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INAN Committee Meeting

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Minutes of Proceedings

44th Parliament, 1st Session
Meeting 99
Monday, March 18, 2024, 11:04 a.m. to 1:03 p.m.
Televised
Presiding
John Aldag, Chair (Liberal)

Library of Parliament
• Brittany Collier, Analyst
• Caitlin Gropp, Analyst
Department of Indigenous Services
• Katrina Peddle, Director General, Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families Branch
• Isabelle Quintal, Acting Director General, Strategic Policy and Planning Directorate
Department of Justice
• Valerie Phillips, Director and General Counsel, Aboriginal Law Centre
• Paula Quig, Senior Counsel, Aboriginal Law Centre
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Wednesday, Feburary 14, 2024, the committee commenced its study of the opinion by the Supreme Court of Canada on February 9, 2024, regarding An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families (C-92).

Katrina Peddle made a statement and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.

Motion

Martin Shields moved, —

That, given that the NDP-Liberal carbon tax is set to increase by 23% on April 1st, 2024;

That most First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people live in rural areas that require access to affordable, stable, and reliable gas, groceries, and home heating to live;

That the Chiefs of Ontario have deemed the carbon tax discriminatory against First Nations, calling on the government to axe the tax, and, after the government refused to do so, filed for judicial review with support from Assembly of First Nations Chief Cindy Woodhouse; and

That the Premiers of seven provinces and the Premier of Northwest Territories have called for the government to spike the hike.

The committee:

a) recognize that the carbon tax disproportionately affects First Nations, Inuit, and Métis;

b) recognize that Indigenous communities across Canada are engaged in the development of natural resource projects for the benefit of current and future generations contributing to economic reconciliation; and

c) call on the Liberal Government to immediately cancel the 23% carbon tax increase on April 1 and axe the tax for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis across Canada, and report this to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

Motion

Jaime Battiste moved, — That the debate be now adjourned.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Jaime Battiste, Ben Carr, Pam Damoff, Leah Gazan, Sébastien Lemire, Michael V. McLeod, Marcus Powlowski — 7;

NAYS: Eric Melillo, Jamie Schmale, Martin Shields, Bob Zimmer — 4.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.

Eric Melillo gave notice of the following motion:

Given that First Nations and Inuit police services do important work to keep members of the communities they serve safe, that, in the opinion of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs, these police services provide an essential service and should be declared essential, and that this be reported to the house.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.

At 12:31 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:39 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

The committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to committee business.

At 1:03 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.



Cédric Taquet
Clerk of the committee