Appearance before the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples (APPA) - Bill C-32, Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act 2022 - Division 3 of Part 4 (November 30, 2022)

Logistics

Subject: Bill C-32, Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2022 -Division 3 of Part 4

Date: November 30, 2022

Time: 6:45 to 7:45 pm

Location: Senate of Canada Building (Room C128)

Witnesses

• The Hon. Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services
• The Hon. Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
• Lisa DeMoor, Manager, Community Lands Development, Lands and Environmental Management Branch, Lands and Economic Development, ISC
• Roxanne Gravelle, Manager, Engagement and Policy Directorate, Indigenous Institutions and Governance Modernization, Resolution and Partnerships, CIRNAC

Planned Agenda

• Minister Hajdu and Minister Miller, accompanied by departmental officials, will attend in-person.
• The appearance will be for one hour, from 6:45 to 7:45 pm. Each Minister is expected to provide opening remarks of five minutes and then answer questions.

Meeting Logistics

• The Ministers and departmental officials will be invited to sit at the table by the Chair or the Clerk of the Committee.
• The Committee Chair, Brian Francis (PSG), will open the meeting and provide instructions for the meeting proceedings. The Chair will then introduce all witnesses and invite the Ministers to deliver opening remarks of no more than five minutes. This will be followed by a question and answer session.
• Like other Senate committees, APPA does not follow an order of questioning based on political parties. The Chair decides who to call to ask questions during the meeting.
• The Chair will usually say how long each member will have for questions and responses just before the start of the time for questions. They usually have about 5 minutes.

Context

• While Senate committees are generally less partisan than House of Commons Standing Committees, Senators on this Committee tend to ask detailed questions that may result in follow-up requests.
• APPA members have not mentioned FNLMA recently. That said, Senators are historically outspoken on issues affecting Indigenous Peoples, such as self-determination and self-governance.
• Senators are likely to be supportive of the FNLMA component of Bill C-32, since it advances self-determination and self-governance and has the strong support of the Lands Advisory Board and its membership. Senators are also expected to support the strong co-development and engagement process that was undertaken by the government and the LAB on this initiative.
• APPA members, including at the Deputy Minister's November 1, 2022 appearance, have previously asked about safe drinking water, water infrastructure, MMIWG, health, child and family services, progress on the Calls to Action, housing, incarcerated Indigenous women, and employment and education.

Summary of the measure

The proposed legislation is a First Nation-led, co-developed initiative that would replace the First Nations Land Management Act with more concise legislation. The proposed legislation would continue ratification of the nation-to-nation Framework Agreement and better support this Agreement as the central authority through which First Nations transition away from the application of the lands related sections of the Indian Act.  

The proposed legislation would simplify the ratifying federal statute, remove inconsistencies, and focus on the Framework Agreement as the central authority over First Nation land management. It would also simplify the process to amend the Framework Agreement by reducing the need for concurrent amendments to the federal legislation.

Issue

The First Nations Land Management Act (FNLMA) came into force in 1999 to ratify the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management. Now, more than twenty years later, the process requires modernization.

Talking Points

• The proposed legislation to replace the First Nations Land Management Act is a First Nation-led initiative that was co-developed in partnership with the Lands Advisory Board, the Indigenous organization that represents First Nations that are signatories to the Framework Agreement.
• The proposed legislation reduces confusion by situating the Framework Agreement as the central authority through which First Nations transition away from the lands related sections of the Indian Act.
• Under the Framework Agreement, First Nations have full jurisdiction, legal authority, and law-making powers to operate according to their own vision, as a government over their reserve lands.
• The proposed legislation would also simplify the Framework Agreement amendment process by removing the need for concurrent amendments to the federal legislation.
• Together, the proposed legislation and the Framework Agreement support First Nation self-determination and advance a nation-to-nation relationship by removing government intervention in land management activities and accelerating access to economic opportunities.
• Currently there are 194 First Nation signatories to the Framework Agreement: 101 First Nations are operating under a community approved land code, 3 First Nations have transitioned from the First Nation Land Management Act to full self-government agreements with Canada, and 90 are at various stages in developing their land codes.

