Mr. Speaker, the reality is that the Liberal majority on the committee decided who the witnesses were going to be.
In Prince George on Wednesday the committee only heard from four witnesses all day, three of which were from southern British Columbia. Even though three other organizations backed out at the last minute, the committee chair denied representatives from B.C. in Focus and the Central Interior Logging Association an opportunity to speak.
Only the Nisga'a have had a direct vote on this treaty. Other affected Indian bands have not been granted the same right.
Before it rams the Nisga'a treaty through this House, will the government conduct a referendum so that all British Columbians, aboriginal and non-aboriginal alike, can have a direct vote on the Nisga'a treaty?