Evidence of meeting #110 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was vote.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
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Liberal
Jane Philpott Liberal Markham—Stouffville, ON
We believe that the approach of previous governments has been counterproductive, has in fact led to serious economic—
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
Let's get back to my other question, Minister. Do you believe—
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
Mike Bossio Liberal Hastings—Lennox and Addington, ON
On a point of order, Chair, please allow the minister to answer the question.
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Conservative
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
Mike Bossio Liberal Hastings—Lennox and Addington, ON
Have respect for the minister and allow the minister to answer the question. This is a point of order.
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Conservative
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
This gets back to the beginning: do you believe in the rule of law? Financial transparency is the law of the land. Travis is in some ways much better off than other people in this country, such as Charmaine Stick, because he doesn't live on a reserve. Charmaine Stick lives on a reserve. Her house has been threatened to be taken away. When asked how she can be helped, she says, “Can you help me with some ammunition?” She lives in fear of her own life.
She has taken her own band to court to get this financial transparency law enforced, and the court has sided with her.
However, you were just there announcing millions of dollars in health—
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON
On a point of order, Madam Chair, relevancy is important here. The minister is here—
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Conservative
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
You were just there announcing millions of dollars to Onion Lake Cree Nation—
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Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON
Madam Chair, I have a point of order. It's relevancy. The minister is here to speak about the main estimates.
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Liberal
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Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON
The minister is here to talk about the main estimates, Madam Chair, and I think the questions need to be directed with respect to the main estimates. You do give quite a bit of leeway, but in this particular case I think we've gone well beyond the scope of why the minister is here.
I think if there are other issues, then the minister will probably come back and speak on that. But I think it's inappropriate to continue a line of questioning that is outside of the scope of what the minister is here to do.
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal MaryAnn Mihychuk
I understand from the clerk that in fact the main estimates allow you to ask questions that are very broad in scope, so I find, actually, that the questioning is appropriate.
There are approximately two more minutes left. We do have our own styles of asking questions and this is eating into the time we have for other members, so I would ask that we proceed.
MP Viersen, you have two minutes left.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Getting back to this, you were recently at Onion Lake announcing millions of dollars for their health systems there. Did you meet with Charmaine Stick while you were at Onion Lake?
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Liberal
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Conservative
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
What do you have to say about her? The court ruling was found in her favour. Would you congratulate her on that?
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Liberal
Jane Philpott Liberal Markham—Stouffville, ON
This is something you and your colleagues bring up at committee on a regular basis and—
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Liberal
Jane Philpott Liberal Markham—Stouffville, ON
—if you have serious concerns about this particular issue, I would encourage you to reach out to me or my office at any time between my committee appearances to discuss the specifics. I'd be happy to get you details as to this particular person's circumstances.
I'm going to ask for the chief financial officer of our department to give you some comments in terms of his views as to the appropriateness of our approach and its effectiveness.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
I would just put on the record that Travis has reached out to your office on a number of occasions and he has relayed to me that this has been much less than fruitful.
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
Jane Philpott Liberal Markham—Stouffville, ON
As I say, I'd be happy to have a conversation. You're going back and forth between a couple of different people—
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Liberal
Jane Philpott Liberal Markham—Stouffville, ON
—and so the question is changing. If you are truly concerned about these communities and these particular individuals.... My goal is to see first nation communities thrive and the individuals therein to find approaches that are respectful—