Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs

Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs
Name	Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs
Established	1867
Type	Standing committee
Chamber	House of Commons
Jurisdiction	Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs. The committee examines matters relating to Indigenous peoples in Canada, Northern Canada, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, Treaty 6, Treaty 9 and issues arising from Constitution Act, 1867 and the Constitution Act, 1982. It reviews legislation, conducts studies, and reports to the House of Commons of Canada while engaging with Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Métis National Council, National Chief Perry Bellegarde and provincial bodies such as Government of Ontario and Government of British Columbia.

Mandate and Responsibilities

The committee's mandate derives from the Standing Orders of the House of Commons and includes study of legislation introduced under the authority of Indian Act, Treaty Rights, Nunavut Act, Northern Strategy, Land Claims Agreements, James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and matters referred by the Prime Minister of Canada. It examines departmental estimates for Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, reviews reports from the Auditor General of Canada and the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, assesses implementation of decisions by the Supreme Court of Canada such as R v. Sparrow and Delgamuukw v British Columbia, and oversees issues involving James Bay, Hudson Bay, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Membership and Leadership

Membership reflects party representation in the House of Commons of Canada and includes MPs from the Liberal Party of Canada, Conservative Party of Canada, New Democratic Party, Bloc Québécois and independents such as those from Green Party of Canada. Chairs and vice-chairs have included MPs with backgrounds tied to regions like Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec, and Indigenous parliamentarians associated with organizations like the Assembly of First Nations and the Métis National Council. Appointment of members follows procedures in the Standing Orders of the House of Commons and coordination with the Board of Internal Economy and party whips from leaders such as Justin Trudeau, Pierre Poilievre and Jagmeet Singh.

Parliamentary Procedure and Activities

The committee conducts public hearings in locations including Ottawa, Winnipeg, Yellowknife and Iqaluit, summons witnesses from entities like Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and academic institutions such as the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia. It issues calls for submissions, adopts motions under rules in the House of Commons Procedure and Practice, votes to authorize studies, and prepares reports subject to adoption by the House of Commons of Canada; its work is sometimes followed by action from ministers named in portfolios such as Minister of Indigenous Services (Canada) and Minister of Crown‑Indigenous Relations.

Major Inquiries and Reports

The committee has produced reports on issues linked to the Sixties Scoop, Residential schools, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Canada), Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, Child welfare in Canada, Jordan's Principle, and implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Reports have been tabled responding to rulings like Tsilhqot'in Nation v British Columbia and policy frameworks including the Royal Proclamation of 1763 and the Douglas Treaties. Its inquiries have prompted engagement with the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, Inuit Circumpolar Council, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and national institutions such as the Canadian Heritage portfolio.

Legislative and Policy Influence

Through clause-by-clause review, briefings, and amendments, the committee has influenced bills including reforms to the Indian Act, legislation related to land claims, self-government agreements, and statutes implementing aspects of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Canada) calls to action. Its recommendations have been considered by ministers such as Jody Wilson-Raybould, Carolyn Bennett, and by cabinet committees chaired by the Prime Minister of Canada, affecting policies in regions like Nunavut and Manitoba and dealings with organizations such as Assembly of First Nations and Métis National Council.

History and Evolution

Formed in the aftermath of Confederation, the committee traces roots to parliamentary committees active during the tenure of figures like John A. Macdonald, and evolved through milestones including the negotiation of historic treaties like Treaty of Niagara (1764), the establishment of Nunavut in 1999, the era of residential schools and the later work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Canada). Its mandate and composition have adapted in response to Supreme Court jurisprudence from cases such as R v. Gladstone and R v. Sparrow, federal restructuring reflected in the creation of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and political developments involving leaders like Stephen Harper and Paul Martin.

Category:Committees of the House of Commons of Canada