Subdivision A

Clause 1
This clause would provide a short title to this Bill.

Clause 2
This clause would provide a list of defined terms used in this Bill, and a list of terms that are defined under the Framework Agreement and would hold the same interpretation in this Bill.

Clause 3
This clause would reaffirm that the Framework Agreement is not a treaty within the meaning of section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. This clause aligns with clause 1.3 of the Framework Agreement.

Clause 4
This clause would bind His Majesty in right of Canada to the Act, upon Royal Assent. The First Nations Land Management Act contains a similar provision in section 3.

Clause 5
This clause would ensure the Framework Agreement continues to have effect and has the force of law; provide the authorities to a person or body to perform the duties required to be carried out in the operation of the Framework Agreement and also subjects them to the liabilities of those duties as set out in the Framework Agreement; and ensure, for greater certainty, that the Framework Agreement is binding on, and may be relied on by, all persons and bodies.

Clause 6
This clause would provide that in case of any inconsistency or conflict between the Framework Agreement and the Act, that the Framework Agreement would prevail to the extent of the inconsistency or conflict. This was not previously included in the First Nations Land Management Act but is appropriate for this Bill since the Framework Agreement would be recognized as having the force of law. To align with clause 49.2 of the Framework Agreement it would also provide that in case of any inconsistency or conflict between the Act and any other federal law, the Act prevails to the extent of the inconsistency or conflict. Together, this would ensure the Framework Agreement prevails over any inconsistent or conflicting federal legislation, including this Bill.

Clause 7
This clause would require the Minister to make the Framework Agreement available to the public.

Clause 8
This clause would provide that on the coming into force of a land code, the rights and obligations of His Majesty in right of Canada as grantor regarding the interests or land rights and licenses as described in a First Nations' individual agreement with Canada are transferred to the First Nation whose land code came into force. It would also clarify that the individual agreement is referred to in clause 6 of the Framework Agreement.

Clause 9
This clause would provide that the First Nation Land Register established by the Minister under section 25 of the First Nations Land Management Act is continued as the First Nation Lands Register under this Bill. The Framework Agreement, under clause 51.1, requires Canada to establish a register to record documents respecting First Nation land or interests, or land rights in First Nation land.

Clause 10
This clause would continue the regulation making authority from the First Nations Land Management Act regarding the First Nation Land Register. This clause requires that regulations are made by the Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister, and in accordance with the Framework Agreement. This clause also lists regulations that may be developed including, but not limited to, the registration of instruments in the registry, the development of regulations respecting the payment of fees, providing for powers related to officers and employees who administer the Register, the keeping of documents that are not registerable, the transfer of administration of the Register to any person or body and the application of section 3 of the Privacy Act for that purpose.

Clause 11
This clause would provide that judicial notice must be taken of the Framework Agreement, any land code in force, and any First Nation law. This clause would provide support in resituating the Framework Agreement as the central document in the First Nation land management process.

Clause 12
This clause would provide that there is an obligation for any party that raises a judicial or administrative challenge related to the interpretation or validity of a provision in the Framework Agreement or its ratifying legislation, to serve a notice of the challenge to the Attorney General of Canada, the Lands Advisory Board and to the First Nation whose law is being challenged. The recipient of a notice may appear and participate as a party with the same rights as any other party.

It would also set out the minimum amount of information that must be found in a notice and be served at least 30 days before the day on which the issue is to be argued, unless the court or tribunal authorizes a shorter period.

Clause 13
This clause would ensure the Statutory Instruments Act does not apply in respect of a land code, a First Nation law or an order made under subclause 14.2.1 of the Framework Agreement relating to the addition of lands to reserve.

Subdivision B

Clause 122
This Clause would clarify that the term "former Act" would mean the First Nations Land Management Act. It would also clarify that the terms "First Nation law", "Framework Agreement", "individual agreement", "interest", "land code", "licence", and "right" would rely on the definitions found in the First Nations Land Management Act. 

