House of Commons Hansard #61 of the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was application.

Topics

Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) ActGovernment Orders

1:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Barry Devolin

I declare the motion carried.

(Motion agreed to)

When shall the bill be read a third time? By leave now?

Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) ActGovernment Orders

1:30 p.m.

Conservative

Gordon O'Connor Conservative Carleton—Mississippi Mills, ON

moved that the bill be read the third time and passed.

Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) ActGovernment Orders

1:30 p.m.

Vancouver Island North B.C.

Conservative

John Duncan ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

Mr. Speaker, I believe we are all on the same page. It is a pleasure to speak to the third reading of Bill C-28. Certainly, it is no mystery by now why I support this bill, nor why the hon. members of the House have united to ensure that this bill passes.

Bill C-28 begins a new chapter in one of the country's great aboriginal success stories: the story of the Cree of Eeyou Istchee. For hundreds of years, the Cree peoples of the eastern James Bay and southern Hudson Bay region of northern Quebec have effectively protected their environment, managed their natural resources, and preserved the cultural legacy of their communities. For decades, the Cree of Eeyou Istchee have used the provisions in the James Bay and Northern Quebec agreement to start their own airline, establish a thriving construction company, and open many flourishing small businesses.

Most recently, the Cree of Eeyou Istchee have engaged in ongoing consultations with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, embraced genuine partnership with the Government of Canada, and co-signed the 2008 new relationship agreement document. These are the achievements I would like to focus on today.

For those not familiar with the new relationship agreement, allow me to explain a few important facts about this document. The new relationship agreement is a landmark agreement between the Government of Canada and the Cree of Eeyou Istchee. It is a historic consensus that gets at the heart of what it takes to build strong communities. It resolves past grievances. It fosters social and economic development. It empowers people to determine their own destinies.

More specifically, the new relationship agreement ends litigation initiated by the Cree of Eeyou Istchee against the federal government, devolves specific federal responsibilities to the nine Cree communities of the eastern James Bay and southern Hudson Bay region, and provides for amendments to the Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act to enable the Cree regional authority to enact bylaws that will apply throughout the region.

Significantly, the new relationship agreement does all of this with the full support of the Cree of Eeyou Istchee. Voicing their opinions in referendum, more than 90% of the beneficiaries who voted in the nine affected communities endorsed the agreement. They voted to end years of contention and uncertainty, and to embrace a sincere partnership with the Government of Canada.

Bill C-28 fulfills two key aspects of the agreement. First, it will equip the Cree regional authority with additional responsibilities and powers, including bylaw-making powers, so that the Cree regional authority will be better able to carry out certain specified responsibilities that were assumed from the federal government under the James Bay and Northern Quebec agreement.

Bill C-28 also sets the stage for the negotiation of a Cree nation governance agreement that will establish a new Cree nation government. As the Cree of Eeyou Istchee noted in their presentation to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, this bill constitutes “another step in the evolution of Cree governance structures and responsibilities”.

Second, it will incorporate the Cree of Oujé-Bougoumou as the ninth Cree band. This is a fulfillment of the 1992 Ouje-Bougoumou/Canada Agreement, under which the Government of Canada agreed to recognize the Cree of Oujé-Bougoumou as the ninth Cree band and to contribute financially toward the creation of a new village at Lake Opemiska.

In the words of Mr. Richard Saunders, who represented the Cree-Naskapi Commission before the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, this is both “a symbolic and housekeeping amendment”. It is one that acknowledges the local government and administration of a distinct people not named in the James Bay and Northern Quebec agreement.

In short, Bill C-28 fulfills two key aspects of the new relationship agreement that would enable all of us, the Cree of Eeyou Istchee and the Government of Canada, to place our focus squarely on the future. It is a bill that dwells not on recriminations of the past but on opportunities in the present and future. It is a bill that honours the spirit of partnership and collaboration inherent in the new relationship agreement.

Throughout the bill's development, from the initial outline to the version before us today, the Cree of Eeyou Istchee have been extensively consulted. They have helped ensure the bill meets the real needs of the Cree communities of northern Quebec. They have advised the government on necessary changes and they have contributed at key stages of the legislative process.

