Members Of Parliament Retiring Allowances Act  Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to participate in the debate on the issue of MPs pensions. It is certainly one issue that raises the blood pressure of the majority of Canadians and one time slot on the parliamentary channel that receives attention. I dare say there is not a single MP who has not been dogged by constituents on the issue.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, the minister of Indian affairs raised the expectations of aboriginal people to the point where his departmental officials are now asking him "to bring high expectations of the aboriginal community to manageable levels". What will the minister do in his statements and in his processes to reduce expectations upon which he cannot possibly deliver?

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, in B.C. the current treaty process has created expectations that are forecast to cost $8 billion to $20 billion. There is no way that governments can deliver on this. The public is clamouring for a new approach. What will the minister do to create an affordable process and reduce aboriginal expectations so that B.C. can support modern treaties?

Lightstations  Mr. Speaker, the coast guard lightstation services project went to 28 B.C. locations and cost $202,000. Its report is now more than one month old and will be released today. I hope the current minister responsible has read it and will conclude what the B.C. public has concluded.

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, it would be refreshing to have the minister stop attacking the Reform Party every time he is asked a question. He could start being a professional manager. The minister has given conflicting reports as to when he knew about the overcutting at Stoney Reserve. Did he know when the department knew one year ago?

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, yesterday the minister of Indian affairs displayed petulance and obfuscation which has forced him this morning-

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, this morning the minister of Indian affairs clarified his conflicting answers on the series of events on the Stoney Reserve. It is now evident the minister did not seriously investigate this ongoing situation until after yesterday's question period. I have now heard reports that there are five other locations in Alberta where logging may be exceeding DIAND permits: Gerard, Sturgeon, Hart Lake, Boyer and Eden Valley.

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, the timber removed from the reserve in the last 12 months conservatively exceeds $35 million. The minister's department knew logging at Stoney Reserve exceeded the permits last April, one year ago. Can the minister tell the House who is liable for these lost revenues?

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, my question follows the question from my leader and is for the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. I would like to quickly say that we foster sensible dialogue, and in our aboriginal town halls in British Columbia offered a very welcome and refreshing point of view.

Firearms Act  Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to participate in debate on a Reform amendment to split Bill C-68 and thus bring the real issue of safety and security of Canadians into focus. The amendment presents the Minister of Justice with a real opportunity to protect Canadians and prosecute and punish those who break the law.

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, I rise to present again another petition on this course of action undertaken on behalf of Canadians who wish to halt the early release from prison of Robert Paul Thompson. The petitioners are concerned about making our streets safer. They are opposed to the current practice of the early release of violent offenders prior to serving the full extent of their sentences.

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I would like to see that document tabled. The minister has been consulting with select groups for 16 months. Can the minister assure the House he will soon conclude this process so this undertaking will not become another aboriginal royal commission which is now two years overdue and $40 million over budget?

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, yesterday in response to a question from my colleague for Skeena the minister of Indian affairs indicated his $5 million policy paper on self-government was not secret. If it is not secret, will the minister tell the House why parliamentarians and Canadians have to rely on the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations to shed light on this undertaking and make the process public?

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I expected more of a complete answer. Can the minister confirm that his $5 million policy paper states that he is making provincial participation mandatory in self-government negotiations?

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, yesterday Ovide Mercredi, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, released contents from the minister's speaking notes surrounding his secret $5 million policy paper on inherent right to self-government. Can the minister confirm that after 16 months of consultation his policy of self-government is based in the municipal style espoused by the Reform Party?