Yes.
Evidence of meeting #136 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 procurement.
A video is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #136 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 procurement.
A video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Jamie Schmale Conservative Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON
I have the same question for the minister.
For the record, that was a nod.
I don't know who to start with now.
Minister Anandasangaree, do you think the impact of Randy Boissonnault's actions has caused hurt and harm within indigenous communities?
December 9th, 2024 / 6:20 p.m.
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON
It's fair to say there have been a number of indigenous leaders who have spoken.
For his part, Mr. Boissonnault has taken responsibility and apologized. The issue of indigenous identity is quite complex. In his case, he is an adoptee, from what I understand.
I believe he's taken the right steps. This is certainly not something that anyone should take lightly. He is taking the right measures to ensure healing for those he may have impacted in a negative way, but at the same time to ensure he is able to clear his name and rebuild the trust that is required in the work that we do.
Conservative
Jamie Schmale Conservative Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON
Minister Petitpas Taylor, it's the same question.
Liberal
Ginette Petitpas Taylor Liberal Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB
I'll say exactly the same thing as my colleague. I think Mr. Boissonnault did the right thing. He appeared before the committee last week, and he answered the committee's in‑depth questions for two hours. Now he is taking the time he needs to really set the record straight and rectify the situation.
Conservative
Jamie Schmale Conservative Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON
An indigenous woman inside the Liberal caucus, Jody Wilson-Raybould, was kicked out of caucus for telling the truth. We now have a non-indigenous man who misled on a number of issues, including co-owning a company while still being in caucus. The list goes on. You heard the testimony. You referenced it.
We have an indigenous woman who was kicked out for telling the truth. We have one individual who is misleading and has a cloudy past. How come he still remains in caucus and Jody Wilson-Raybould was shown the exit?
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
On the same point of order, let the record show that member Carr couldn't even keep a straight face while he was saying that.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
Thank you very much, Mr. Carr.
As always, I want to remind members to keep comments relevant to the study at hand.
I paused the time for Mr. Schmale. You have two minutes and nine seconds left.
Conservative
Jamie Schmale Conservative Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON
I trust how you keep time, Chair. Thank you very much.
The question goes to the ministers.
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON
I will repeat what I said earlier. Mr. Boissonnault has acknowledged the errors that took place. He's talked about his personal identity, the complexity that—
Conservative
Jamie Schmale Conservative Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON
I get the errors, but there should be an extra step here. Why is he still in caucus? If Jody Wilson-Raybould was shown the exit—
Liberal
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
That's jaw-dropping breaking news. It's a legitimate point of order.
Liberal
Ben Carr Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
I had to specify it was legitimate in order to ensure that my colleagues across the way were aware.
We are still on the same motion we were on last time. Could Mr. Schmale or you perhaps provide some direction on whether or not a member belonging to a particular political party's caucus is relevant to indigenous procurement?
It's completely legitimate and fair for the member to ask questions about Mr. Boissonnault as it pertains to indigenous procurement. No one's interrupting him when he chooses to do that. However, asking the ministers to comment on the membership of their political party's caucus and how that pertains to a member is not in any way that I can see relevant to the motion that we've been sent here to discuss.
Perhaps you can speak to that, or Mr. Schmale can provide some further explanation.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
I'll just say one thing.
We are doing an update to the barriers to indigenous economic development. The order that was given to the committee stated in part “that it be recommitted to the committee for further consideration, with a view to studying the economic and antireconciliatory barriers posed by fraudulent bids and applications for procurement opportunities set aside for indigenous businesses, including those from non-indigenous-owned companies....”
I want to remind members of that. As much as possible, keep your questions and comments relevant to the study at hand.
With that, Mr. Schmale, you have a little bit more than a minute and a half to go.
Conservative
Jamie Schmale Conservative Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON
Thank you very much.
We'll come back to that question in a second here.
Minister Petitpas Taylor, this is not the first time you've taken over a ministry from Randy Boissonnault. Do you feel uncomfortable doing so this time, under the current circumstances?
Liberal
Ginette Petitpas Taylor Liberal Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB
I don't understand the premise of your question.
Conservative
Jamie Schmale Conservative Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON
It goes to my previous question about Jody Wilson-Raybould's being removed from caucus and Randy Boissonnault still remaining in caucus.
I think this raises some pretty significant concerns, including the fact that, again, he co-owned a company that was still bidding on contracts. They checked a box claiming indigenous ownership, trying to access indigenous contracts set aside specifically for indigenous-owned business. Some 1,100 companies were removed from the registry. Now you're coming into this role, which is not the first time you've taken over a ministry from Minister Boissonnault. Under these circumstances, with this cloud that surrounds Minister Boissonnault, it can't be overly comfortable walking into that office now.
Liberal
Ginette Petitpas Taylor Liberal Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, NB
First and foremost, I think that's a question with respect to his dealings that you'd have to ask MP Boissonnault.
I'm feeling comfortable getting briefed on a new file that I've just taken over in the past two weeks. Again, my officials have been very helpful in helping me get up to date on the files.
Conservative
Jamie Schmale Conservative Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON
To go back to my previous question about Jody Wilson-Raybould, she was removed but Randy Boissonnault stays. How do we—