Mr. Speaker, Canada's first nations and the Canadian Alliance agree that the First Nations Governance Act fails to make significant reforms in the following areas: housing, infrastructure, property and women's rights.
Like the Indian Act, this legislation is the result of good but ill-considered intentions. It is being imposed in a mandatory and unilateral fashion. The old legislation has tarnished the past; the new legislation will stain the future.
The government is just tinkering around, when what is needed are real changes. Covering its ears and saying, “I cannot hear you” will not help it to improve the lives of Canada's first nations. Working together will be a step in the right direction. It is time to listen.