Clause 123
This clause would ensure continuity of First Nation laws, land codes, documents, actions taken or decisions made when transitioning from the First Nations Land Management Act to this Act upon Royal Assent.

It would also specifically state that any land codes, First Nation laws, or documents made in accordance with the First Nations Land Management Act or the Framework Agreement are in force on the day this Bill comes into force.

It would also would ensure that any action taken or decisions made in accordance with the First Nations Land Management Act or the Framework Agreement before the coming into force of this Bill would not be affected by the coming into force of this Bill. 

Clause 124
This clause would establish that any reference to the First Nations Land Management Act or any of its provisions in any First Nation law, land codes, individual agreement or documents referred to in clause 123, would be read as a reference to this Bill or the Framework Agreement, as the case may be.

Clause 125
This clause would amend paragraph (d) of the definition of "First Nation land" in subsection 2(1) of the Indian Oil and Gas Act. The term in the Indian Oil and Gas Act would be amended to remove reference to the First Nations Land Management Act and instead reference the Framework Agreement.

Clause 126
This clause would amend subsection 3(1) of the Indian Oil and Gas Act. Reference to the First Nations Land Management Act would continue, however, the amendment would add the words "as it read before the coming into force of the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management Act, or the Framework Agreement, as defined in subsection 2(1) of that Act".

Clause 127
This clause would amend section 7 of the Westbank First Nation Self-Government Act to remove reference to the First Nations Land Management Act and include reference to the proposed name of this Bill.

Clause 128
This clause would amend subsection 26(1) of the First Nations Oil and Gas and Moneys Management Act to remove reference to the First Nations Land Management Act and include reference to the proposed name of this Bill. This amendment would also modify the term "First Nations Land Register" to "First Nation Lands Register".

Clause 129
This clause would amend section 55 of the First Nations Oil and Gas and Moneys Management Act to remove reference to the First Nations Land Management Act and include reference to the proposed name of this Bill.

Clause 130
This clause would amend subparagraph 62(b)(ii) of the First Nations Oil and Gas and Moneys Management Act to remove reference to the First Nations Land Management Act and include reference to the proposed name of this Bill and update the name of the First Nation Lands Register.

Clause 131
This clause would amend the definition of First Nation land in the First Nations Jurisdiction over Education in British Columbia Act. This amendment would remove reference to the First Nations Land Management Act and includes reference to the proposed name of this Bill.

Clause 132
This clause would amend section 13 of the Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement Act to remove reference to the First Nations Land Management Act and include reference to the proposed name of this Bill.

This clause would retain reference to the First Nations Land Management Act when referencing the Tsawwassen land code adopted under subsection 6(1) of that Act. However, the amendment would add the words "as it read before the coming into force of the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management Act" after referencing the First Nations Land Management Act.

Clause 133
This clause would amend section 22 of the Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement Act to change the reference from the First Nations Land Management Act to "to the First Nations Land Management Act as it read before the coming into force of this Bill".

Clause 134
This clause would amend section 24 and 25 of the Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement Act. This amendment would remove reference to the First Nations Land Management Act and includes reference to the proposed name of this Bill or indicate, as appropriate to maintain continuity, as it read before the coming into force of the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management Act."

Clause 135
This clause would amend paragraph (b) of the definition of "interest or right" in the Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act. To maintain continuity, this amendment would remove reference to the First Nations Land Management Act and includes reference to the proposed name of this Bill, as well as reference a land code within the meaning this Bill.

Clause 136
This clause would amend sections 12(2) of the Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act, to would remove reference to the First Nations Land Management Act and replace it with the proposed name of this Bill and when referring to land codes adopted by a First Nation, it would now reference the Framework Agreement.

Clause 137
This clause would amend paragraph 31(2)(b) of the Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act to remove reference to the First Nations Land Management Act and include reference to the proposed name of this Bill.

