AANO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development met at 3:31 p.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the chair, Maurice Vellacott, presiding.

Marc Lemay moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee recommends that government to implement the Kelowna agreement, entitled Strengthening Relationships and Closing the Gap, which was reached on November 25, 2005 between the First Ministers and the National Aboriginal Leaders.

That the Committee adopt these recommendations as a report to the House and that the Chair present this report to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

Rod Bruinooge moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee study the objectives of the First Ministers Meeting of last November and in particular in relation to housing, health, education and economic development.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Rod Bruinooge and it was negatived on the following recorded division: YEAS: Harold Albrecht, Rod Bruinooge, Colin Mayes, Brian Storseth — 4; NAYS: Jean Crowder, Nancy Karetak-Lindell, Marc Lemay, Yvon Lévesque, Gary Merasty, Anita Neville, Todd Norman Russell — 7.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Jean Crowder, Nancy Karetak-Lindell, Marc Lemay, Yvon Lévesque, Gary Merasty, Anita Neville, Todd Norman Russell — 7; NAYS: Harold Albrecht — 1.

Rod Bruinooge moved, — That whenever the Main Estimates or Supplementary Estimates are tabled in the House, the Committee invite the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians and any relevant Senior Officials of a Department to appear at a meeting of the Committee and, if possible, that it be televised.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Rod Bruinooge moved, — That whenever a Chapter of a Report of the Auditor General refers to a subject under the mandate of the Committee, the Committee invite the Office of the Auditor General of Canada and any relevant Senior Officials of a Department to appear at a meeting of the Committee and, if possible, that it be televised.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Anita Neville moved, — That this committee (Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development ) request a joint meeting with the special legislative committee that is dealing with Bill C-2 (‘the Accountability Act’) to examine the portions of the act that deal with First Nations Accountability.

The Chair ruled the proposed motion inadmissible as article 113(2) of the Standing Orders does not autorize legislative Committees to hold joint meetings

It was agreed, — That the Committee have briefings from Officials from the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development on May 10 and 15 and hear from the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians on May 17.

It was agreed, — That the Committee hear from Justice Officials on the impact of Bills C-9 and C-10 on Aboriginal peoples on May 29 and from Aboriginal groups on May 31.

It was agreed, — That the Ccmmittee discuss its future business on June 5.

At 5:29 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.