The committee met at 0900 in committee room 1.

Committee business

The Chair (Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong): Good morning, colleagues. The Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs will now come to order.

There are a few items for our consideration today. The letter from the House leaders regarding the Indigenous representation—everyone has a copy. At our meeting last week, I pointed out that there was a follow-up letter from the Speaker, and we shared this with members of the committee, regarding work related to the statue of Sir John A. Macdonald and that request that we had, that mandate in the previous Parliament. Later that same meeting day, a letter was received from the House leaders notifying our committee that the motion has been passed in the House, and the motion reads as follows:

“That the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs continue its work from the 43rd Parliament respecting Indigenous representation as part of the Legislative Building rehabilitation.”

The letter and the motion reiterated the House’s support for the work being done by the committee to ensure Indigenous perspectives are being reflected on the grounds of the Ontario Legislative Assembly.

Are there any questions on that matter? MPP Gallagher Murphy?

M^me Dawn Gallagher Murphy: Oh, sorry. I’m just holding my tea up.

The Chair (Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong): It’s like an auction. We’re all good?

In summary: They’re allowing us to continue the work.

The next item on our agenda is that we’re going to get an update from the Clerk with respect to the meeting with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. So I’ll turn it over to Clerk Christopher.

The Clerk of the Committee (Mr. Christopher Tyrell): I’ve been in touch with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We were trying to find a date, per the committee’s request, to meet with them and to discuss the renovation-restoration project at Queen’s Park and their input on that. We have a date from them. The date they have proposed for us to travel and attend their council meeting is June 24. It’s a Tuesday, three weeks from now, I believe. That’s the update. So June 24 is the day they have proposed. If the committee is okay with that, I can get back to them and let them know that we are okay with this date or, if not, we can propose an alternate date, but they have us on the agenda for their council meeting on the 24th of June.

The Chair (Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong): Any discussion?

Mr. Tyler Allsopp: I’ll just give everyone a moment to check their calendars. I know this is an important meeting that’s been planned for quite a while, or in discussion for quite a while, so I think it’s important if we can—we can shuffle some things around and make sure we get there on the 24th.

M^me Dawn Gallagher Murphy: I’ve always said, “We’ll change the schedule.”

The Chair (Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong): Yes, so there’s enough lead time that people—if you have an appointment, it should be reasonable.

MPP Vickers, do you have a—

MPP Paul Vickers: I don’t know whether I can make it. Is it mandatory for all of us to be there at the council meeting? Is it super important that all of us show up to show that—

The Chair (Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong): If there’s something you can’t change, obviously we have to respect that. However, from my perspective, I would just say it’s important that we all show up, just because we want to make sure we’re showing the interest that we want to hear.

MPP Paul Vickers: Yes, and I guess that’s my question.

The Chair (Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong): But we understand that sometimes there are things that happen.

Ms. Laura Smith: MPP Amarjot Sandhu has a question.

The Chair (Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong): MPP Sandhu?

Mr. Amarjot Sandhu: Just a question, actually: June 24 is the only day, or can we do it some other day as well? Because I’m not here on June 24.

The Chair (Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong): We wanted to have it when we rose from the Legislature and at least have it by the month of June. So they have—is it a weekly meeting? Yes, they have a weekly meeting for council and that’s the date they proposed, June 24.

Ms. Laura Smith: Thank you so much, Chair. Could I have the location? Semantics—I just want to see. Where does this happen?

The Chair (Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong): I’ll pass you to the Clerk.

The Clerk of the Committee (Mr. Christopher Tyrell): They’re located in Hagersville, Ontario, which is just southwest of Hamilton, I believe.

Ms. Laura Smith: Okay, so it’s a day trip.

The Clerk of the Committee (Mr. Christopher Tyrell): Yes.

Interjection.

The Chair (Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong): The time? The time they are proposing is, we understand, 1 o’clock.

Ms. Laura Smith: Very doable.

The Chair (Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong): Yes. Sorry, excuse me—that was last time they proposed it.

The Clerk of the Committee (Mr. Christopher Tyrell): The last time was 1 o’clock.

The Chair (Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong): Last session, they proposed 1 o’clock. We’re not so sure, this time, when we’ll be starting.

Ms. Laura Smith: So we should block it off?

The Chair (Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong): Yes.

Ms. Laura Smith: Okay. I will do my best to be there.

The Chair (Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong): Thank you, MPP Smith.

Any other discussion? You’re good?

If we could have everyone reply to the Clerk, by June 13, if you can make it or not make it, then we can go further with the plans as to the timing etc. I know the Clerk mentioned he has to book transportation etc. Okay?

Mr. Tyler Allsopp: Could we maybe do a 15-second refresher for MPP Hsu?

Mr. Ted Hsu: Just to catch up.

The Chair (Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong): Yes, I was just going to say, MPP Hsu, we had two items today on the agenda.

One of them was the letter following up from the House leaders, that we are continuing our work to consult—yes, that was one—and if there was any discussion on that. I don’t know if you have any comments or anything. You’re good with that?

The second item the Clerk reported on is that the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation have responded for June 24 as a meeting. It is on a Tuesday. We are all hoping that everyone can make it and to clear their schedules in advance. We are asking for everyone to reply to the Clerk by the 13th of June if they can make it. We’re not sure what time we’re going to meet during the 24th, but once we know if that’s a confirmed date, the Clerk will get back to us with the time.

Mr. Jeff Burch: Can you send something out?

The Chair (Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong): Yes. The Clerk will send something out, absolutely.

Those were the two items. You’re good? Okay.

Any further discussion, comments or observations? No? Good. All right. Thank you, everyone.

The committee adjourned at 0907.

STANDING COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURE AND HOUSE AFFAIRS

Chair / Présidente

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong (London–Fanshawe ND)

First Vice-Chair / Première Vice-Présidente

Ms. Laura Smith (Thornhill PC)

Second Vice-Chair / Deuxième Vice-Président

Mr. Ted Hsu (Kingston and the Islands / Kingston et les Îles L)

Mr. Tyler Allsopp (Bay of Quinte / Baie de Quinte PC)

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong (London–Fanshawe ND)

Mr. Jeff Burch (Niagara Centre / Niagara-Centre ND)

MPP Billy Denault (Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke PC)

M^me Dawn Gallagher Murphy (Newmarket–Aurora PC)

Mr. Ted Hsu (Kingston and the Islands / Kingston et les Îles L)

Mr. Amarjot Sandhu (Brampton West / Brampton-Ouest PC)

Ms. Laura Smith (Thornhill PC)

MPP Paul Vickers (Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound PC)

Substitutions / Membres remplaçants

Also taking part / Autres participants et participantes

Clerk / Greffier

Mr. Christopher Tyrell

Staff / Personnel