Mr. Speaker, exactly what I talked about was improving the democratic process for first nations that want to opt in to a new first nations elections act. That is exactly what some other people have said.
I will continue with some positive comments. Chief Candice Paul, then executive co-chair of the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs, said:
Our member chiefs do support Bill S-6 as it currently stands. We feel it reflects the recommendations in a resolution we adopted in January of 2011, asking the minister to draft legislation that would present a strong alternative to the Indian Act election system.
Chief Jody Wilson-Raybould from British Columbia, my home province, and regional chief of the Assembly of First Nations, said:
In conclusion, for nations that want to use them, there is no question that the election rules that have been developed in Bill S-6 and that will be expanded in regulations are superior and more thought through than those under the Indian Act.
This is something that first nations have been calling for. We are responding. We will continue to work with willing partners, first nations that want to see these sorts of things go forward. We would ask the opposition to, for once, join with us in supporting first nations across the country instead of voting against every positive measure that we take in those communities.