Evidence of meeting #22 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 implementation.
A video is available from Parliament.
President, Nisga'a Lisims Government
That's right, because it's a huge problem. There are no consultations with the Nisga'a, for example, on what they're doing in terms of getting into agreements with other nations that really impact Nisga'a treaty rights.
Liberal
Jaime Battiste Liberal Cape Breton—Canso—Antigonish, NS
I've heard this framed in the House by Conservatives as needless bureaucracy, that you guys have mechanisms available to get these treaties upheld.
Do you think that is a valid argument?
President, Nisga'a Lisims Government
No, we don't see it as an added bureaucracy. We see it as an independent body.
I would like to have my colleague who is involved with the technical work related to the administrative end of things comment.
Go ahead, Brianne.
Brianne Paulin Legal Counsel, Nisga'a Lisims Government
We don't see this as an added layer of bureaucracy. As President Clayton said, it's an independent agent of Parliament.
There are currently internal processes that the federal government has established, like DMOC, the deputy ministers' oversight committee, but those are really towards the internal coordination of the federal government. One of the key challenges is that there's no internal coordination. You have one interpretation from one department and then on the same provision, there's a completely different interpretation from another department. There's no way for Parliament to obtain an independent assessment of how modern treaties are being implemented.
The agent of Parliament is separate. We don't see it as an added layer of bureaucracy as it's reporting directly to Parliament.
Liberal
Jaime Battiste Liberal Cape Breton—Canso—Antigonish, NS
Do I have time to ask Chief Frost for an example of how she believes this modern-day treaty commissioner could be utilized by her nation?
Liberal
Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
There are self-government agreements in Yukon. We have 11 self-governing modern treaty groups in Yukon.
It's critical and essential that we have [Technical difficulty—Editor] streams that we go to. We want to be able to go to one window and one door with Canada.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Terry Sheehan
Chief, you're still breaking up a bit. Perhaps, Chief, you could respond in writing as well.
Thank you.
Bloc
Marilène Gill Bloc Côte-Nord—Kawawachikamach—Nitassinan, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I would have liked to know if the technical pretests were done or if they were done afterwards, because it didn't work the first time they were given the floor. It's important for the interpreters and for those who speak French.
Thank you all for your testimony.
As Ms. Clayton said at the outset, I believe there are no amendments to be made to the bill. Everyone agrees. This bill was co-drafted, so there was a….
Is it possible that you couldn't…. I thought the tests had been done.
February 24th, 2026 / 11:40 a.m.
Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation
The earpiece with translation is not working.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Terry Sheehan
We're going to suspend and we're not counting this as time for Madame Gill.
We're just pausing while we do this and then we'll start from the top.
Go ahead from the beginning, please.
Bloc
Marilène Gill Bloc Côte-Nord—Kawawachikamach—Nitassinan, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Languages and identity are important for everyone.
Thank you for your testimony.
Ms. Clayton said the bill was co‑drafted, so everyone, meaning the first nations concerned and the government, agrees. The Bloc Québécois is in favour of the bill. Ms. Clayton also said that, from her point of view, no amendments to the bill are required. I imagine the other two witnesses would agree. I could give them a chance to speak to see if they have the same point of view on this.
Since everyone agrees, we don't need to ask as many questions. However, I have a general question that may illuminate why this bill is a good thing. It has to do with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
How can Bill C‑10 ensure…. We know the government often needs to be backed into a corner before it will act or react, so how can this bill help meet the government's obligations to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples?
I'll start with Chief Sheldon Sunshine, then Eva Clayton and the other lady online, whose name I've forgotten. I apologize for that.
President, Nisga'a Lisims Government
Thank you. To answer the question in relation to UNDRIP, the advocacy for the CMTI began long before UNDRIP was signed. It is not directly tied to Canada's UNDRIP responsibilities.
Canada's signing and implementing this international instrument was a positive step forward for the recognition of the rights of all indigenous people. UNDRIP provides the floor, not the ceiling, when it comes to the state's recognition of indigenous rights. UNDRIP builds upon section 35 of the Constitution, which already protects the modern treaty.
That's basically it, in a nutshell.
Bloc
Marilène Gill Bloc Côte-Nord—Kawawachikamach—Nitassinan, QC
I don't know if my question was understood. I asked about how it introduces an additional step, how it fits…. From what I understand, it's not really an improvement. Do I have that right?
Legal Counsel, Nisga'a Lisims Government
Thank you very much for the question.
Mr. Chair, if I may answer, there's an article in UNDRIP that provides for the recognition and upholding of treaties. The commissioner is, again, tied to section 35 and upholding modern treaties. It does, in fact, tend to uphold UNDRIP, because article 37 provides for the full implementation of treaties as well.
Bloc
Marilène Gill Bloc Côte-Nord—Kawawachikamach—Nitassinan, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Ms. Frost, do you have—