Mr. Speaker, I am curious and rather amazed at the comments of my hon. friend. Anyone who has looked at the Indian Act will realize that for years and years it has denied the treaty Indian people of the country their equality with other Canadians.
As we look at this document we must ask ourselves whether or not we are simply eliminating one piece of legislation that has created inequality on behalf of Indian people and replacing it with another, except the rules have changed. The rights and privileges granted Indian people are going to supersede those which other Canadians enjoy.
I ask the member to consider these points. At the time the treaties were signed, it was not so much the treaties but the application or the administration of the treaties that caused inequality in the country for so long for treaty Indian people.
Would the hon. member focus his attention on this question: Are we or are we not at risk in that we are creating laws that will grant special rights and privileges to Canadian people based upon their race and ethnic background?