Indigenous Languages Act  Mr. Speaker, our government was very proud to support the private member's bill on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, UNDRIP. I believe every member on this side of the House supported that legislation, which is currently in the Senate. We hope that it will receive royal assent before we rise for the next election.

Indigenous Languages Act  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to rise in the House to once again discuss an important issue. It is always an honour to rise and speak in this House on behalf of the citizens of Saint Boniface—Saint Vital on legislation that will have such a profound impact on Métis, first nation and Inuit people across this great country.

Indigenous Nurses Day  Mr. Speaker, on this National Nursing Week, I rise today to pay special tribute to the exceptional work of the indigenous nurses who provide care to all Canadians from coast to coast to coast and to celebrate Indigenous Nurses Day. The over 9,700 strong and skilled indigenous nurses are invaluable in the promotion, development and practice of indigenous health and nursing.

Norwood Legion Ladies Auxiliary  Mr. Speaker, on February 11, 1929, the Norwood Legion Ladies Auxiliary was constituted by the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League. For 90 years, the volunteer auxiliary has worked tirelessly to support the Norwood Legion and Saint Boniface. It was a pleasure to be able to join them last Sunday to mark this very important milestone.

An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families  Mr. Speaker, the nexus of the bill is that we will put into law what indigenous nations have been asking for generations, which is the ability to do what is right and what is proper with their children. The nexus is really the affirmation of indigenous jurisdiction for indigenous nations to make their own laws.

An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families  Mr. Speaker, this legislation would put into law what indigenous nations have been asking for generations, which is the ability to do what is right by their communities, children and families. The crux of it is the affirmation of inherent jurisdiction of their territories and nations.

An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families  Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of the consultation and the outreach that we did prior to tabling this legislation. At least 65 meetings were held with leaders in indigenous communities and at the grassroots level. Over 2,000 people were involved in that. Going forward, more of the same is going to happen.

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Fleetwood—Port Kells for his hard work. The minister was pleased to join first nations leadership and provincial partners last weekend to sign a tripartite MOU on emergency management in B.C. This agreement recognizes first nations as full partners in emergency management.

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, nothing could be further from the truth. Since being elected in 2015, we have invested $21 billion of new money in infrastructure, education and employment. We have removed 83 long-term drinking water advisories. We announced $1.2 billion for Jordan's principle in Winnipeg last week.

An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families  Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his speech. I know that jurisdiction has been front and centre in some of the discussion on the other side. I think it is important to involve provinces and territories, but does the hon. member agree that the ultimate jurisdictional issue is that the jurisdiction belongs inherently to indigenous nations?

An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his question. When drafting a bill of this scope and significance, we know that consultations are very important. Before the bill was introduced, we held 65 meetings with indigenous groups, not just with the chiefs but with 2,000 community members as well.

An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families  Mr. Speaker, the member for Winnipeg North is absolutely right. Every day in this country indigenous children are separated from their families and communities. That simply has to stop. This is the start of a process. Nobody is saying that this is going to be the be-all and end-all to address the issue.

An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families  Mr. Speaker, that is an excellent question. As members know, off-reserve child and family services have traditionally been a provincial responsibility. That is why we have been working with all provinces from coast to coast from the very beginning. I personally attended a meeting with the former minister and the Manitoba minister responsible for children and families.

An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families  Mr. Speaker, let me first say that I am very proud of the consultation process we had with indigenous communities across Canada. There were over 65 individual meetings across Canada, and well over 2,000 people participated. I am proud to say that we have the support of the Assembly of First Nations, the Métis National Council, as well as ITK.

An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for her commitment to this bill and her positive contributions at committee toward making this a better bill. There are a couple of things. Number one, it is important to understand that we are reforming the way child welfare is delivered across Canada in indigenous communities.