Due in no small part to the Cree's involvement, members of the House now have the opportunity to truly serve the Cree people who live in the James Bay and southern Hudson Bay region to give them the authority to: enforce strict water quality standards; to maintain meticulous accounting practices and guarantee that people in positions of power are held accountable for their use of community funds; and to ensure more responsive police and firefighting services and make certain that all residents in crises get the emergency help they need.

This is an opportunity to encourage continued dialogue between the Government of Canada and the Cree of Eeyou Istchee and to ensure that our nation's laws benefit the people most affected by them.

This is our time to seize these opportunities. Let us help honour the commitments the Government of Canada made to the Cree people of northern Quebec in the new relationship agreement.

We are ready to heed the words of Richard Saunders, Philip Awashish and Robert Kanatewat who travelled to Ottawa on behalf of the Cree of Eeyou Istchee to outline their support for the bill when they appeared before the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development just a short time ago.

Passage of the bill would enable the Cree of Eeyou Istchee to pave the way to a brighter and more prosperous future for their communities.

As we heard earlier in the House and again at committee, all parties in the House support the bill. There is no one who does not wish to establish a new relationship based on trust, fairness and mutual respect. There is no one who does not wish to welcome the nine Cree communities in northern Quebec into the political, social and economic conversations that will shape the future of Canada.

I know that is why my colleagues will welcome the opportunity, as I do, to vote in favour of this important legislation, to vote in favour of helping thousands of proud, resourceful, ambitious people in nine remote communities in northern Quebec to embark on a prosperous future and on a path to a new tomorrow for us all.

Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) ActGovernment Orders

1:40 p.m.

Liberal

Todd Russell Liberal Labrador, NL

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada, I am glad to stand in the House and support Bill C-28, and act to amend the Cree-Naskapi Act of 1984.

The numerous benefits of this legislation have already been read into the record. The bill is now at third reading and hopefully it will get royal assent in the not too distant future, after some 33 years of intense negotiation and, at many times, litigation, and not always an amicable relationship between the Crown, whether provincial or federal, and the aboriginal people involved.

A lot of work has been undertaken over those 33 years since 1975 when we had the James Bay and northern Quebec agreement, the northeastern Quebec agreement in 1979 and then the Cree-Naskapi Act in 1984, which is what the bill we are talking about today would amend.

Since 1984, the Cree people have been in a tangle with the federal government about the true implementation of the Cree-Naskapi Act of 1984. They have tried diligently to ensure that land claims were implemented, not only in terms of the details of that particular land claim but in terms of the spirit and intent of it. A new relationship agreement was signed in 2008, which is the basis of what we are dealing with here today.

The agreement itself was spoken of in endearing terms by Bill Namagoose at committee, who was one of the chief negotiators of that particular deal. We also heard from the minister and the department about how the relationship between the Department of Justice, the federal Crown and the Crees of Eeyou Istchee was much improved.

One of the lawyers at the time said that he had been practising for 43 years and that it was the first time in those 43 years that he could actually commend the people from the Department of Justice for the way they had behaved, for their manners and for their professionalism, and he hoped that particular relationship would continue into the future.

I want to read into the record a couple of quotes about land claims and speak in terms of going forward.

The Supreme Court of Canada, in Haida Nation v. British Columbia, Minister of Forests, wrote:

The historical roots of the principle of the honour of the Crown suggest that it must be understood generously in order to reflect the underlying realities from which it stems. In all its dealings with Aboriginal peoples, from the assertion of sovereignty to the resolution of claims and the implementation of treaties, the Crown must act honourably. Nothing less is required if we are to achieve “the reconciliation of the pre-existence of Aboriginal societies with the sovereignty of the Crown.

On the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the report on Canada in 2004 around the settling of comprehensive land claims, the United Nations special rapporteur said:

The settling of comprehensive land claims and self-government agreements (such as those of Nunavut or James Bay) are important milestones in the solution of outstanding human rights concerns of Aboriginal people. They do not, in themselves, resolve many of the human rights grievances afflicting Aboriginal communities and do require more political will regarding implementation, responsive institutional mechanisms, effective dispute resolution mechanisms, and stricter monitoring procedures at all levels.

What is being said here is that the Crown must act honourably when signing treaties and must implement not only the letter of the treaties but the spirit and intent of them.

Some of the most formidable work being done today around the implementation of land claims is coming from the Land Claims Agreements Coalition, which is made up of basically all of the modern treaty-holders from Labrador to B.C. and from Yukon to Nunavut.

