Debates of Sept. 17th, 2012

Aboriginal Affairs

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to speak to the question from the hon. member for Manicouagan.

I assure the hon. member that our government takes its legal duty to consult with aboriginal groups very seriously. Not only is consultation an important part of good governance, sound policy development and decision-making, but Canada has a legal duty to consult aboriginal groups where appropriate. For example, consultation with aboriginal people is an important pillar of the responsible resource development initiative that was announced recently. This initiative is our government's plan to modernize our regulatory system so that Canada's natural resources are responsibly developed for the benefit of all Canadians.

In 2010, natural resource sectors employed over 760,000 workers in communities throughout the country. In the next 10 years more than 500 major economic projects, representing over $500 billion in new investments, are planned across Canada. Unfortunately, major economic projects in Canada are currently subjected to long, unpredictable and potentially endless delays because of a needlessly complex and duplicative approval process.

That is why our government is taking action in the economic action plan to streamline the review process for major economic projects. Our government will put in place a system of one project, one review in a clearly defined time period. We propose to do this by enhancing consultations with aboriginal peoples and by making reviews of major natural resource projects more predictable and timely. We also want to reduce duplication in the review process and strengthen environmental protection. Streamlining the approval process for major economic projects will result in the creation of good, well-paying and skilled jobs while still protecting the environment.

I would also add that our government takes a whole of government approach to consultation to ensure that meaningful consultation is carried out on resource projects and other activities. Meaningful consultation also supports aboriginal peoples in their efforts to improve social well-being and economic prosperity and develop healthier, more sustainable communities. These consultations also support aboriginal people to participate more fully in Canada's political, social and economic development.

Our government continues to work in concert with aboriginal peoples because we want informed decisions to be made to meet today's needs and those of future generations.

[Jonathan Genest-Jourdain, NDP, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, that is precisely the problem.

The member on the other side of the House said that consultations had been carried out in the communities, and that there was also a fiduciary relationship.

I think that is pro forma because if you think about it, there is always a possibility.

When they talk about consulting the communities, there is a chance that a community says no, the equivalent of stonewalling, but that cannot be true for every project. However, it is a possibility. During a consultation, it is possible to oppose a project.

Now, they are trying to limit debate here. They simply talk about an obligation to consult our country's aboriginal communities. I would say that there is an obligation to consult all Canadians because this will ultimately have repercussions for all Canadians.

The government is trying to be divisive, to keep people in a vacuum. It says that it will look at what is going on in aboriginal communities in the country, that it will speak to them independently. It is dividing and conquering.

That is what we are seeing. In my own community, they say that we should not go talk to the people of Natuashish. They are not the same. We must not talk to the people of Mashteuiats, because they are not the same as the Innu of Uashat. The government is trying to be divisive. I would say that this is in order to prevent people from opposing and objecting. Public approval is needed to move forward with—

[The Acting Speaker, Bruce Stanton]

The hon. parliamentary secretary.

[Colin Carrie, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said, our government takes its consultation obligations seriously.

As the hon. member for Manicouagan knows, our government has a legal duty to consult and, where appropriate, accommodate aboriginal groups if it has been determined that treaty and aboriginal rights could be impacted.

That is why our government meets its legal duty to consult through meaningful and direct consultation with aboriginal communities. We want their views to be taken into consideration when making decisions on projects that could adversely affect their rights. This meaningful consultation supports the Canadian economy by moving projects forward.

I will repeat again: meaningful consultation is a priority for our government.

[The Acting Speaker, Bruce Stanton]

The motion to adjourn the House is now deemed to have been adopted. Accordingly, the House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 6:49 p.m.)