Clause 138
This clause would amend paragraph 36(3)(b) of the Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act to remove reference to the First Nations Land Management Act and include reference to the proposed name of this Bill. This amendment would also clarify that the term "First Nation" and "First Nation law" is defined within the meaning of this Bill.

Clause 139
This clause would amend paragraph 50(a) of the Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act to remove reference to the First Nations Land Management Act and includes reference to the proposed name of this Bill and clarify that the term "land code" is within the meaning of this Bill.

Clause 140
This clause would amend paragraph 55 of the Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act to remove reference to the First Nations Land Management Act and include reference to the proposed name of this Bill.

Clause 141
This clause would amend section 10 and 11 and remove section 12 of the Tla'amin Final Agreement Act. Reference to section 12 in section 10 would therefore also be removed. This amendment would remove reference to the First Nations Land Management Act and include reference to the proposed name of this Bill.

This clause would retain reference to the First Nations Land Management Act when referencing the Sliammon First Nation Land Code adopted under subsection 6(1) of that Act. However, the amendment would add the words "as it read before the coming into force of the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management Act after referencing the First Nations Land Management Act.

Clause 142
This clause would amend section 13 of the Tla'amin Final Agreement Act to remove reference to the First Nations Land Management Act and include reference to the proposed name of this Bill regarding indemnification. Where reference to the First Nations Land Management Act is required, the amendment would add the words "as it read before the coming into force of the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management Act.

Clause 143
This clause would repeal the First Nations Land Management Act.

If pressed on Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative

• This initiative supports projects that recognize the importance of traditional knowledge and practices and contribute to greater community safety for Indigenous Peoples.
• Projects include after-school programs for youth, safe streets and transportation initiatives, land-based activities, and culture and language programming, as well as initiatives to support the safety and well-being of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

Background

Announced in Budget 2021, the Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative provides $103.8 million over 5 years to assist First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and partners, both on and off-reserve, to implement Indigenous-designed projects to improve community safety and well-being. On November 28, 2022, the Government of Canada announced an additional investment of $20 million over four years to top up the Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities initiative.

The Pathways Initiative aims to fund services for Indigenous communities, women, children, and families across Canada – including First Nations, Inuit, Métis, urban, and Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual + (2SLGBTQQIA+) people. Funding recipients provide Indigenous Peoples with community services that are developed and implemented through an Indigenous lens, targeting the specific safety and well-being needs of the communities. The intention of the program is to assist Indigenous individuals and communities to:

• support the development and delivery of culturally relevant and community/organization identity specific safety and well-being initiatives
• address community safety and well-being needs that support reconciliation, resiliency, and capacity of Indigenous communities/organizations and their members, contribute to and promote a sense of belonging of community members, address intergenerational trauma, address systemic barriers and biases within existing systems, recognize the impact of lived experiences
• support Indigenous designed interventions and Indigenous definitions of safe, secure and resilient communities

Mary Coyle – Independent Seantors Group (ISG) Nova Scotia (Antigonish)

Biographical Information

Mary Coyle was appointed to the Senate in 2017 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Retires November 4, 2029).

Senator Coyle holds a diploma in French Language from the Université de Besançon in France and a Bachelor of Arts in Languages and Literature from the University of Guelph. She also has a Master of Arts in Rural Planning and Development from the University of Guelph.

In 1997, Senator Coyle joined St. Francis Xavier University, serving as Vice President and Director of the school's Coady International Institute, a centre of excellence in community-based development and leadership education.

Since 2014, Senator Coyle has worked as the Executive Director of the Frank McKenna Centre for Leadership at St. Francis Xavier University. She also continues to work as an advisor and facilitator for various organizations, including the Haitian Centre for Leadership and Excellence and the Friends United Indigenous Arts and Culture Initiative.

Senator Coyle played a role in the establishment of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, the Romeo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative, and the Indian School of Microfinance for Women.

On May 27, 2022, Senator Coyle received an honorary degree, Doctor of Business Management from the Meru University of Science and Technology in Kenya.

