Mr. Speaker, first nations chiefs are meeting in Ottawa this week for their first Special Chiefs Assembly under the leadership of their new national chief, Shawn Atleo.
In July, I could feel the excitement during the election and the final vote, the results of which were revealed at 7 a.m. Those hours before the results were revealed were a perfect opportunity for the chiefs to discuss issues affecting first nations. They are urging the government to respect them by adopting the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and to invest heavily in access to education for aboriginal peoples, which is one of the government's responsibilities.
I urge all parliamentarians to attend the reception this evening and to participate in the many discussion sessions and talks that are going on all week.
On behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I welcome the chiefs and their delegation, and I wish them a good week of reflection.