Ron Irwin

[Indian Affairs, February 23rd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, when I was much younger I was very influenced by, as a matter of fact, a Tory. I hate to say this, but it is true. Former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker came to Sault Ste. Marie and said that he loved this House and because it was partisan it did not mean that we could not walk away friends. He loved the partisanship. That is the way I approach this House of Commons. I could never love it as much as he did. I could never be as good as he was.

What I am saying is that I do not believe I made such a statement. I have gone further. I have checked with others who attended the same meeting and they do not remember such a statement being made. It is unfortunate that such an impression is being created. It is unfortunate that the Reform Party is being dragged into the wrong side of this issue.

The Reform Party does not want to be on the side of this issue where they in fact look like or appear to be supporting the rich against the poor, women who should be back in the band on the side of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Twinn.

[Indian Affairs, February 23rd, 1994]

We personed that bill. Today we are back again saying there is poverty, there is richness, there is discrimination and non-discrimination, but we stand on the side of those who are discriminated against and those who are poor. That is the story of what is happening over here.

[Indian Affairs, February 23rd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the question is what evidence. The evidence is before the Federal Court.

Right now the Sawridge band under Senator Twinn and his family has a case before the court which in essence says that the Bill C-31-women should not be able to come back and share.

As a government in the early 1980s we brought legislation into the Constitution which would do away with that. In essence it says that a woman should not be discriminated against solely because she is a woman. That is the basis of it.

We supported the development of Bill C-31 which was brought in by the Conservative government, but we fathered that bill. Today we are back and we are saying the issue is this, do you support-

[Reform Party, February 22nd, 1994]

I am sure, Mr. Speaker, that the Reform Party does not hate Indians. I do not think anybody in this House hates Indians. But I would like the Reform Party to be a little bit more generous in looking at the aspirations of one of the poorest, most deserving groups of Canadians that we have in our country.

If we cannot together solve the problems of 1.5 million of our citizens, then this nation has no hope.

[Reform Party, February 22nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I do have some concerns about the positions of the Reform Party. I have sat in the House watching them attack immigrants. I have sat in the House and watched one of their members put out a brochure in which he quotes with favour-

[Indian Affairs, February 22nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, again to the hon. member, I hope that the Reform Party will show some consideration toward the aspirations of the aboriginal people. I am prepared to work with the Reform Party toward the inherent right to self-government.

Today I would ask the hon. member to stand in his place and say that he believes the inherent right to self-government belongs to the aboriginal people.

[Indian Affairs, February 22nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, if my hon. friend would care to read it, this is a very important component of the red book. We are committed to devolving and getting rid of the Indian Act in a morally and pragmatic manner over a number of years. That is what the non-native community wants. That is what the native community wants. Hopefully the government with some perseverance will be able to deliver.

[Indian Affairs, February 22nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I am getting a lot of exercise getting up and down that I am not getting at the gymnasium which I cannot find. The answer is yes.

[Indian Affairs, February 22nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated, certainly.

[Indian Affairs, February 22nd, 1994]

Again, Mr. Speaker, if I might reiterate, this is an allegation. Even though it is done in the protection of the House and not outside, perhaps it should be treated a lot more carefully but my learned friend obviously does not want to.

If the allegation is that there was an irregular payment to anyone at a band level or with whom we are dealing with, any place in government, then bring forward the evidence and we will check it out.

At the same time I have asked my official to check out the allegation and look into the books of the former Tory government to see what is there. I am quite prepared to give that information to my friend.