The committee studied Bill C-10, an act respecting the commissioner for modern treaty implementation, and heard from representatives of modern treaty nations who have advocated for the office for over two decades.
Paul Irngaut, president of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and co-chair of the Land Claims Agreements Coalition, described how the Nunavut agreement has been implemented unevenly, with fisheries quota allocations frequently favouring outside interests despite the treaty's adjacency principle. He said the coalition has recommended a commissioner for modern treaty implementation since 2003 to provide transparency and accountability, and noted that Bill C-10 was drafted co-operatively as part of that effort.
Chief Bertha Rabesca Zoe of Behchoko, Tlicho Government, said the Tlicho Government supports the bill as drafted and urged its passage without amendment. She argued that a commissioner would address structural barriers such as fragmented federal responsibilities, giving the example of Tlicho's jurisdiction over education, which does not fall neatly under one department, and said the commissioner would complement rather than duplicate the Auditor General's work by providing sustained, treaty-specific oversight.
June Shappa, chief administrative officer of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, said the legislation aims to strengthen the relationship between indigenous treaty holders and Parliament, help fulfill treaty obligations and uphold the honour of the Crown, which she said is Parliament's responsibility.
Alastair Campbell, senior policy advisor at Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, noted that only three modern treaties have been reviewed by the Auditor General this century, and said a commissioner would provide consistent, data-driven reviews that could identify implementation faults and inform improvements.
Grand Chief Math'ieya Alatini of the Council of Yukon First Nations expressed full support for the bill, saying modern treaties directly affect the daily lives of communities and that gaps in implementation cause tangible harms. She said the commissioner's independence and public reporting would allow Parliament to hold ministers accountable and help identify systemic barriers before they escalate into disputes or litigation.
Chief Councillor Troy Sam of Kitsumkalum Band Council, whose nation ratified its treaty in 2025, said the bill would help close the gap between treaty promises and practice by providing focused oversight on federal implementation. He said the commissioner could identify recurring administrative bottlenecks and inconsistent policy interpretations, and that public reporting would make implementation visible and measurable.
Valerie Cross, executive councillor of Tsawwassen First Nation, said her nation has faced persistent implementation challenges with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and with the periodic review of its treaty, and that these structural issues have persisted across governments of all parties. She described the commissioner as a specialist surgeon compared to the Auditor General's general practitioner role, and said the bill would provide the deep legal and cultural literacy needed to assess whether the spirit of treaties is being met.
Mary Childs, legal counsel for Tsawwassen First Nation, said a commissioner could establish procedures and standards for treaty review processes, which would create efficiencies for all nations and the federal government. She clarified that the commissioner's office is not intended to address disputes involving non-modern treaty nations, such as the Cowichan or Musqueam cases, but that making modern treaties more effective could encourage other nations to settle through treaties rather than litigation.
The committee briefly debated and then agreed to a motion to invite the Minister of Indigenous Services and leaders of Kashechewan First Nation to appear regarding a public health and infrastructure emergency in that community, with members noting the need to balance this with the committee's existing legislative workload.
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