Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on June 11th, 2026

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

Minister, I want to point out some things that you said in regard to Bill S-2.

We've heard the excuse from the government that we want consultation. I think there's a double standard here, because on Bill C-5, the government didn't do anything to consult, but they passed that with a speed not seen in generations.

On an extinction bill, you've arguably been doing consultation since 1985, and according to your own website since 2023, and now you're doing even more consultation. I'll also point out that the bill itself has a one-year extension for implementation to do even more consultation. I do find that timing and consultation is being used as an excuse by this government. I do ultimately see the good actions of talking with communities, but I do find that it is a strong excuse for an extinction bill.

On the bill itself, also, being an extinction bill, we've heard the testimony of thousands of people, at the end of the day, about how it keeps children away from their families and it kicks people out of their own communities.

Do you commit to getting this bill done in this Parliament, yes or no?

[Mandy Gull-Masty, Liberal, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

First, I just have to make a comment. I'm really surprised by your statement about the “good actions of talking with communities.” I don't think that's the appropriate framing for the engagement that we are required to do on consultation.

As I've stated on numerous occasions, citizenship needs to be determined by first nations. That is nation-specific. I can quote the letter again, if you wish. There are many nations out there that feel that while the one-parent rule may be appropriate for some nations, there is no consensus in the entirety of the country that it is the only pathway forward. The consultations that I expedited when I became minister were really to ensure that we were able to represent and report the positions of first nations communities and the solutions that are framed for now.

You know, when government wishes to undertake—

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

Thank you for the answer. I have only so much time [Inaudible—Editor] to question—

[Mandy Gull-Masty, Liberal, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

I want to respond on the component of the question for Bill C-5—

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

I have only so much time, Chair. That would—

[The Chair, Liberal, Terry Sheehan]

Minister, that's okay. He's satisfied with the answer so far. He's going to ask another question, please.

Thank you.

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

Your government also says that citizenship should be defined by the nations themselves. They already have that through section 10. This is a question of status and the individual relationship and the rights of individuals with the government. Citizenship is already legislated through a process, through a section 10 band, so I also find that it is another excuse at the end of the day.

Chair, I'd like to move a motion in regard to Bill S-2. I'd like to read it into the record.

[The Chair, Liberal, Terry Sheehan]

Are you giving notice of motion?

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

Yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Terry Sheehan]

Okay.

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

May I read it?

[The Chair, Liberal, Terry Sheehan]

Read it into the record.

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

Thank you.

It is:

That the committee conclude the study on Bill S-2, An Act to Amend the Indian Act and proceed to clause by clause on the Bill no later than Tuesday, June 16, 2026, to expedite resolution regarding uncertainty in Nicholas v. Attorney General to end further delays and advance legislation that has been agreed to by 511 individual First Nations and is supported by thousands of Canadians calling for its passage.

[The Chair, Liberal, Terry Sheehan]

Thank you very much.

That's your notice.

Are there more questions?

[Jaime Battiste, Liberal, Cape Breton—Canso—Antigonish, NS]

Can we circulate that?

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

We can circulate that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Terry Sheehan]

Okay, circulate it. Do you have it in both official languages?

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

Yes. We have a tweak on the interpretation, but it's a small tweak.

[A voice]

It's sent.

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

It's been sent.

[The Chair, Liberal, Terry Sheehan]

It's circulated. It's in the record as a notice of motion.

You may continue. You have a minute and 30 seconds.

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

I'd like to hand it over to my colleague Mr. Stevenson. He has a question as well, and I will share my time with him.

[William Stevenson, Conservative, Yellowhead, AB]

Thank you, Minister, for being here today.

I believe you were paying attention last week when I made a member's statement regarding a tragedy near the O'Chiese First Nation. I want to follow up on that.

I recognize that this particular road is not necessarily in your department's jurisdiction, because it's a country road, but it does lead to the nation. I want to make sure that you did get the letter I sent last week and that you'll be working with the other departments to get full funding towards this project.

Have you had any discussions so far with regard to the letter I sent?

[The Chair, Liberal, Terry Sheehan]

You have 35 seconds.

Thank you.

[Mandy Gull-Masty, Liberal, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

Thank you.

The letter has been received. Thank you. I appreciate that.

I think it is really important that when we are trying to support communities, they are an engaged partner. I am more than willing to ensure that I undertake the work with my ministerial colleagues to respond when files arise that are cross-ministerial files. In fact, it's one of the things I really value, as a minister.

As the first indigenous Minister of Indigenous Services Canada, one of my personal priorities is to ensure that I engage my colleagues in fully understanding that every minister sitting in cabinet has a duty to ensure that they provide service and responses on first nations files. It doesn't fall only under the prerogative of Crown-Indigenous Relations, me or the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs, but we are all there to serve in cabinet, in all aspects of the service we give, because first nations are part of the Canadian population—