Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
Many Indian people in my riding are expressing deep concern that the federal government is about to sign a self-government agreement with Gitksan Indian leaders. Their concerns relate mostly to the fact that elected band councils will disappear and will be replaced by an unelected and unaccountable hereditary chief system.
Can the minister confirm that the federal government will not now or in the future allow such a system of government to gain power in Canada?