Mr. Speaker, the minister just told us that he has been a parliamentarian for 15 years. It has been too long. He is now putting in place a process that will create systematic confrontation with first nations; this is exactly what he is doing. This process is not about conciliation, nor is it about understanding. He says that it will improve the situation.
Since when is justice done only partially? Either justice is done by assessing damages and determining adequate compensation without setting a limit beforehand, or justice is not done at all. Either we are in a constitutional state, or we are in a banana republic.
That is what is being done right now. Is it usual for damages to be assessed and a case settled even before it is heard? Do you know when that it supposed to happen? It is supposed to happen after the case has been heard. What we see here has nothing to do with justice. The government is just being paternalistic again, as it has been for 130 years with the infamous Indian Act.
Can the minister answer this question : is there anywhere in the world where limits are set on damages before a case is heard?