Mr. Speaker, the public accounts of Canada were tabled yesterday. There we find some $200 billion—that is $200,000 million—in specific aboriginal claims that the federal government will have to deal with.
Considering that government revenues for the year are only about $147 billion, what does the government plan to do with these enormous demands on the treasury?
Last week it was $5 billion to pay for work of equal value and this week it is $200 billion for aboriginal claims.
There is not enough money in Canada for the government to pay out these demands. Where does the buck stop?
Grassroots aboriginal people have been largely excluded from the government payout loop. Why will the government not listen to aboriginal people who need the money and give them individual property rights and the money they need to take their place on an equal footing with all Canadians?
There is not enough money in Canada to pay the $200 billion. There has to be a better way that all Canadians can live with.