Members of this coalition underlined four undertakings that the Government of Canada should put in place regarding treaty implementation. They are calling upon the Government of Canada to adopt a new policy on the full implementation of modern treaties between aboriginal peoples and the Crown. They also ask that the Government of Canada draft and promptly introduce legislation to establish a land claims agreements implementation commission, that the Government of Canada establish a cabinet committee on aboriginal affairs to oversee and coordinate the full involvement of federal agencies and ongoing treaty implementation activities, and that the periodic negotiation of implementation funding for Canada's obligations under modern land claims agreements be led by a chief federal negotiator appointed jointly by the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and the Land Claims Agreement Coalition.

Those are very practical solutions and they arise out of the context of the James Bay and northern Quebec agreement of 1975. They arise out of the historical context that has led, after 33 years, to the Cree-Naskapi 1984 amendments that we are talking about today. The coalition members cite this as movement in the right direction, which we in our party agree with as well. they also understand that across the country there are outstanding grievances within first nations, Inuit and some Métis communities around the implementation of land claims. They call for this way forward.

I will not prolong the debate on third reading except to say that my party supports this because it is a way forward. We also support it because it was a collaborative approach. We cannot say that strongly enough. It was a collaborative approach between the Government of Canada and aboriginal peoples who sat at the table. They will not call it co-drafting because they say that legally we cannot co-draft but that is a purview of the federal government itself. In essence, they basically dotted the i's and crossed the t's and said that this was a nice way to go forward and the government says that it is its legislation.

I will say this in another context because we have another bill before the House called Bill C-8, which was not co-drafted, was not done in co-operation or consultation with first nations people and is not receiving the kind of unanimity within the House that we see on Bill C-28. The difference in approach has an impact on the content and the agreement that various parties can reach.

We are supporting Bill C-28 because of the process and the content. I wish the Cree of Eeyou Istchee good luck with this. We wish them the best and the Liberal Party will certainly be a partner in the future as this agreement and other agreements are implemented under the new relationship.

Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) ActGovernment Orders

1:45 p.m.

Bloc

Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise here today at third reading of this bill, one that is extremely important for the Cree community and other closely related communities, particularly, the Naskapi. We are talking about a region in Quebec. The last time I addressed the House concerning this bill, I paid a tribute, and I would like to do so again.

I also emphasized the geographic importance of the James Bay Cree. There are nine Cree communities. For those watching us, we are talking about the nine communities near James Bay, and the people who have always lived in those communities. The Government of Quebec is currently beginning, or rather it began a few years ago, major works projects there to build hydroelectric dams.

I would therefore like to pay tribute to Matthew Mukash, Grand Chief and President of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee), that is, the Cree government. He worked very hard to put this very lengthy agreement in place. This Bill C-28 is minor compared to the agreement that was reached, one that will have extremely important repercussions for the Cree community and those who live in the areas around those communities.

Matthew Mukash was and still is the grand chief; Ashley Iserhoff is the deputy grand chief and vice-chairman; Roderick Pachano is the authorized representative of the Cree Nation of Chisasibi; Losty Mamianskum is the authorized representative of the Whapmagoostui First Nation; Rodney Mark is the representative of the Cree Nation of Wemindji; Lloyd Mayappo is from the Eastmain Band; Steve Diamond is the authorized representative of the Crees of the Waskaganish First Nation; Josie Jimiken is from the Cree Nation of Nemaska; John Kitchen is from the Waswanipi Band; John Longchap is from the Cree Nation of Mistissini; Louise Wapachee is from the Oujé-Bougoumou Eenuch Association.

These people represent all of the communities that have signed this extremely important agreement, which, while not necessarily making the Crees independent in the fullest sense of the word, will enable them to benefit from a degree of self-determination and distance from the federal government with respect to the management of their everyday affairs. Under this agreement, they will be able to ensure that their communities receive appropriate services, such as health and sanitation services. They will decide where to build their communities' hospitals. We know that many of these communities, which are located on the shores of James Bay, ranging almost as far as the Inuit communities of Quebec's far north, are isolated from one another and often have trouble working together.

