Mr. Speaker, the hon. member stated there should be direct cash compensation instead of negotiated settlements with aboriginal peoples. Cash does form part of the settlements negotiated with aboriginal peoples. However, cash alone will not provide the kind of certainty and long lasting, enduring settlement necessary in this type of negotiation. This type of negotiation will benefit all of British Columbia in the end because we will be able to put these negotiated settlements to rest once and for all.
Negotiated agreements have been based on a range of benefits. There is a necessity to provide that range to continue to have an enduring and lasting distribution of rights for the native peoples, which have to cover harvesting rights, participation in wildlife and environmental management.
The hon. member said he did not know where there was a legal basis for settlement comprehensive land claims. In 1973 the supreme court ruling in the Calder case acknowledged the existence of aboriginal title in Canadian law. More recently, in the Sparrow case the supreme court recognized a constitutionally protected aboriginal right to fish for food. The courts have emphasized in these cases that the proper way to resolve outstanding claims to aboriginal rights and title to land and resources must be through negotiated agreements.
The hon. member said we should fee simple or its equivalent. That is exactly what we are doing. Perhaps the hon. member might acquaint himself better with what the treaty negotiation process is all about.