Mr. Speaker, naturally, I totally agree with our party's position on the recognition of nations. We are very happy in particular for the Tlicho nation.
I hope that this government will give the Cree nation the same recognition. I remind hon. members that the Cree nation has been in negotiations with this government for quite a while, but the government is playing this game of systematically seeking a court opinion on each claim by the Cree. This is delaying discussions enormously.
This is a nation that is asking for nothing more than what has already been given by the Government of Quebec, that is, recognition of the Cree nation in Quebec. And, on that basis, it is asking the same thing from the federal government, so that it can finally evolve, take charge and build its future. There is great potential among the Cree.
In that context, I ask the Minister of State for Northern Development or her colleague, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, if the Cree may expect to get the same treatment as the Tlicho in the weeks to come, or a few months at the most.