This bill, this agreement, will enable them to work together. The Cree Regional Authority will have the opportunity to develop programs and ensure that it has everything it needs to achieve the independence of Cree first nations. Under this agreement, they will be responsible for protecting the environment and preventing pollution. We know what is going on with the Cree nation and the development of hydroelectric dams on James Bay. Over the next few years, mining exploration and exploitation will increase dramatically. Companies are looking northward more than ever before for mining exploration and exploitation opportunities. The Cree people will have to implement policies to protect their environment. That is what they wanted, that is what they asked for in committee, and that is what they will get with this bill, which will be passed just minutes from now.

In terms of administration, they will also be responsible for justice. That is extremely important. The administration of justice has always posed a problem in the north. For many years, the itinerant court has travelled to Cree communities to dispense justice. There were no court houses and often community centres were used.

Under this agreement, moneys will be allocated. When we refer to an agreement, we are also referring to the moneys that will be allocated and transferred to the Cree for the administration of justice, social development, and above all, economic development. One of the difficulties is that the Cree are isolated. There is little work. The birth rate is 3.5% per year, a veritable population explosion. Therefore appropriate measures are needed, including the creation of towns and the construction of houses suitable for the conditions of the community.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada has often sent houses that developed mould or were destroyed because they did not provide what the Cree needed to survive in a difficult environment, one that all too often is a hostile environment.

It has been noted that this agreement will benefit the Cree. After royal assent has been given, the amount of $100 million will be paid to the Cree. The $100 million has already been committed. That is why we, the Bloc Québécois, pushed for and will support this very important bill. Moneys have been committed, work has begun, and very important infrastructure—community centres, CLSCs and hospitals—must be built. The time to do that is now—May, June, July, August and September. We have five months to do some very important work. The amounts to be disbursed will pay for work that has already started and is very important to the community.

This bill will also—I realize that this is somewhat complex for those listening—settle the matter of land categories for which the communities had the authority to establish bylaws, municipal regulations to set limits as to time of day and year for hunting, trapping and fishing.

There are three categories of land: categories I, II and lll. From now on, category III will cover 911,000 square kilometres where communities will participate in the administration and development of the land. It will be very important for the Cree to start right now on working to identify controlled harvesting zones. There might also be—and we hope there will be—a little more respect for the flora and fauna than at present. That is our hope for these category III lands.

The act also makes modifications to category IA lands, where federal laws and regulations apply.

The Cree will therefore be the ones responsible for administration of these lands and they will ensure that they come under their jurisdiction and that the bylaws they enact to protect the flora and fauna can be respected.

Clause 9 of the bill sets out new provisions which will enable the Cree Regional Authority to enact bylaws and resolutions within the territorial limits of category IA and III lands. This is extremely complex, I know, but this is such an important bill for the nine Cree communities which will at last be able to take over their space.

I sense, Mr. Speaker, that you are wanting to interrupt me for question period or something else but I have so much still to say that I will, unfortunately for you, be back after question period.

Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) ActGovernment Orders

1:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Barry Devolin

I am sorry to interrupt the hon. member for Abitibi—Témiscamingue. He will have nine minutes remaining when debate on this bill resumes.

We proceed now with statements by members. The hon. member for Niagara West—Glanbrook.

Le Clos JordanneStatements By Members

1:55 p.m.

Conservative

Dean Allison Conservative Niagara West—Glanbrook, ON

Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw the attention of the House to a recent triumph of one of my constituency's famed wineries, Le Clos Jordanne.

In a recent competition held in Montreal by Cellier magazine, Californian wines competed against those from France to see if new world wines could outdo France's famous Bordeaux and Burgundy regions. What the judges of this competition did not know was that a Niagara wine was one of a handful of outsider wines that had been slipped into the competition to shake things up.

In the competition between the two world-famous wine regions of France and California, it was a bottle of Niagara's Le Clos Jordanne's Claystone Terrace '05 that took the number one spot.

I invite all members of the House to join me in congratulating the vintners of Le Clos Jordanne and to also join me in a reception hosted by the Canadian Vintners Association honouring our great Canadian wines later this evening.

Aboriginal WomenStatements By Members

May 26th, 2009 / 2 p.m.

Liberal

Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB

Mr. Speaker, on May 13 I stood in this House along with my colleague from Labrador and called on the government to launch an independent public investigation into the known 520 missing aboriginal women and girls in Canada. Last week we made a formal request to the justice minister. To date there has not yet been a response.

