I'm speaking to the amendment and I'm speaking to the legal obligation to consult with first nations communities. I'm speaking to the importance of not determining for others what their laws and lifestyle should be. I'm speaking to the importance of the collective in aboriginal communities.
First and foremost, I support the concept of matrimonial real property reform for aboriginal or first nations women. That's non-negotiable, but it has to be done appropriately.
This government in fact hired an eminent, well-regarded member of the aboriginal community, Chief Wendy Grant-John. She provided a report, which I was going to bring, but it's literally inches thick. I didn't bring it with me because I didn't want to carry it. She made recommendations about the importance of consultation and about the importance of the collective. The government chose to totally disregard it in the legislation that they introduced and that was referred to the aboriginal affairs committee. I'm repeating myself, but I see this as an effort to do through the back door what they couldn't do through the front door.
When we have any discussions or make any decisions that affect the rights of aboriginal peoples in this country, I think it's incumbent on us to understand the responsibility of the duty to consult. Therefore, I'm putting forward this motion.