The Chair presented the First Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, which read as follows:

Your subcommittee met on Thursday, February 20, 2020, to consider the business of the committee and agreed to make the following recommendations:

1. That the committee invite the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs and the Department of Indigenous Services to provide a briefing on the responsibilities and activities of their departments on Tuesday, February 25, 2020.
2. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), and given the high cost of nutritional goods and reduced access to non-perishable goods, including country and traditional foods, the committee undertake a study on identifying ways to improve food security in northern communities; that the witness list include representatives from Indigenous and northern communities, nutrition experts, officials from the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs; and that the committee report its findings to the House.
3. That the committee invite the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs and the Department of Indigenous Services to appear before the committee with regards to its study of food security on Thursday, February 27, 2020.
4. That, in relation to its study of food security in northern communities, members submit their lists of prioritized witnesses, including their contact information, to the clerk of the committee no later than Tuesday, February 25, 2020, at 4 p.m.
5. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of the economic development opportunities, or lack thereof, for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, nations and territories, as well as the North and Far North; that the committee’s study include, but not be limited to, examining community readiness for economic opportunities, access to capital, the potential for success or roadblocks in various economic sectors, as well as support for Indigenous businesses; that the committee also study the various partnerships between Indigenous organizations, communities and institutions, the private sector, municipal, provincial, territorial and federal governments; that all meetings for this study be televised or webcast; that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request that the Government table a comprehensive response to the report.
6. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), and given the evolving roles and responsibilities of Treaty Commissions across the provinces, the committee undertake a study on how Treaty Commissions be utilized to address and help resolve inherent and treaty rights in Canada and how a new national treaty commissioner’s office be designed and established with Indigenous partners; that the witness list include representatives from the Treaty Commissions in Nova Scotia, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan, academics, and officials from the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs; and that the committee report its findings to the House.
7. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a comprehensive study on the barriers to sport and recreation participation for the Indigenous people of Canada, considering that physical activity is a fundamental element of health and well-being; that the scope of the study include but not be limited to, policies and culturally appropriate programming that exist to promote physical activity in Indigenous communities, access to sports and recreation programs, assessing the capacity of different communities and seeing where federal support is needed, opportunities for Indigenous people to excel in sports, and infrastructure capacity.
8. That the committee invite the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Minister of Indigenous Services and the Minister of Northern Affairs to appear before the committee on the Supplementary Estimates (B), 2019-20 and the Main Estimates 2020-21, during the week of March 9, 2020.

On motion of Arnold Viersen, it was agreed, — That the First Report from the subcommittee be concurred in.

Daniel Watson and Jean-François Tremblay made a statement and, with Serge Beaudoin, answered questions.

Sylvie Bérubé gave notice of the following motion:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on the current Indigenous crisis in Quebec and Canada; that it invite the key stakeholders at the centre of this crisis: the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs, the ministers concerned and experts on Indigenous affairs; and that it report back to the House.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.

Sylvie Bérubé moved, — That with regards to her notice of motion given earlier today, that the 48 hours notice requirement to consider the motion be waived and that the debate on the motion be held this day.

RULING BY THE CHAIR

The Chair ruled that unanimous consent is required to suspend a routine motion and seeing no unanimous consent, that the 48 hours notice requirement applies.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the debate on the motion given on notice by Sylvie Bérubé earlier today be held on Thursday, February 27, 2020, at the beginning of the meeting.