I can allude to some of the recommendations that we would suggest.
We appreciate what Canada is trying to accomplish in response to the trafficking of unregulated tobacco. Akwesasne is also trying to rectify the situation, although we are going about it in a different way. The development of a governance structure and our combined efforts are likely to provide a better path for the future. The following represents our recommendations in response to Bill C-10.
Honour the initiatives that are currently in development between Ontario and Quebec in Akwesasne. The initiative hopefully will answer many questions that are present in such areas as manufacturing, retail, wholesale, and trade with other first nations.
Allow for the development of an Akwesasne tobacco law and the development of governance structures. The cooperative effort to develop such structures is a far more effective answer than increased fines and mandatory jail sentences which will only add to aboriginals who are already overrepresented in the prison system.
Develop a federal protocol with Akwesasne which recognizes Akwesasne's justice programs, such as the Kanikonri:io or good minds program which is in operation as we speak. This protocol could act as a partnership in seeking cooperative resolutions on the issue of tobacco governance.
If moneys are to be spent in enforcement, add moneys to first nations policing. We have 23 miles of islands that border right into Quebec, into Lake Saint Francis. The expectation is that our police department enforce this jurisdictional area, of which we will not give up our jurisdictional rights. You had answers on meeting with CBSA and RCMP. Recently, I was on the police commission for two terms and I explained to the chief of police that the way the RCMP gets their money is through stats. We've been handing over all of the tobacco seizures to the RCMP. This is not right. We are undermanned in our police, and underequipped, and you expect us to be as effective as the outside. We cannot do that under the current operating conditions.
Throughout Ontario we belong to all the policing associations, the aboriginal police officers, the Canadian police boards. We have needs that far exceed other areas but they are not being addressed by Canada. We've been asking for Canada's help for many years now. We've asked questions. Assistance has not been forthcoming.
This bill will criminalize a whole generation of Mohawk people. You know that we live on a border and a great many of our people work on both sides of the border. We create America's skylines and Canada's skylines. This is what you see, but you never see the men working on it. This is our people. A great majority of them work in New York City. If you criminalize these people, they will not be able to work there because of the licensing requirements from the port authorities of New York, which controls the bridges and most of the buildings in Manhattan and the surrounding community. There will be no employment. This is not what this bill is intended to do. It will push us back into a Depression era mentality and that will open up a whole new can of illicit worms.
If Canada wants to assist, then fund this program. Fund our needs so that we may combat this illegal activity. You lose millions of dollars in tax revenue. A portion of that which you've lost, which you've identified in your stats, will go a long way to stop that which is a concern to all of us at this table.
Thank you.