Senator Coyle serves on the Senate Aboriginal Peoples and Foreign Affairs Committees, and she is co-founder and co-chair of Senators for Climate Solutions.

Nancy J. Hartling – Independent Senators Group (ISG) New Brunswick

Biographical Information

Nancy J. Hartling was appointed to the Senate in 2016 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Retires November 10, 2034).

Senator Hartling completed two university degrees and founded the non-profit organization Support to Single Parents Inc. (SSPI) of which she was the Executive Director for thirty-four years. She has advocated locally, provincially and nationally on socio-economic issues facing single parents and their children, and has led innovative programs to address the challenges for low-income single mothers.

Senator Hartling was also a founding member of St. James Court Inc., an affordable housing complex for single parents. She has contributed to programs for the elderly and has been researching healthy aging and population needs. In her work she built and maintained partnerships with all levels of government, community agencies, universities and educational institutions, businesses and media. Her involvement on women's issues has been extensive, including co-chairing the provincial Minister's Working Group on Violence against Women, serving on the Board of the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre for Family Violence Research, co-chairing for New Brunswick for the Women's World March 2000, as well as lecturing at the University of New Brunswick.

Senator Hartling's record of achievement in community service, in organizational leadership and in advocacy has been recognized with several awards, such as the Governor General's Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case, the Community Spirit Award from the United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick, and the Order of New Brunswick.

David M. Arnot- Independent Senators Group (ISG) Saskatchewan

Biographical Information

David M. Arnot was appointed to the Senate in 2021 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Retires April 16, 2027).

Senator Arnot holds a Juris Doctor from the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan. His legal career serving the people of Saskatchewan started in 1976.

He worked as the federal Treaty Commissioner for the Province of Saskatchewan provincial court judge, a Crown prosecutor, and as Director General of Aboriginal Justice in the Department of Justice Canada.

In 1993, as a judge with the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan, Senator Arnot closely worked with the Poundmaker First Nation to pioneer the use of sentencing circles and restorative justice measures. In 2004, Senator Arnot's work on the "Teaching Treaties in the Classroom" project was recognized by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Racism.

Senator Arnot is the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, the Distinguished Service Award from the Canadian Bar Association's Saskatchewan Branch, the Miklos Kanitz Holocaust & Human Rights Award, and the University of Saskatchewan's Canada 150 Nation Builders alumnus award.

He was named CTV's 2016 Saskatoon Citizen of the Year and was recognized as one of Canada's top 150 Leaders and Innovators by the Transformation Institute for Leadership and Innovation in 2018.

Kim Pate – Independent Senators Group (ISG) Ontario

Biographical Information

Kim Pate was appointed to the Senate in 2016 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Retires: November 10, 2034).

Senator Pate graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 1984 with honours in the Clinical Law Program and has completed post graduate work in the area of forensic mental health. Trained as a teacher and a lawyer, she has been at the forefront of public education campaigns, research, and legislative and administrative reform at the regional, national and international level, and has spent nearly 40 years working in and around the legal and penal systems of Canada.

From 1992 to 2016, she worked with and on behalf of women in prison and provided support toward their reintegration into society in her role as the Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies (CAEFS). She has also shed light on the special needs of Indigenous women and their overrepresentation in Canadian federal prisons, and those with mental health issues.

A part-time professor in the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law, she has authored many articles in academic journals. She has also served on a host of boards, committees and advisory groups, and is currently on the advisory board of the National Women's Legal Mentoring Program, Human Rights International's Canadian Advocacy Committee, and Legal Aid Ontario's Prison Advisory Committee.

Senator Pate has developed and taught Prison Law, Human Rights and Social Justice and Defending Battered Women on Trial courses at the Faculties of Law at the University of Ottawa, Dalhousie University and the University of Saskatchewan.

Dan Christmas, (Deputy Chair) – Independent Senators Group (ISG) Nova Scotia

Biographical Information

Dan Christmas was appointed to the Senate in 2016 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Retires: September 10, 2031).

