Mr. Speaker, the Minister of National Defence announced the Liberal government's acceptance of the proposal to double, perhaps triple, the number of low level military flights that take place over Innu territory in Labrador and Quebec.
The military aircraft fly at 30 metres above the ground, disrupt wildlife and imperil hunting and fishing grounds. Caribou are often found starved, too frightened to eat. The Innu, who live off the land and its animals, worry about the future of their traditional way of life.
The government is aware that its environmental assessment panel admitted the impact on the environment and aboriginal rights is unknown and refused to listen to issues raised by aboriginal people relating to their land.
The Innu have never signed a treaty with the Canadian government for the use of their land and the government has never asked permission to conduct these military flights over that territory. All the Innu people want is a life of peace.
All people deserve respect. As the minister of Indian affairs said recently: "It's their territory. They have a concern. It's a legitimate concern".