AANO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development met in a televised session at 3:32 p.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, the Chair, Barry Devolin, presiding.

The Minister made a statement and, with Michael Wernick, answered questions.

At 4:35 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:36 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Michael Wernick and Peter Harrison answered questions.

At 5:01 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:04 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

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

1. It was agreed, — That Tony Penikett, former Yukon premier and land claims negotiator, be invited to appear on the Northern Panel scheduled for March 12, 2008.

2. It was agreed, — That a makeup Panel be held on March 31, 2008, for those groups or individuals unable to appear on the date of their Regional Panel, and that the Algonquin Nation Secretariat also be invited to participate that day.

3. It was agreed, — That further meetings be held on Bill C-30, in April 2008, as follows:

• a meeting with the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs of Ontario and the Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation of British Columbia (one hour each);
• a roundtable-style meeting with the Iroquois Caucus and its members (time to be extended if necessary);
• a meeting with the business sector to include President Fred Green and/or officials from Canadian Pacific Rail, Gord Steeves and/or officials from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Presidents and/or representatives from the Mining Association of Canada and the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, and representatives from either Hydro One Inc (ON) or Hydro Québec;
• a meeting with academic expert Professor Bryan Schwartz and representatives of the Canadian, Indigenous, and Québec Bar Associations; and
• a meeting with the legal sector to include Donovan & Co. Barristers and Solicitors (for the Okanagan Indian Band), Olive Waller Zinkhan Waller (for the Cumberland House Cree Nation), Alan Pratt Law Firm, and Ackroyd LLP Barristers & Solicitors.

4. It was agreed, — That the Clerk prepare a draft budget for these additional hearings on Bill C-30, if one becomes necessary.

It was agreed, — That the Report be amended by adding after item 4 the following:

5. That Chief Fontaine and the Assembly of First Nations be invited to appear on Wednesday, April 16, 2008, to be the final meeting for witnesses on Bill C-30.

6. That the Honourable Frank Iacobucci, Q.C., LL.D., be invited to appear in April 2008.

7. That the other agreed-to witnesses (as named above) be scheduled in April 2008, and that meetings be added or extended if necessary.

The Subcommittee Report as amended, read as follows:

1. It was agreed, — That Tony Penikett, former Yukon premier and land claims negotiator, be invited to appear on the Northern Panel scheduled for March 12, 2008.

2. It was agreed, — That a makeup Panel be held on March 31, 2008, for those groups or individuals unable to appear on the date of their Regional Panel, and that the Algonquin Nation Secretariat also be invited to participate that day.

3. It was agreed, — That further meetings be held on Bill C-30, in April 2008, as follows:

• a meeting with the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs of Ontario and the Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation of British Columbia (one hour each);
• a roundtable-style meeting with the Iroquois Caucus and its members (time to be extended if necessary);
• a meeting with the business sector to include President Fred Green and/or officials from Canadian Pacific Rail, Gord Steeves and/or officials from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Presidents and/or representatives from the Mining Association of Canada and the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, and representatives from either Hydro One Inc (ON) or Hydro Québec;
• a meeting with academic expert Professor Bryan Schwartz and representatives of the Canadian, Indigenous, and Québec Bar Associations; and
• a meeting with the legal sector to include Donovan & Co. Barristers and Solicitors (for the Okanagan Indian Band), Olive Waller Zinkhan Waller (for the Cumberland House Cree Nation), Alan Pratt Law Firm, and Ackroyd LLP Barristers & Solicitors.

4. It was agreed, — That the Clerk prepare a draft budget for these additional hearings on Bill C-30, if one becomes necessary.

5. It was agreed, — That Chief Fontaine and the Assembly of First Nations be invited to appear on Wednesday, April 16, 2008, to be the final meeting for witnesses on Bill C-30.

6. It was agreed, — That the Honourable Frank Iacobucci, Q.C., LL.D., be invited to appear in April 2008.

7. It was agreed, — That the other agreed-to witnesses (as named above) be scheduled in April 2008, and that meetings be added or extended if necessary.

It was agreed, — That the Report of the Subcommittee, as amended, be concurred in.

At 5:20 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.