Senator Christmas is from Membertou, a First Nation of less than 2,000 on Cape Breton Island. He is the first Mi'kmaw Senator to be appointed to the Senate of Canada.

Senator Christmas has been actively involved in the implementation of Mi'kmaw Indigenous and treaty rights in Nova Scotia. He served as the Band Manager for the Community of Membertou for five years. He also worked for the Union of Nova Scotia Indians for 15 years, and served as Director for the last 10 years. He was elected councilor in Membertou for 18 years as well as a senior advisor to the First Nation for almost two decades.

Senator Christmas has been active in a number of international, national, provincial and local agencies in a wide range of fields including aboriginal & treaty rights, justice, policing, education, health care, human rights, adult training, business development and the environment. 

In 2005, Senator Christmas was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Dalhousie University and an honorary diploma from the Nova Scotia Community College in 2016. In 2008, he was the recipient of the National Excellence in Indigenous Leadership Award from the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of Canada.

Senator Christmas is the Deputy Chair of APPA.

Yonah Martin – Conservative Party of Canada (C) British Columbia (British Columbia)

Biographical Information

Yonah Martin was appointed to the Senate in 2009 by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. (Retires April 11, 2040).

Senator Martin is the first Canadian of Korean descent to serve in the Senate, and the first Korean-Canadian parliamentarian in Canadian history. After immigrating to Canada in 1972, she attended the University of British Columbia. Senator Martin had a 21-year teaching career prior to being appointed to the Senate.

Senator Martin is involved in bridging communities, and co-founded C3 Korean Canadian Society, along with several regional, national and international Boards and Advisory Councils.

From 2013 to 2015, she was the Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate, and was the Deputy Whip of the Government from 2011-2013. She is currently the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (since 2015).

In recognition of her community service in the Tri-Cities region, Yonah Martin was awarded the 2004 Spirit of Community Award for Cultural Harmony. In 2009, she was awarded the Order of Civil Merit Moran Medal by the president of the Republic of Korea for outstanding leadership and work in advancing the rights of overseas Koreans; and in 2012, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by Governor General David Johnston.

Dennis Glen Patterson - Canadian Senators Group (CSG) Nunavut

Biographical Information

Dennis Glen Patterson was appointed to the Senate in 2009 by Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Retires December 30, 2023).

Prior to his appointment, Senator Patterson (Nunavut) was Premier of the Northwest Territories.

As a member of the Legislative Assembly in the Northwest Territories, Senator Patterson served as Minister of Education, Minister of Health and Social Services and Minister of Justice, culminating in his service as Premier between 1987 and 1991.

He played a key role in the settlement of the Inuvialuit final agreement and the Nunavut final land claim agreement. Senator Patterson also served as a leader of the more than twenty-year campaign which led to the establishment of Nunavut as Canada's newest territory in 1999.

After serving as Premier, Senator Patterson established a private consulting firm, was admitted to the Law Society of Nunavut in 2001 and since 2003 has been a Trustee and, until September 2015, was the Chair of Governance, Compensation and Nomination Committee of the Northern Property Real Estate Investment Trust.

Senator Patterson is a former Chair of APPA during the 41st Parliament.

Scott Tannas – Canadian Senators Group (CSG) Alberta

Biographical Information

Scott Tannas was appointed to the Senate in 2013 by Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Retires: February 25, 2037).

Prior to his appointment, Senator Tannas was the founder, president and CEO of Western Financial Group Inc.

Senator Tannas is currently the director of a number of private and public businesses, a member of the Ranchmen's Club of Calgary, and fundraiser for SOS Children's Villages Canada, and chairman of the Western Communities Foundation. He is an advisor to the next generation of leaders at Western Financial Group. He is also founder and CEO of Western Investment Company of Canada which invests in strong successful enterprises headquartered in western Canada.

