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BACKGROUND.
As an aid to researchers, the Legislative Library (Legislative
Building, Queen's Park, Toronto Ontario, M7A 1A9, tel. 416-325-3900)
has published three invaluable guides to Royal Commissions
and Select Committees. They are:
WAINTMAN, Susan, and TAMPOLD, Ava, comp. Ontario Royal
Commissions and Commissions of Inquiry 1867-1978: A Checklist
of Reports. Toronto: Legislative Library, Research and Information
Services, 1980.
WAINTMAN, Susan, comp. Ontario Royal Commissions and Commissions
of Inquiry 1979-1984: A Checklist of Reports. Toronto: Legislative
Library, Research and Information Services, 1985. This volume
contain consolidated indexes by subject and name of commissioner
for both works.
BARNES, Eleanor, and JOZAPAVICUS, Danguloe, comp. Select
Committees of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario 1867-1978:
A Checklist of Reports. Toronto: Legislative Library, Research
and Information Services, 1983.
These publications list only those Commissions and Select
Committees for which the Archives of Ontario or the Legislative
Library have holdings. It is not a complete list of all
Commissions and Select Committees ever held.
114. RG 18 Series A.
Commissions and Committees. Pre-Confederation,
Province of Canada. - 1840-1867. - 2.25 linear feet.
BACKGROUND.
This series contains reports of various commissions appointed
by the Governor of Canada, as well as reports of special
committees of the Legislative Assembly.
CONTENT.
There is one Commission relating to Aboriginal affairs listed
in the Finding Aid. Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs
Richard T. Pennefather was appointed in 1856 to make recommendations
about the future management of Native Affairs. See:
Series A-9. Special Commission to Investigate Indian Affairs.
- 1858. - 2 linear inches.
This report was printed as Appendix 21 to the
Journals of the Legislative Assembly 1858. This series contains
four copies of the final report.
FINDING AID. Yes. There is a Inventory
to pre-Confederation commissions and committees. For further
information about the Pennefather commission and earlier
inquiries, researchers should consult John F. LESLIE, Commissions
of Inquiry into Indian Affairs in the Canadas 1828-1858.
Ottawa: Treaties and Historical Research Centre, Federal
Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Canada,
1985.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Open.
115. RG 18 Series B.
Post-Confederation Commissions and Committees. -
1230.5 linear feet.
BACKGROUND.
Because Native Affairs became a federal responsibility after
1867, Ontario Commissions and Committees deal only indirectly
with Aboriginal people.
CONTENT.
Several commissions have material of interest. See, for
example, the following sub-series:
Sub-series B-11. Ontario Game and Fish
Commission Report. - 1892. - 2 linear inches.
Though many residents of Ontario were canvassed
for their opinions on a number of matters related to hunting
and fishing, no Aboriginal people were consulted. Any mention
of them is negative -- i.e. as violators of provincial laws.
The holdings include the Report of the Commission. (Pp.
483).
Sub-series B-34. Ontario Game and Fisheries
Commission. - 1911. - 1 linear inch.
Arthur Kelly Evans was appointed 17 July 1909
to investigate all matters pertaining to wildlife in the
province, especially anything that might injuriously affect
their numbers or well-being. The holdings include the Interim
report (5 February 1910) and the final report (7 March 1911)
printed as Sessional Paper #52 in 1912. The Final Report,
especially Pgs. 198-202, was generally negative to Indian
hunting and fishing, and recommends application of the game
laws of Ontario to Indians on all public lands and waters.
Photos of Aboriginal people and other references scattered
through text.
Sub-series B-123. Royal Commission on
Sarnia Indian Lands. - 1960. - 1.5 linear feet.
Mr. Justice G.A. McGillivray of the Supreme Court
of Ontario was appointed to investigate Ontario Hydro's
purchase of 175.6 acres of the Sarnia Indian Reserve from
Dimension Investments Ltd. After examining allegations that
Hydro had paid too much, and that the Indian Band had been
paid too little, Justice McGillivray found no evidence of
wrongdoing or negligence on anyone's part. The holdings
include the Report of the Commission with appendices (1
November 1960; Pp. 133), a record of the Proceedings 13
April-13 September 1960 (Pp. 3951), plus numerous Exhibits.
Discusses legal questions relating to surrender of Indian
lands.
Sub-series B-167. Royal Commission on
Electric Power Planning. - 1975-1980. - 6 linear feet.
Arthur Porter was appointed by the Davis government
in 1975 to examine plans for the delivery of electric power
in Ontario. The Commission generated considerable material
on Aboriginal people, particularly in Northern Ontario.
Mr. Porter and his staff took evidence from various Aboriginal
people and Bands and visited reserves throughout the province.
There is file list available in Box 1 of the series.
FINDING AID. Yes. See the RG 18 Inventory.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Open.
116. RG 18.
Royal Commission on the Northern Environment. -
1977-1985. UNPROCESSED.
BACKGROUND.
Ontario Supreme Court Justice E. Patrick Hartt was appointed
in 1977 to investigate development proposals and assess
environmental and aboriginal concerns in Ontario north of
the 50th parallel. He was succeeded as Commissioner by mining
company executive J.E.J. Fahlgren.
CONTENT.
The Hartt/Fahlgren Commission visited all communities in
the study area and heard lengthy testimony from Aboriginal
people. A variety of historical and socioeconomic reports
were also produced by and for the Commission.
FINDING AID.
Researchers should consult the portfolio archivist.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Restricted under a Provincial
Statute.
117. RG 18 Series D-I-53.
Select Committee on Civil Liberties and Rights
of Indians in Ontario. - 1953-1954.
BACKGROUND.
The Hon. William A. Goodfellow (P.C.), Minister of Public
Welfare, was appointed chairman of a committee recommended
by Premier Leslie Frost on 2 April 1953, following the passage
of federal Bill 37 (1953) into law. That bill addressed
the extension of more rights to Aboriginal peoples and increased
provincial assistance, in concert with the federal Department
of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, for social services
and improvements in living standards.
CONTENT.
The proceedings, reports, and miscellaneous correspondence
are available.
FINDING AID. None.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Open |
