Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to take part in this debate. I would like to commend the hon. member for Kamloops for bringing this issue to the floor of the House of Commons.
It has long been an important premise of this country that we work to achieve equality in this society. Unfortunately, this has not always been the case. For hundreds of years aboriginal people have not been afforded the same opportunities as many Canadians. It is time to attempt to correct these past wrongs. That is why this government is committed to taking action to help aboriginal people assume their rightful role as full partners in Canadian society.
As a member of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, I would like to focus my comments on the work the government is doing in consultation with aboriginal communities and organizations. In our red book we dedicated an entire chapter to aboriginal issues. Most important in our platform was the recognition of the inherent right of self-government.
In January 1994 the minister launched a national consultation process on how best to implement the inherent right. With these consultations now almost completed, I feel confident that we have some very exciting times ahead.
I would like to focus on three areas that are fundamental to achieving our goals: resolving land claims; changing the Indian Act; and dismantling the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
First we need to try to create certainty with respect to aboriginal rights and title as well as opportunities for economic development in aboriginal communities. Resolving outstanding land claims is part of that solution.
Claims fall into two categories: specific and comprehensive. The specific ones arise from the alleged non-fulfilment of treaties and other lawful obligations such as the Indian Act. Since coming to power our government has settled over 50 claims of this nature in all parts of Canada. Comprehensive claims, on the other hand, are based on the concept of continuing
aboriginal rights and title which have not been dealt with by the treaties and other legal means. These agreements define the ways in which aboriginal people assert rights over land and natural resources.
Currently the Government of Canada, the provinces and territories and the First Nations are considering 11 of these comprehensive claims. Benefits of economic development which is most important will be part of these negotiations. We are moving forward on these claims with the goal of helping aboriginal people forge a path of self-sufficiency, a path that is an essential component of the inherent right of self-government.
At the same time however, there are some real obstacles. I am referring specifically to the Indian Act. The act gives the federal government the authority to strictly regulate First Nations and their lives. This includes reserve lands, elections, education, amusement centres, and so on. The act prevents the First Nations from managing their own affairs.
That is why the hon. Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development recently announced the willingness of the government to amend the act if First Nations want these amendments. This of course would be an interim measure. The goal of the federal government and aboriginal peoples is to make self-government a reality. Under that reality there would be no need for the Indian Act.
Clearly, all this means redefining the role of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. What it really means is that the department's responsibilities will gradually be turned over to First Nations and the department will not be needed.
December 7, 1994 was a historic day for the Manitoba First Nations. The government along with Grand Chief Phil Fontaine of the Association of Manitoba Chiefs signed the first dismantling agreement for the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. This agreement will give full control of program administration to the First Nations people of Manitoba.
Moreover, it sets the stage for real change for both the federal government and First Nations. Dismantling will eliminate the federal government's role in decision making affecting the daily lives of aboriginal people, a role dating back to 1876. It will go a long way toward resolving and restoring dignity, honour, self-reliance and self-government to the First Nations.
It is important to remember though that dismantling will not occur overnight. We agreed in the red book to wind down the department at a pace determined by the aboriginal people. This is significant given that our objective is to create real and meaningful partnerships with the aboriginal people.
This cannot be done by simply unilaterally imposing our will and our impressions of what should be changed and how things should change. We take our lead from those aboriginal leaders and communities who have their own ideas, time frames and goals. Dismantling will be achieved based on negotiated agreements, reasonable action plans and realistic timetables, all of which will be established jointly by the federal and aboriginal governments.
Most important, dismantling will assist First Nations in implementing their inherent right to self-government. Ultimately this means gradually shutting down the department's regional office in Manitoba.
Our government is seeking to refurbish our relationship and rebuild its nature on a government to government basis. We can change the way we carry out our responsibilities. We can try to correct our past wrongs. We are creating a process by which aboriginal people will control their own lives.