It is the end of July, a time when federal politicians are usually either holidaying or hitting the barbecue circuit. But this week, at least one group of federal MPs are being called back to work on Parliament Hill.

The Commons' aboriginal affairs and northern development committee is being reconvened to continue work on Bill C-44.

This bill would extend the redress mechanism of the Canadian Human Rights Act to native people, particularly native women who have been lobbying strenuously for it for some time, to counter perceived discrimination by certain band councils. The proposed changes should go through. The question is when.

When the Canadian Human Rights Act was enacted 30 years ago, the Liberal government at the time put in place what was to be a temporary measure that prevented aboriginal people from lodging complaints against First Nations' governments or even the federal government if the actions were covered by the Indian Act.

This provision was never repealed and now aboriginals want the same protection as other Canadians.

Conservative MPs on the native affairs committee want to reconvene the committee this week to complete clause by clause review of Bill C-44. They are positioning themselves as the defenders of aboriginal rights and say they want this bill passed quickly.

But the opposition parties see another motive. They believe the Conservative want to ram the bill through before this current session is prorogued (and legislative business has to start all over again), a move that many feel will take place this fall.

While all parties agree on the principle of these amendments, opposition MPs complain that there has not been enough consultation with band leaders and that nothing has been put in place should some natives decide to file a flurry of complaints.

So, this Thursday, MPs on the committee will return to Ottawa. But the opposition parties, who hold the balance of power on the committee, will table a motion to suspend work until September. And that will be that, a summer reminder of how things really work in Ottawa.