Mr. Speaker, today history is being made in British Columbia with the signing of an agreement in principle by the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, the provincial Minister for Indian Affairs and the Nisga'a people.
The way is being paved for the first modern day treaty in that province. Today's signing marks an important step in the long struggle of the Nisga'a people to have their rights to the beautiful Nass river valley formally recognized.
The agreement which is being signed today follows extensive consultations with members of the wider British Columbia community. Today's ceremony takes us a long way to achieving certainty and establishing stability, and with these a new era of growth and prosperity can begin.
I would like to congratulate all parties to this historic agreement, particularly the Nisga'a people who have persevered for so long and have overcome so much.