Katrina Peddle made a statement and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.

Martin Shields moved, —

That, given that the NDP-Liberal carbon tax is set to increase by 23% on April 1st, 2024;

That most First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people live in rural areas that require access to affordable, stable, and reliable gas, groceries, and home heating to live;

That the Chiefs of Ontario have deemed the carbon tax discriminatory against First Nations, calling on the government to axe the tax, and, after the government refused to do so, filed for judicial review with support from Assembly of First Nations Chief Cindy Woodhouse; and

That the Premiers of seven provinces and the Premier of Northwest Territories have called for the government to spike the hike.

The committee:

a) recognize that the carbon tax disproportionately affects First Nations, Inuit, and Métis;

b) recognize that Indigenous communities across Canada are engaged in the development of natural resource projects for the benefit of current and future generations contributing to economic reconciliation; and

Debate arose thereon.

Jaime Battiste moved, — That the debate be now adjourned.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Jaime Battiste, Ben Carr, Pam Damoff, Leah Gazan, Sébastien Lemire, Michael V. McLeod, Marcus Powlowski — 7;

NAYS: Eric Melillo, Jamie Schmale, Martin Shields, Bob Zimmer — 4.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.

Eric Melillo gave notice of the following motion:

Given that First Nations and Inuit police services do important work to keep members of the communities they serve safe, that, in the opinion of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs, these police services provide an essential service and should be declared essential, and that this be reported to the house.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.

At 12:31 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:39 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.