SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
November 9, 2023
Context: Bill C-53, An Act respecting the recognition of certain Métis governments (INAN) - Nov/9/23
Mr. Tony Belcourt
  • 04:15:06 p.m.
  • Watch
  • Read Aloud
I think the argument against the bill is that it is going to impact on the economies, for example. Is that what you mean?
24 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Mrs. Marilène Gill
  • 04:15:31 p.m.
  • Watch
  • Read Aloud
In fact, I want to know which arguments go against the bill, in your view. You said you want the committee to see clearly what is coming out of the arguments. I wanted to give you the opportunity to talk about the arguments being made by the opposing party so that you, Tony Belcourt, could tell us what you think about the arguments being made against Bill C‑53.
71 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Mr. Tony Belcourt
  • 04:16:00 p.m.
  • Watch
  • Read Aloud
On the arguments against the recognition of the Métis people, specifically the Métis of Ontario, I can only suggest that, first of all, there have been a lot of agreements that have been established between governments and the Métis of Ontario based on the legitimacy of our people and our communities—the historic reality of our communities. People are saying that there are no Métis communities in Ontario. In the case of Sault Ste. Marie, do you not trust the decision of the Supreme Court of Canada? That firmly agreed with the decision of the judge at trial that the community very definitely did exist. The decision at trial was that governments have a duty to make arrangements with the rest of the Métis. We don't need to go to trial for every single community. Surely, that's not what needs to be done. A precedent has been set. The Supreme Court of Canada said that this is the criteria for a community exercising a right.
178 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Mrs. Marilène Gill
  • 04:18:00 p.m.
  • Watch
  • Read Aloud
I am sorry to interrupt you, but I have very little time and, with what happened, I miscalculated the time I have left. In any case, you could send us other responses in writing if we run out of time. You raised the argument of legitimacy, but you think other arguments should be made to the committee? If so, do you want to talk about those and tell us what we should be looking at?
75 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Mr. Tony Belcourt
  • 04:18:33 p.m.
  • Watch
  • Read Aloud
I do intend to present a written submission with 10 pages. I'm going to address the issues one at a time in that paper.
25 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Mrs. Marilène Gill
  • 04:18:56 p.m.
  • Watch
  • Read Aloud
I would like to hear from Ms. Starblanket on the same topic. In fact, I am interested in hearing all the witnesses, both from Ontario and Saskatchewan, on the arguments against this bill.
34 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Prof. Danette Starblanket
  • 04:19:23 p.m.
  • Watch
  • Read Aloud
Thank you. I believe that, when we're looking at what's happened with colonization throughout our history, we've seen a real breakdown in those relationship. We've come to compete with one another within first nations communities, between Métis and first nations, and between Métis communities. This is part of our colonized face now. This is who we are. We have to work to decolonize those ways of thinking. I think we have to understand that, upon contact, we started to create Métis societies. Métis culture came to be born. From there came communities. Métis folks were all over this place that we now occupy and today is called Canada. They did occupy these regions. They moved amongst these regions. As I've mentioned earlier, they were very involved with first nations people. As far as trappers and hunters, they were taking up those avocations as well, those ways of life, and surviving from them. I think that historical existence has to be understood and it has to be realized. I think we also have to realize that we have come to break each other down. That's who we are today—tearing each other apart. Unfortunately, that's where we're at. We have to heal that. We have to move towards changing that. I hope that's where we're at. There are people who will put those arguments against Bill C‑53 forward, but I think we have to look at that history and those Supreme Court decisions that have been made and the positions of the Métis people. Their voices and their oral history are really important. I think that all has to be taken into account. As far as talking about recognition—
304 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
The Chair
  • 04:21:31 p.m.
  • Watch
  • Read Aloud
I'm sorry. I'm going to have to jump in. We're at the end of the six minutes, and I have another person waiting. We need to jump now to Ms. Idlout. When you're ready, the floor is yours for six minutes.
45 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Ms. Lori Idlout (Nunavut, NDP)
  • 04:22:12 p.m.
  • Watch
  • Read Aloud
[Witness spoke in Inuktitut, interpreted as follows:] First of all, I want to thank the witnesses for coming here to make statements, because what you have brought to us today is very important. I want to ask this of Tony Belcourt. You were actively involved in the Powley decision when you were president of the MNO. At this committee, there have been some disagreements on what Powley means for Métis in Ontario. Can you tell us who Powley applies to?
82 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border