Mr. Speaker, when we asked the minister of Indian affairs in this House why there is no protection for Nisga'a women's rights in the Nisga'a treaty, the minister responded by saying that provincial laws will apply.
I would like to read to the House a quote from Dale Lovick, the NDP MLA, who stated in the April 15 debate in the legislature of British Columbia: “The Nisga'a treaty, to all intents and purposes, is silent on the issue of discrimination against women. It is effectively silent”.
Why did the government negotiate an agreement that is effectively silent on the rights of Nisga'a women?