Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in reply to the statement from the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. I do so on behalf of my Canadian Alliance colleagues and as the chairman of the leader's advisory committee on Indian and Northern Affairs.
My role in that position is to listen to band members, ranchers, the tourism industry, businesses and other Canadians affected by this act. I would be pleased to share my findings with the minister.
The Canadian Alliance has long advocated for and on behalf of aboriginal people, the people who make up the bands themselves, the people who are all too often living in squalid conditions, with poor or limited health care. They suffer from exceptionally high rates of diabetes, alcohol and drug abuse, infant mortality, fetal alcohol syndrome and high rates of suicide, particularly among their youth.
The Canadian Alliance upholds the principle of accountability, fiscal and electoral accountability. The privilege of being elected to a position of leadership means that we will accurately reflect the needs of all of constituents, not just those who agree with us. The privilege of being elected to a position of leadership means that we must use and distribute funds and resources wisely among all of those who need them. The privilege of being elected to a position of leadership means that we must bear the burden of making hard but fair decisions.
The Canadian Alliance has long stated that the Indian Act does not work. The act is repressive and has long been in need of a major overhaul.
I am pleased to hear that the minister has acted accordingly and is willing to make serious changes to the way in which our aboriginal people are governed. His announcement early this week regarding the first nations governance act and his comments today are a welcome first step.
The Canadian Alliance supports the consultation process announced in this proposed bill. I do, however, wish to comment that the consultation process must be taken seriously. It must be transparent and real. It must truly listen to the people, not just the aboriginal leadership. It is easy to consult with organized groups such as the AFN and chiefs. It is not easy to truly listen to the rank and file members. The Canadian Alliance will ensure that those voices and concerns, both native and non-native, are heard and listened to during this process.
While the proposed bill refers to governments, there is much debate over the term self-government. Parliamentarians, together with all the people of Canada, must ensure that everyone knows what self-government means.
I urge the minister and departmental officials to listen carefully to provincial and municipal governments throughout the process. These levels of government will, as the minister has indicated, be engaged at the appropriate level. The term self-government can be interpreted in a variety of ways and requires clarification.
In my home province of B.C., the majority of land claims are still pending. As the settlement process moves along it is imperative that all stakeholders play an active role in the process as we move toward native self-governance. Furthermore, we must together ensure that the proper human, logistical and financial resources are available to aboriginal people as they move toward self-government.
One of our past failings has been to quickly pass responsibility to native bands without the proper analysis and without assisting them through the transition period to ensure they do not fall between the cracks. Taking responsibility for a service such as health care is important. However if the resources are not in place to manage it then a disservice is done to the people who need the health care. We must proceed down this path cautiously but with the aim of effecting real change.
The minister has heard correctly from aboriginal people and the Canadian Alliance that the status quo is not acceptable. The system is not working. If it were, aboriginal people would not be facing the dire conditions seen on so many reserves today. The status quo is not acceptable, but I would caution the minister not to rush the process. Broad based consultation is appropriate and right. I ask the minister to find ways to ensure that all aboriginal people can provide feedback. Chat rooms are a viable method, but let us remember that many aboriginal people do not have access to computers. The consultation process must gather information from all stakeholders using a wide variety of methods.
Contrary to what the minister would have Canadians believe, the Canadian Alliance is about strengthening all people, including aboriginal people. Unfortunately the Indian Act and the government have done a good job of eroding the strength of most Canadians. We are not here to create division. We must instead work to create harmony and better understanding among all people.
The Canadian Alliance cautiously looks forward to the first phase of the government's act. I urge all aboriginal people to ensure that the minister hears their voice. This is their opportunity to take control of their own future.