We know the government is still funding Sisters in Spirit, committed to by the previous Liberal government, and we commend that, but three years later it is simply not enough.

Forty-three per cent of those 520 cases have occurred just since the year 2000, a phenomenon that appears to be rising as more women go missing, three in Manitoba in the past year alone.

Aboriginal women deserve no less concern, no fewer investigations and no less protection than all women in Canada. We believe the government must act to answer the questions of why this is happening, why the investigations are falling short, and why the women and their families are not being acknowledged. They deserve no less. It is time. Canadians deserve no less.

Canadian Lavender ProducerStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Bloc

France Bonsant Bloc Compton—Stanstead, QC

Mr. Speaker, the tourism industry's 2009 Mercuriades gala was held on May 21 at the Montreal conference centre. Bleu Lavande was named SME of the year and also received an award in the SME market development category.

Perched atop Applegrove Hill in the quaint town of Fitch Bay in the southern part of my riding, the Bleu Lavande estate is the only Canadian producer of internationally certified lavender. Founded in 1999, the company has developed a new kind of expertise in Quebec over the years, an industry that would seem to be at odds with the local climate. Specialists consulted before the project got off the ground were unanimous in their opinion that it would fail miserably.

Today I would like to salute the founders, Christine Deschenes and Pierre Pellerin, and sincerely congratulate the entire Bleu Lavande team.

Jewish General HospitalStatements By Members

2 p.m.

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC

Mr. Speaker, in 1934, thanks to the combined efforts of its founders and many donors from the community, the Jewish General Hospital was established for the benefit of all people of Montreal.

Today, the Jewish General Hospital distinguishes itself by offering the very highest level of treatment and care to patients from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds, and is considered one of Canada's best acute care hospitals.

On June 18, 2009, I will have the honour of attending the gala commemorating the hospital's 75th anniversary. I would like to wish a happy anniversary to the hospital, its staff and its volunteers.

Firearms RegistryStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Conservative

Garry Breitkreuz Conservative Yorkton—Melville, SK

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to enthusiastically support private member's Bill C-391 to scrap the useless long gun registry. This bill, which was introduced by the member for Portage—Lisgar on May 15, 2009, is the only bill currently before Parliament that focuses solely on closing down the registry.

The members opposite complained that previous bills, including my own Bill C-301, contain unpalatable legislative details. Hopefully, opposition members will see fit to support this new revised bill.

The registry has not saved even one life during its 10 years of operation. Incredibly, now $2 billion later, the 1995 legislation has run 1,000 times over budget without any tangible result beyond creating a paper-pushing bureaucracy.

The time has come to cast aside politics and deal with reality. The time has come to support Bill C-391 so we can write the long gun registry into Parliament's history books once and for all.

Feed Nova ScotiaStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dianne Swinemar, executive director of Feed Nova Scotia, on receiving an honorary doctorate of civil law from St. Mary's University. This degree recognizes Ms. Swinemar's outstanding leadership in community activism.

I had the pleasure of working with Ms. Swinemar and I have long admired her commitment to ending chronic hunger and alleviating poverty.

Dianne led the transition of the Metro Food Bank Society from a Halifax based distribution centre to Feed Nova Scotia, a provincial food collection and distribution centre serving 150 food banks and meal programs province-wide. During the 2008 fiscal year, Feed Nova Scotia distributed 1.8 million kilograms of donated food valued at $14.4 million to local feeding programs across the province.

I ask the House to join me, her husband Lloyd, and her daughters Rebecca and Jennifer, in congratulating Ms. Swinemar on this well-deserved honour.

D-DayStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

Bradley Trost Conservative Saskatoon—Humboldt, SK

Mr. Speaker, in a little less than two weeks, Canadians will commemorate the 65th anniversary of D-Day, the day when allied troops began the final push to free Europe from Hitler's tyranny. Sixty-five years ago, 15,000 young Canadians swept ashore at Juno Beach to give their all for their country.

When Canadian forces hit the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944, they did not know if victory was assured. They did not know what the next day would bring. They only knew that they must go forward. They only knew that they must fight on. They only knew of their need for courage.

Canadians have long been willing to fight for their freedom and that day they did us proud. Believing in a cause greater than themselves, many sacrificed their all for a country they loved.

Over the next 11 days, I ask all Canadians to take some time to remember the battle, to remember the cause and to remember those who fought.

