(Amendment as amended agreed to on division [See Minutes of Proceedings])
That is carried.
We will now move on to amendment BQ‑34.
I'm going to turn it over to Mr. Lemire again.
Bloc
Sébastien Lemire Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
The amendment proposes that Bill C‑61, in clause 39, be amended by adding after line 11 on page 19 the following:
(d.1) considering matters relating to water pollution on First Nation lands and making recommendations to the federal, provincial and territorial governments and First Nations in this regard by taking into account, among other things, existing frameworks and best practices related to pollution caused by certain dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic environments on First Nation lands; and
What we're aiming for here is a monitoring function and a review of best practices with respect to hazardous substances being dumped into aquatic environments. Water, as we know, is constantly evolving. I think the commission should have the necessary means to bring in competent people who can advise it and support first nations in the event of a disaster, such as a spill. This would allow the commission to make decisions that are tailored and based on the most modern science possible.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
Thank you very much, Mr. Lemire.
Would anyone like to discuss BQ‑34?
Mrs. Atwin, you have the floor.
Liberal
Jenica Atwin Liberal Fredericton, NB
Thank you.
Once again, it's just setting the terms of engagement for how the Government of Canada must engage with the first nations water commission. I do believe that most of these pieces, if not all, are already possible within the existing language of the bill, so I'd rather leave it up to the self-determination of the commission itself, once it's created.
Thank you.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
Thank you very much, Mrs. Atwin.
Is there any other debate?
I'll go to Mr. Melillo and then to Ms. Idlout.
Conservative
Eric Melillo Conservative Kenora, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Notwithstanding what Mrs. Atwin said, unless I am mistaken here, this is an optional provision. Is that correct?
Acting Director, Legislation, Engagement and Regulations, Department of Indigenous Services
That is correct.
Conservative
Eric Melillo Conservative Kenora, ON
Okay. Given that, I guess it's not too prescriptive.
I've said all I need to say. Thank you.
NDP
Lori Idlout NDP Nunavut, NU
Qujannamiik.
I had similar questions. As such, I'm going to be supportive of this amendment.
Thank you.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
I'm not seeing any further hands up for debate. We can take it to a vote.
Shall BQ-34 carry?
(Amendment agreed to on division)
As mentioned earlier, CPC-13 cannot be moved, because CPC-12 was rejected.
This takes us to the end of clause 39.
Bloc
Sébastien Lemire Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Mr. Chair, before we vote on clause 39 as a whole, we'd like to check something. Is it possible to suspend?
Bloc
Sébastien Lemire Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
No, I don't want to suspend. I was talking about suspending the vote on clause 39. Can we come back to it later or do we absolutely have to vote on it now?
Liberal