Evidence of meeting #1 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was summer.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Terry Sheehan
We're going to suspend just for a couple of minutes. They're requesting it.
Before we suspend, I think we're all saying the same thing, which is that we'll keep this work going. It might be a little more informal, but we have a subcommittee as well.
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Terry Sheehan
You're retracting, so I think we're okay, then.
We're all in agreement that we're going to work over the summer on these ideas and thoughts and prioritize them and set the agenda for a great session coming forward.
I think I'm going to move to adjourn. I see nodding heads.
Bloc
Sébastien Lemire Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Mr. Chair, if I may, before we adjourn, I'd like to give notice of three motions to propose studies to the committee.
Liberal
Bloc
Sébastien Lemire Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Thank you very much.
The motions I'm putting on notice today will also be sent to you by email.
The first motion reads as follows:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs undertake a comprehensive study on how the Government of Canada is fulfilling its legal and constitutional obligation to consult with First Nations, particularly in relation to natural resource development projects, infrastructure development and any project having an impact on the environment and Indigenous peoples' access to land, water and natural resources that may affect Indigenous rights; That this study examine: a. the usual consultation mechanisms, best practices and challenges identified by the communities concerned, Indigenous law experts and federal government representatives; b. the impacts and/or encroachments on First Nations' Aboriginal rights and treaty rights that may arise from legislation aimed at building Canada and implementing projects of national interest; and c. the Government of Canada’s interpretation of the concept of free, prior and informed consent and its moral obligations under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. That the committee hold a minimum of five hearings and invite witnesses, including First Nations leaders, academics, law practitioners, government representatives and any other persons deemed relevant; That the following ministers be invited to testify for one hour each: Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations; Minister of Indigenous Services; Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy; Minister of Environment and Climate Change; and Minister of Transport and Internal Trade. That the committee report its findings to the House of Commons along with recommendations to strengthen the transparency, effectiveness and respectfulness of consultation processes.
The second motion for which I'm giving notice reads as follows:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on issues related to Indigenous communities that do not have a land base or reserve lands; that the study examine how federal authorities can recognize and expedite processes; that the committee allocate at least four (4) meetings to this study; and that it report its findings and recommendations to the House.
The third motion I'm putting on notice is related to the point that Mr. Schmale raised. It concerns the study on barriers to indigenous economic development. The motion reads as follows:
That the committee resume its study on barriers to Indigenous economic development that it undertook during the first session of the 44th Parliament pursuant to the order of reference of Tuesday, November 19, 2024; that the evidence and documentation received by the committee during that study be taken into consideration by the committee in the current session; and that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House.
The idea is to add a section on pretendians to the report that was done.
I'd also like to point out that the Bloc Québécois proposed a motion at the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs that may be of interest to the members of this committee. It concerns the breaches or errors that happened during the most recent election campaign. I'm thinking in particular of what happened in Nunavik, in the riding of Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, where indigenous communities were unable to vote. I think that might be of interest to the members of this committee and to the people who follow our work.
Thank you for listening, Mr. Chair.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Terry Sheehan
Thank you very much.
That's it. The meeting is going to be adjourned. I see nodding heads.