Alzheimer's DiseaseStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Bloc

Pierre Paquette Bloc Joliette, QC

Mr. Speaker, the ninth annual RONA Memory Walk is taking place on May 31, 2009. This year's walk marks a special anniversary, namely, the 20th anniversary of the Alzheimer Society of Lanaudière. The original walk for this cause in all of Quebec, the Lanaudière walk will take place with “family” as its theme.

Everyone is invited to take part in this walk and to raise funds in support of people who have this disease, as well as their loved ones. All the money raised will help to improve regional services. The Alzheimer Society of Lanaudière helps more than 6,000 people who have Alzheimer's disease and supports more and more natural caregivers who must also live with this disease.

I wish to sincerely congratulate all the volunteers and the organizers of this event. I would also like to commend the dedication shown by Janie Duval, the chair of the board of directors, Dr. Jean-Pierre Boucher, honorary president, and Magalie Dumas, director general of the society.

I therefore invite everyone to join me on May 31, 2009, in Joliette for the walk to support the Alzheimer Society.

TaxationStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Liberal Party refers to himself as a tax and spend Liberal. He said point blank that he would raise taxes. The Liberal Party even passed a policy at its recent convention reaffirming its support of a job-killing carbon tax.

Now the Liberals' new plan is to create a 45-day work year. The Liberal plan would lead to massive increases in job-killing payroll taxes, an increase in taxes that would hurt workers and small businesses alike.

It is becoming evident that the Liberals have never met a tax they did not like.

Fortunately, this Conservative government is in favour of cutting taxes. The Conservative government is providing $20 billion in additional personal income tax relief, which all economists agree that during a recession is the right thing to do.

Yvon FontaineStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Dominic LeBlanc Liberal Beauséjour, NB

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Mr. Yvon Fontaine, president of the Université de Moncton, who was elected the new president of the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie by over 60% of his peers.

This agency is a global network of 677 French-language higher education and research institutions. We are proud that Mr. Fontaine, a New Brunswick Acadian, is heading up such an important organization.

By becoming president of this agency, Mr. Fontaine has demonstrated that the New Brunswick francophonie is more vibrant and dynamic than ever. He is proof that the Canadian francophonie knows no borders and I am certain that he will proudly represent all French-speaking Canadians, particularly Acadians, during his term of office.

Mr. Fontaine, deserves our hearty congratulations.

Aboriginal AffairsStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB

Mr. Speaker, Bill C-8, the matrimonial real property bill, would correct a clear inequality that exists for those living on reserve by granting them basic rights and protections that all other Canadians currently enjoy in the event of a relationship breakdown. This inequality often adversely affects women and children the most.

Last night the opposition attempted to kill Bill C-8, but that attempt failed. I am pleased that this important piece of legislation will now get the discussion it deserves.

Despite a lot of misinformation, Bill C-8 would provide first nations communities the very thing that they are seeking, namely, the mechanism to enact their own culturally relevant laws without any involvement of the federal government.

The bill would also ensure that in the interim, as communities develop their own laws, families would be immediately protected from the legal void that has existed for far too long.

Extensive consultations were held, including with the Assembly of First Nations. It is time to act now based on many of the numerous studies on the subject that recommend it.

Windsor SpitfiresStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

NDP

Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON

Mr. Speaker, on Sunday in Rimouski, the Windsor Spitfires overcame tragedy, history and the odds to complete one of hockey's most sensational turnarounds: storming back from two opening round losses to decisively capture the Memorial Cup.

Their triumph was a powerful vindication for a team devastated last year by the tragic passing of their captain, Mickey Renaud. When the Spits gathered at centre ice for a victory photo, clutching the iconic No. 18 of their captain-in-spirit forever, Mickey was surely looking on, grinning in his unforgettable way, as this year's captain, Harry Young, hoisted the Memorial Cup in his place.

In overcoming this tragedy so fully, the team captured the spirit of an embattled community. They reminded us that whatever adversity the people of Windsor confront, they will persevere and ultimately triumph.

I know the House will join the member for Windsor West and me in thanking Rimouski for a world-class event and in congratulating the Spitfires on attaining, in unprecedented fashion, the highest pinnacle of Canadian junior hockey.

