Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, under the provisions of Standing Order 32(2) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, copies of the “Yukon Land Claims and Self-Government Agreements Annual Report 2004-2007”.

Bill C-3--Gender Equity in Indian Registration Act  Mr. Speaker, I just want to say how disappointed I am in terms of this motion. The government has been very straightforward. The committee has been very straightforward. We have offered departmental officials to talk about this whole bill, the amendments and the possibilities. We have had very good witnesses.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, this government understands the importance of education, which is why we have taken action since coming to office to improve the outcomes for aboriginal students. Since 2006, our government has invested $395 million, resulting in the completion of 94 school projects.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, we continue to monitor the situation. We are working with the first nation to resolve outstanding issues in the best interests of the Mohawks of Kanesatake and the wider community. We believe that dialogue remains the best venue to resolve this problem.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, we understand what is happening in Kanesatake, at Oka. We know that there have been Canada, first nation, local community, and provincial discussions. We also know that there is no escalation. There is no crisis. The eventual disposition of the land will be up to the local authorities.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal is not the correct venue. We simply fund child and family services and the provinces and first nations organizations run the services. We will present our position at the hearing. However, since we came to office four years ago, we have taken multiple actions.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, our government must ensure that programs and services for aboriginal peoples are fiscally sustainable. We continue to work in partnership to enhance the economic opportunities for Métis and non-status Indians. Given that the federal court decision raises complex issues, it is prudent for Canada to obtain a decision from a higher court.

House debate  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in response to the question from the member for Nanaimo—Cowichan. I would like to add that tomorrow we will be dealing in depth with this issue at the aboriginal affairs committee. The member for Nanaimo—Cowichan has done good work on this.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I can confirm that the University of Regina-sponsored application under the ISSP program has been received and it has been vetted. The minister has made an announcement that we will be funding that application for $3 million, which will allow the students, who we are most concerned with, to finish their academic year that runs until August 31.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, under the provisions of Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, copies of the 2007-08 annual report of the state of Inuit culture and society in the Nunavut settlement area. Also, under the provisions of Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, copies of the annual report for the years 2006-07 and 2007-08 of the Nisga'a Final Agreement.

Indian Oil and Gas Act  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have the pleasure of introducing Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Indian Oil and Gas Act. In the recent Speech from the Throne, the government committed to take steps to ensure that aboriginal Canadians fully share in economic development opportunities and this legislation is a concrete example of that commitment.

Aboriginal Healing Foundation  Mr. Speaker, the member for Thunder Bay—Superior North talked about an adjacent riding, which is the Kenora riding. The member for Kenora sits on the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. I know his background is nursing and that he has worked as a nurse in remote first nations and aboriginal communities, certainly on the British Columbia coast, northern Ontario, and likely other places as well that I am not immediately aware of.

Aboriginal Healing Foundation  Madam Speaker, I appreciate the comments from my colleague on the aboriginal affairs committee. He did open up by saying he wanted to elevate the debate and the discussion. He did indeed do that, and it is most appreciated. I would like to ask a question, because the member has a very solid point of view that does not take into account the fact that Health Canada, which is the one that is going to be delivering these programs, has a presence and a mandate in each and every community, whether it is on reserve, off reserve, in the north or in the cities, and indeed is already present in many first nation communities.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, our priority is to make sure the First Nations University students have the same educational opportunities as other Canadians. That is our priority. We want to make sure they finish their school year, and we will continue to work with people who are working hard to make this happen.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, to say we are not at the table is inappropriate. As I said, the university has now submitted a proposal under the same program that every other university in the country submits when dealing with first nations students. We are encouraged by the changes we have seen.