Public Safety committee  My recommendations were about how to address the problem right now. We have a crisis right now, because first nations are being targeted by police officers and the government at large. If this bill were to pass and they added this provision for a special first nations advocate fo

Public Safety committee  I think there would be more balance than there currently is in the bill, keeping in mind that this bill also turns the working of our justice system and our constitution on its head. The role of judges is in fact to uphold the constitution and charter rights and not to find ways

Public Safety committee  Thank you for asking because as you probably know, I was a lawyer for Justice Canada, worked on legislation, and have taken training in legislative interpretation and regulatory drafting. That is why I was quite shocked this legislation ever made it here. The Justice Canada lawye

Public Safety committee  Thank you for your question. It's an important one because, as I stated, it doesn't just impact indigenous peoples; it impacts the rest of Canada, including environmentalists, unions, women's groups, and children's advocates. We have to get real about what the clear and present

Public Safety committee  Bill C-51 as currently written would capture everything under Idle No More. Imagine that. Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come of the Grand Council of the Crees offered a quote for my submission as well, to the effect that had their activities been done today as opposed to back then, th

Public Safety committee  Thank you for inviting me here today to speak. I first want to acknowledge that we're on the traditional territory of the Algonquin Nation, and that's not just a polite acknowledgement. It's the very reason why all of you get to sit here today. Were it not for the cooperation,