Agreed.

---Agreed

No, Mr. Chairman. I would like the support of my colleagues to bring in witnesses.

The Minister would like to have witnesses join him. Do Members agree?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Sergeant-at-Arms, maybe you could show people where they have to sit.

People seem to be settled so maybe, Mr. Nerysoo, you could introduce, for the record, your witnesses please.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On my immediate right is Mr. Hal Gerein, deputy minister; on my immediate left is Gail Joyce, director of policy and planning; on the far left is Carol Whitehouse, legislative counsel; immediately behind me is Eric Colbourne; and, on my right, behind me, is Janet Grinsted, senior policy advisor. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Clause By Clause

Thank you very much, Mr. Nerysoo. Yesterday, we had a motion on the floor, which is an amendment to clause 4 and we were debating that issue when we finished committee of the whole yesterday. Mr. Dent, to the motion.

There's a motion on the floor to defer. The motion to defer isn't debatable. The motion is in order. All those in favour? Would you put your hands up if you want to defer this, please?

All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

So we will go on to the next clause, which is clause 5. It is on page 8. Mr. Antoine.

Are we done clause 4?

No.

Mr. Chairman, are we still on clause 4?

We just moved deferral of consideration of this amendment, Mr. Antoine. Therefore, we have to go on to clause 5, then come back to clause 4.

There was just that one motion on clause 4 that dealt with school hours, but I have another point I want to raise regarding clause 4.

I need to get some advice on this, Mr. Antoine.

This is a complex issue dealing with drafting, the numbering of clauses, and where we go next if we have deferred clause 4.1. Until we deal with that deferred issue, we don't know whether clause 4 has been dealt with. That is why I suggested we go on to clause 5. However, Mr. Ningark could still proceed with 4.2, if he wished to. I would have to wait and see if he wants to do that. I defer to Mr. Hamilton to give us some advice on where we go with this complicated issue. Mr. Hamilton.

Mr. Chairman, it is my understanding that clause 4 was agreed to yesterday. Mr. Ningark's proposed motion was to add a new clause, which would be numbered as clause 4.1, but it is a brand new clause. It has nothing to do with the previously approved clause 4. So if the Member wishes to add another new clause to the bill, then that is quite permissible at this stage. Our concern would be regarding what would happen to 4.1. It is quite in order for Mr. Antoine, if he wishes to propose a motion that would add a new clause 4.2, to do that at this stage.

Okay. Mr. Antoine, would you make your point.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for that clarification. Mr. Chairman, I would like to add another clause, clause 4.2, but it all depends on whether 4.1 passes or not. This is clause 4.2.

Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 25 by amended by adding the following after proposed section 4.1:

4.2.Nothing in this act shall be interpreted so as to affect aboriginal rights.

I want to make sure everyone has a copy of the motion. Your motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. Koe.

Can I ask legal counsel if aboriginal rights include treaty rights?

Thank you, Mr. Koe. Ms. MacPherson.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, they do.