Jaime Battiste
- Born
- October 18, 1979
- Education
- Degree in Mi’kmaq studies from Cape Breton University; Juris Doctor from the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University
- Career
- Co-chair of the Assembly of First Nations National Youth Council; AFN regional chief; Member of the Content Advisory Committee for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
- Political Experience
- Elected as member of Parliament for Sydney—Victoria in 2019; Chair of Liberal Indigenous Caucus in 2019; Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations (2021-present)
- Notable
- First Mi'kmaw member of Parliament (MP) in Canada; Negotiated the memorandum of understanding that established treaty education in Nova Scotia; Awarded the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers in 2017; His band, 2nd Generation, won an East Coast Music Award in 2024
Where Jaime falls on key policy spectrums
Your Money
People & Society
How We're Governed
Land & Community
Jaime Battiste won with 24,908 votes (51.6%)
Total votes cast: 48,278
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Senator, for all the work you've done on this legislation and getting it to where it is today. I think you probably saw from first reading that you have support from all parties for this. One thing many folks asked me in the weeks leading up to first reading was what our government's position was and whether we were going to support this. I was really pleased to [more]
Thank you very much.
Senator, in the last minute that I have, for those people who reach out to me now and ask, “Who do I reach out to to see if this is applicable to me and if there's someone I can talk to?”, you would recommend going to the survivors circle. Can you tell me how we can direct people to that organization? What's the best way for us to help those people who feel victimized by what this bill helps to [more]
Because we're in public, I need to correct the record a bit on education rates. When the Mi'kmaq took over education in Nova Scotia with Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey, our graduation rates went from around 60% to about 90% with the Mi'kmaq schools. We are seeing progress across Canada and in a lot of different areas. When education is highlighted, I always have to talk about the good work of Mi'kmaw [more]
That's a yes. Okay, there are no more questions from the Liberals. We have our directions.
Would you like it passed speedily through this committee? “Speedily”—that's a word I created.
Are we suggesting that we not keep going with the legislation we have and pause everything we're doing on legislation for this, or is this something we can look at after the legislation we're trying to pass goes through?
I'd like to thank the witnesses for their testimony today. Thank you for your innovation on this. I think a modern treaty commissioner is an excellent avenue that we can pursue as first nations all across the country, and I know this is just related to the modern treaty partners. My question is very short and to the point: Do you support the current legislation as written, or do you believe [more]