Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs facts for kids
The House of Commons Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs (INAN) is a special group of people from the House of Commons of Canada. Think of it like a school club, but for important government topics! This committee used to be called the House of Commons Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.
What the Committee Does (Mandate)
The Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs was created in 1968. That's a long time ago! It was set up by a government department that worked with Indigenous peoples.
The committee's main job is to study and discuss anything related to how the government works with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. They also look at issues in northern parts of Canada. This includes laws, programs, and policies that affect these communities.
For example, they might look at how programs help First Nations people living on reserves. They also consider issues for First Nations people living off reserves, and for Métis and Inuit communities. Since 2004, the committee also helps the Minister who works with Indigenous and Northern Affairs.
Who is on the Committee (Membership)
This committee is made up of Members of Parliament (MPs). These are the people Canadians elect to represent them in the House of Commons. They work together to discuss important issues and make recommendations to the government.
Here are the members of the committee:
| Party | Member | Riding | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | Bob Bratina, Chair | Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON | |
| Liberal | Gary Anandasangaree | Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON | |
| Liberal | Jaime Battiste | Sydney—Victoria, NS | |
| Liberal | Marcus Powlowski | Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON | |
| Liberal | Adam van Koeverden | Milton, ON | |
| Liberal | Lenore Zann | Cumberland—Colchester, NS | |
| Conservative | Jamie Schmale, Vice-Chair | Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON | |
| Conservative | Gary Vidal | Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK | |
| Conservative | Arnold Viersen | Peace River—Westlock, AB | |
| Conservative | Bob Zimmer | Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC | |
| New Democratic | Mumilaaq Qaqqaq | Nunavut, NU | |
The Chair is like the leader of the committee. They make sure meetings run smoothly. The Vice-Chair helps the Chair and takes over if the Chair is not there. A Riding is the area that an MP represents in Parliament.
Smaller Groups (Sub-Committees)
Sometimes, a big committee might create smaller groups to focus on specific tasks. These are called sub-committees. They help the main committee do its work more efficiently.
- Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure (SINA)
