House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 17% of the vote.
Aboriginal Affairs June 11th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I could ask the hon. member why her party is voting against each and every step we take to try and improve the situation.
The fact of the matter is that today marks the fifth anniversary of the Prime Minister's historic apology to Indian residential school survivors, their families and communities.
The road to reconciliation is not an easy one, but we shall overcome the obstacles. We are determined to do so.
Aboriginal Affairs June 11th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the legacy of the Indian residential schools is still felt today by aboriginal people all across Canada. That is why we are placing such importance on reconciliation and the restoration of Canada's relationship with aboriginal people.
We must forge a new relationship based on an appreciation of our shared history, a respect for each other's cultures and traditions and an honest desire to move forward.
First Nations Elections Act June 11th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I am laughing because the member brought up parliamentary procedure. I was thinking about the period from 1984 to 1993, when I sat in the House of Commons on the government side.
I watched federal politics closely for more than 20 years before I returned in 2011. My experience in Parliament has taught me one thing: when the opposition systematically prevents Canadians—and in this case, first nations—from benefiting from a bill, the government should do everything it can to get the bill passed as quickly as possible, which is what we are doing.
First Nations Elections Act June 11th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, he opens the door, but he does not want us to come in. He should just reword his questions.
The fact remains that it is important to pass Bill S-6 in order to give first nations living under the Indian Act the means to have transparent and open elections. These elections will in turn create a better climate in first nations for the economic, cultural and social development of their communities.
First Nations Elections Act June 11th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member mentioned competence.
In this regard, I would remind him, along with all my colleagues in the House and all Canadians, that this government's legislative agenda and the actions it took helped the country come out of the recession that took such a devastating toll across the world.
Just last month, about 95,000 new jobs were created in the country. This is the result of the Conservative government's policies. In addition to successfully creating so many jobs for Canadians over this short term, the government has also lowered taxes to a level where a typical small Canadian family consisting of a father, a mother and two children is saving $3,200 per year.
Perhaps $3,200 a year does not seem like much to an opposition member, but to an individual or a small family...
First Nations Elections Act June 11th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member for Lambton—Kent—Middlesex is absolutely right in terms of the current situation.
The Indian Act election system contains several weaknesses that contribute significantly to unstable first nations governments. Among these weaknesses is the two-year term of office. Therefore, a good chief with a good council have a mandate of two years. We know, as legislators, that we cannot engage and execute a program or an initiative within two years; we need more time to execute a plan. However, chiefs and council have difficulties because of that two-year term of office.
There is currently a very loose nomination system. Sometimes there can be as many as a hundred candidates for a post of councillor. The mail-in ballot system is open to abuse. I have received numerous complaints as the minister of the department on this. Additionally, the current Indian Act contains no defined offences and penalties to enforce a rigorous, fair and transparent system, which this bill would achieve.
First Nations Elections Act June 11th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, this important piece of legislation will have serious and significant benefits for first nations whose election system is currently under the Indian Act.
Because of the work that has taken place since 2008, and the full engagement of first nations who have made all of the recommendations that have led to the drafting of the bill, we believe on this side of the House that it is time that first nations received the benefits of their bill.
That is why the motion is before the House, so we can finally pass this piece of legislation and make it law.
First Nations Elections Act June 11th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, with all due respect for the member, he is talking about following the rules. Those rules allow the government to move a motion such as the one moved earlier by the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons.
If, despite its openness towards the opposition parties in trying to pass a bill, the government simply faces opposition, it is set out in the rules that the government may, at a given time, act in the best interests of Canadians and first nations. That is the goal of the motion currently before the House.
First Nations Elections Act June 11th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, as the experienced member likes to talk about the Senate and democracy being turned on its head, maybe he could explain to Canadians why his party opposes all efforts made by this government to put democracy back on its head by electing senators at the provincial level.
The member complains about the Senate. Yet, at every step of the way, New Democrats do everything they can to prevent this government from transforming the Senate to an institution with elected members that has the respect of Canadians.
If the member is really concerned about democracy, he should put pressure on his leader, his colleagues and his party to change their position and support Senate reform.
First Nations Elections Act June 11th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I hope that my hon. colleague finds solace in the fact that this act, indeed, would be of benefit to first nations.
I understand that many members on the opposite side of the House like to talk. However, on this side of the House, we like to act, and this is about acting. This piece of legislation has been in the works for over eight years. First nation communities under the Indian Act have been fully engaged throughout the country. It is simply time that we passed this bill so that those first nations can get the benefit of the bill.