Indigenous and Northern Affairs

The committee studied Bill C-27, which would establish the Tlegohli Got’ine Government, and the affordability challenges in northern Canada. Appearing were Sherry Hodgson and Paul Tan from the Tlegohli Got’ine Government Inc., Taylor Chamberlain from the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Merlyn Recinos and Inuaraq Angutimarik from Arctic Fresh Group, and Brian Tattuinee from Nunavut Sealink and Supply Inc.

Sherry Hodgson urged the committee to pass Bill C-27 by August 1, 2026, to avoid triggering a general election on September 7, 2026, and to provide stability as the community’s main economic driver, Imperial Oil, shuts down. She stressed that the self-government agreement does not expand aboriginal title or affect private land titles, and that it will allow the government to directly participate in resource exploration and economic development.

Paul Tan emphasized that passing Bill C-27 would create certainty for citizens, industry partners and governments, and would allow the Tlegohli Got’ine Government to advocate directly in regulatory processes rather than being filtered through other organizations. He noted that the agreement received 85% support in ratification and that delay would create uncertainty and disappointment, undermining trust in the process.

Taylor Chamberlain offered condolences for Shannon Shannon, the former federal negotiator who passed away, and explained that the Tlegohli Got’ine Government is an exclusive indigenous government with a unique transition clause to become a public government if its population reaches 70% in Norman Wells. She confirmed that private property was not a topic in the negotiations, as land rights were already addressed in the Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement.

Merlyn Recinos argued that affordability in Nunavut is driven by reliance on southern supply chains and that improving it requires investing in northern self-reliance through harvesting infrastructure, transportation and cold storage, community food centres, and workforce development. He recommended that the government return to a bulk-negotiation model for food logistics, similar to the old food mail program, and support local food sovereignty by subsidizing country food transportation without requiring Health Canada certification.

Inuaraq Angutimarik said that for youth, affordability is about everyday realities like classmates coming to school hungry and families in overcrowded homes, and that keeping youth in the north requires workforce development, food affordability, housing infrastructure and local independence. He noted that when southern workers are brought in, money leaves Nunavut instead of generating local economic growth.

Brian Tattuinee highlighted that improved marine infrastructure, such as the port of Iqaluit, increases efficiency and safety for sealift operations, and that investments in charting, navigational aids and lay-down areas would further reduce costs. He also stressed that government funding timelines often do not align with the sealift season, leading to increased project costs, and that logistics providers should be involved earlier in planning major projects.

The committee also discussed Bill C-10, which would establish a commissioner for modern treaties, with Paul Tan expressing support for it. The Bloc Québécois stated its support for Bill C-27. No procedural motions or votes were recorded.