Leader of the Liberal Party of CanadaStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal leader enjoys himself. He enjoys announcing that he likes taxes and want to impose more taxes on us. He likes to raise Canadians' taxes. That is now very clear.

But he will not answer any more questions about his hidden fiscal agenda. He does not want to talk about it. It would certainly be embarrassing if he did, because he would be bombarded by criticism from across the country.

What taxes does he want to raise? Who will suffer these tax hikes? The disadvantaged? The unemployed? The poor? He should stand up in this House and tell us.

Because the Liberal leader prefers empty rhetoric and tax hikes, Canadians will reject the Trudeau-style Liberal patronage, a destructive ideology that brought us to the brink of social and economic bankruptcy. Quebeckers will remember that.

Mahmoud AbbasStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Bloc

Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC

Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw the attention of the House to the visit to Ottawa by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Born in Galilee in 1935, Mr. Abbas is one of the founding members of Fatah. After serving as prime minister under Yasser Arafat, he became president of the Palestinian Authority on Arafat's death.

Since he became involved in the Palestinian cause in the 1950s, this moderate has taken a clear stand in favour of diplomacy as a means of creating a Palestinian state. He also orchestrated the talks that led to the Oslo accords in 1993.

In keeping with its traditional position, the Bloc Québécois will continue to support an end to violence and the resumption of peace negotiations, as well as an end to the occupation and colonization of the occupied territory. Lastly, we can only reiterate our support for any action that promotes the creation of two sovereign states existing side by side.

We hope that his visit here will further peace in the Middle East.

Rural CommunitiesStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Liberal

Mark Eyking Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the Federation of Canadian Municipalities whose representatives were on the Hill today to release their report on the needs of rural communities, which is titled, “Wake-Up Call: The National Vision and Voice We Need for Rural Canada”.

Our rural communities and the industries that support them have been hit hard by the Conservative recession. Whether it is forestry, fisheries, agriculture, mining or tourism, the federal government needs to step up and do more to support these vital sectors during the downturn. A true recovery for Canada will only be achieved when the economy of rural Canada begins firing on all cylinders again. It is critical that the government stop taking rural Canada for granted and finally come forward with a focused strategy to address the many issues facing rural Canada.

We offer our thanks to the FCM representatives who have brought their message to Ottawa today.

We need action more than ever. The future of Canada relies on our rural regions.

Leader of the Liberal Party of CanadaStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Conservative

Earl Dreeshen Conservative Red Deer, AB

Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Liberal Party must be living on another planet or perhaps he is out of touch with reality because of his lengthy absence from Canada.

The leader of the Liberal Party recently said, “We will have to raise taxes”. How does the leader of the Liberal Party suppose that a tax increase will benefit hard-working Canadian families?

Canadians should not be surprised, however. They are becoming accustomed to these harmful Liberal economic policies. They know the Liberal Party would raise the GST. They know the Liberal Party would impose a job-killing carbon tax. They know the Liberal Party would eliminate the universal child care benefit.

The leader of the Liberal Party should stand up in the House today, come clean with Canadians and tell them which taxes he will raise, by how much he will raise them and who will be forced to pay these higher taxes.

Employment InsuranceOral Questions

2:15 p.m.

Etobicoke—Lakeshore Ontario

Liberal

Michael Ignatieff LiberalLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, in March, there were 65,000 new EI recipients. Nevertheless, more than 40% of unemployed workers still do not have access to the system, even though they paid into it. The problem is that there are 58 different regional eligibility thresholds, but just one national crisis.

Considering the national crisis, why does the Prime Minister refuse to improve access to employment insurance?

Employment InsuranceOral Questions

2:15 p.m.

Calgary Southwest Alberta

Conservative

Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister

Mr. Speaker, this government improved the employment insurance system by spending a lot more this year. Looking at the new figures, the reality is that we had more new EI recipients in March than new unemployed workers. This indicates that the vast majority of unemployed workers are receiving employment insurance.

Employment InsuranceOral Questions

2:15 p.m.

Etobicoke—Lakeshore Ontario

Liberal

Michael Ignatieff LiberalLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Minister of Finance admitted that the recession will be more serious than we originally thought. That might be news to this government, but not to the unemployed. If the recession is more serious than we thought, even more economic stimulus is needed.

What better stimulus than to improve employment insurance? Why does the Prime Minister refuse to act?