Senator Tannas is the Leader of the Canadian Senators Group and Senate Reform one of his key issues. He was a founding member of the Special Senate Committee on Senate Modernization, which delivered a series of reports advocating sweeping changes to the operations of the Senate, and he is also a member of the Aboriginal Peoples Committee and the Committee of Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.

Sandra M. Lovelace Nicholas – Progressive Senate Group (PSG) New Brunswick

Biographical Information

Sandra M. Lovelace Nicholas was appointed to the Senate in 2005 by Prime Minister Paul Martin. (Retires April 15, 2023).

Senator Lovelace studied at St. Thomas University for three years and has a degree in residential construction from the Maine Northern Technical College. She is a Maliseet woman from the Tobique First Nation, NB. She has helped to secure rights for Aboriginal women in Canada, and is one of the Indigenous Famous Six. In the 1980s into the 1990s, she and five others challenged discriminatory provisions of the Indian Act, which deprived Aboriginal women of their status when they married non-Aboriginals. She was instrumental in bringing the case before the United Nations Human Rights Commission and lobbying for the 1985 legislation which reinstated the rights of First Nation women and their children in Canada.

In 1990, Senator Lovelace Nicholas was awarded the Order of Canada, and in 1992, she received the Governor General's Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case.

Brian Francis, (Chair) – Progressive Senate Group (PSG) Prince Edward Island

Biographical Information

Brian Francis was appointed to the Senate in 2018 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. (Retires September 28, 2032).

Senator Francis completed a four-year apprenticeship in carpentry and became the first Indigenous person in PEI to receive his inter-provincial red seal trade certificate. He went on to obtain a Certificate in Conflict Resolution Studies from the University of Prince Edward Island.

Senator Francis has 40 years of combined experience in government positions from the front lines to management. He served in various capacities with the public service including from 2002 to 2007 as the Aboriginal Coordinator with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, where he acted as a point of contact for Prince Edward Island First Nations on fisheries related matters. Coming from a fishing family, he used his years of knowledge and firsthand experience to assist the Prince Edward Island First Nations with implementing their funding agreements. Senator Francis led the development of various infrastructure projects including a biodiversity and enhancement hatchery to support conservation and sustainability, a water tower to secure reliable access to safe drinking water, and developments to increase access to safer and secure housing.In addition, Senator Francis was one of the formal signatories to the Canada/Prince Edward Island/Mi'kmaq Partnership Agreement and the Canada/Prince Edward Island/Mi'kmaq Consultation Agreement, which set out a framework for consultation on proposed actions or decisions that could adversely impact asserted or established Aboriginal and treaty rights in the province.

From 2007-2018, Senator Francis was the elected Chief and Band Administrator of the Abegweit Mi'kmaq Nation. During his term, he worked to improve the social, economic and cultural well-being of his community.

In June 2021, Senator Francis sponsored a bill in the Senate that led to the federal establishment of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30 of each year. Senator Francis subsequently advocated for Prince Edward Island to follow suit. In October 2021, Prince Edward Island became the first province to officially designate September 30 as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Senator Francis is the Chair of APPA.

Patrick Brazeau – Non-affiliated Quebec (Repentigny)

Biographical Information

Patrick Brazeau was appointed to the Senate in 2008 by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. (Retires: November 11, 2049).

Senator Brazeau is a member of the Algonquin community of Kitigan Zibi, and was the National Chief of the Congress of Indigenous Peoples (CAP) from February 2006-January 2009.

He served in the Canadian Armed Forces and holds a diploma in Social Sciences from Heritage College and has also studied Civil Law at the University of Ottawa.

Senator Brazeau is an advocate for mental health, and accountability, responsibility and transparency regarding Indigenous Affairs. He is a founding member of the board of directors of the Montreal-based Aquarium Foundation, a not-for-profit, charitable organization dedicated to promoting the well-being of today's children, adolescents and young adults.

He is vocal proponent for the replacement of the Indian Act with more progressive legislation that aims to reconstitute true historical First Nations, including jurisdiction over their own affairs. He supported the efforts to hold an inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and also he supported fundraising money for cancer research.