Mr. Speaker, I just listened to the NDP member for Edmonton—Strathcona. This is not about discrimination. I am first nations. I expect a level of transparency and accountability to my band membership from my first nations leaders. Hearing the member across the floor say this insults me as a first nations. I am a Canadian. I want to hear what is being spent, as do my first nations band members.
I have an example here of trying to assist other band members from across Canada. In one place in northern Ontario, an ATIP request was made to the department asking for financial accountability from the leaders. Year after year, these audited reports express serious concerns about the reporting practices of this band. How long does a band have? The auditors state that there are serious deficiencies in the accounting records with respect to expenses, or that the consolidated financial statements do not present fairly the financial position of this band.
Could the minister tell us why it is important for the bill to be time allocated?