Evidence of meeting #87 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 amendments.
A video is available from Parliament.
Federal Negotiations Manager, Negotiations - Central, Treaties and Aboriginal Government, Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
No. The only thing that has changed is that we've raised our concerns with the subamendment. Nothing has changed from the last time that we answered the question, Mr. Carr.
Liberal
Ben Carr Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
No, I'm not quite done yet.
Mr. Chair, we have until what time?
Liberal
Ben Carr Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Okay.
Is there any language that you think could be added that would provide the type of assurance that Mr. Viersen or others are seeking at the moment?
Federal Negotiations Manager, Negotiations - Central, Treaties and Aboriginal Government, Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
I think the other non-derogation proposals that have been put forward offer different versions that I understand to be similar, if slightly different—wanting to be fair to Mr. Viersen—in terms of text, but that offer the kinds of protection that I understand the committee to be looking for.
Liberal
Ben Carr Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Can I ask if the department has had any conversations directly with any of these communities throughout the course of this study to answer any of the concerns they may have raised, including the same concerns raised by Mr. Viersen specific to this community in his home province or any others?
Federal Negotiations Manager, Negotiations - Central, Treaties and Aboriginal Government, Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
I've had discussions with a number of the communities that have appeared before this committee on the basis of the agreement and the legislation that's now before us, but to your question, not since this study began, Mr. Carr.
Liberal
Ben Carr Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Okay.
Can I ask that same question of other officials present?
Liberal
Ben Carr Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
No, no. I'm not done.
Do you believe that there is any other area currently in the wording of the legislation, whether pertaining to the amendments put forth by Mr. Viersen and Madam Idlout, that would in any way, shape or form take away from the right of any Métis government not mentioned currently in the bill, should this bill pass in this current form? Are there any other areas of the legislation not specific to the amendments they put forward that concern you vis-à-vis that?
Federal Negotiations Manager, Negotiations - Central, Treaties and Aboriginal Government, Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
I'm not certain I follow the question, Mr. Carr, but I—
Liberal
Ben Carr Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Sure. I'll rephrase it. My apologies.
The amendments that my colleagues have put forward are specifically in relation to all of the things that we've been talking about specific to these groups. Those amendments aside—what they're trying to deal with—are there any other areas of the legislation, aside from those they are seeking to amend, that you feel merit our attention in regard to a potential threat to the pre-existing or future rights of Métis governments or any indigenous governments?
Federal Negotiations Manager, Negotiations - Central, Treaties and Aboriginal Government, Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
No. Absent these amendments, and absent even the amendments before us, we have an obligation to ensure we don't adversely impact the rights of other Métis or first nations communities and collectivities.
Liberal
Ben Carr Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Okay.
Ms. Redman, could I ask you to respond to that as well, please?
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Treaties and Aboriginal Government, Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
I would say the same. Nothing in this bill, in and of itself, would have an impact on the rights of other groups.
Federal Negotiations Manager, Negotiations - Central, Treaties and Aboriginal Government, Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
I would just add that in fact we are trying to recognize the rights of the partners who have helped us co-develop this legislation.
Liberal
Ben Carr Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
In that same line of questioning, should this legislation not pass, what future impact do you foresee that having on the Métis governments in question?
Federal Negotiations Manager, Negotiations - Central, Treaties and Aboriginal Government, Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
I don't know that it is for me to say what the impact is for the Métis governments. I think they've tried to answer that question a number of times in providing testimony to this committee.
I can speak to the practical facts, if that would be helpful, Mr. Carr. We would not have legislation, for which we are ultimately seeking royal assent, to give effect to future self-government treaties to recognize the self-government rights of our partners who were recognized in the Constitution Act in 1982 and who still do not have recognition in federal law.
