Indigenous and Northern Affairs

The committee met to study Bill C-15, the budget implementation act, focusing on provisions to repeal sections 195 and 196 of the Naskapi and the Cree-Naskapi Commission Act. Appearing were Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Rebecca Alty, Deputy Minister Valerie Gideon, and Director General Élizabeth Pigeon.

Minister Alty testified that repealing sections 195 and 196 is a technical cleanup to align the act with the new Northeastern Quebec Agreement, clarifying Naskapi Police authorities and updating funding arrangements, and that the change is fully supported by the Naskapi nation. She also highlighted broader budget measures including a bonding and surety pilot program to help First Nations businesses bid on infrastructure projects, a $2.8 billion investment in the urban, rural and northern Indigenous housing strategy, and an expansion of the Indigenous loan guarantee program from $5 billion to $10 billion. She urged all members to pass Bill C-15 quickly to unlock funding for housing, infrastructure, and energy projects, and also encouraged support for Bill C-10, the modern treaty commissioner legislation.

Deputy Minister Gideon confirmed that of 132 unaccounted-for art items from a loan program, 71 remain missing, with 66 acquired before 1994, and that the department has not released artist names because artists have not provided written consent for disclosure under access to information requests. She did not disagree with any other witness.

Director General Pigeon stated that the process to fill three vacancies on the Cree-Naskapi Commission is underway following receipt of applications a few months ago, and that appointments should be completed in the coming months. She did not disagree with any other witness.

During questioning, Conservative members pressed the minister on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, arguing for tougher sentences and bail reform, and on missing art pieces, but the minister pointed to upcoming round tables and prevention funding. On firearms, Conservative members asked whether the minister supports using limited police resources to confiscate law-abiding owners’ firearms, and she responded by citing expert panels and former Conservative justice minister Kim Campbell on regulating firearms associated with public safety risk. On land title, the minister stated the government defended fee simple title in the Cowichan trial and continues to do so on appeal. The Bloc Québécois member expressed support for the Naskapi provisions and asked about the minister’s priorities, to which the minister cited speeding up additions to reserve and advancing a First Nations education agreement in Quebec. Liberal members highlighted the importance of passing the budget to fund northern infrastructure, housing, and energy projects, and noted support from Indigenous partners for the bonding and surety pilot and the modern treaty commissioner bill. No procedural debate, motions, or votes occurred during the meeting.