Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague across the way for her comments, although I am a little confused about some of the things she said.
I am going to ask a couple of simple questions, and hopefully she can give me some simple answers.
First and foremost, the member talked about the importance of providing aboriginal people with some opportunities.
The opportunity that this act provides for aboriginal people is the opportunity for economic development, because when we are talking about economic development, ensuring that aboriginal people can come together and produce ideas that lead to job creation, which leads to economic growth for them, is important.
Only through elections that allow for them to work together for longer periods of time is that possible. That is why Manitoba chiefs came together and asked that there be a change.
The member went on and on about Manitoba, and how Manitoba chiefs did not want this measure. I would like the member to name at least three chiefs she has consulted with in Manitoba. I was the aboriginal affairs parliamentary secretary when this all started with the Manitoba chiefs, and I have met with dozens of them who agree that this is in fact a step forward that they would like to see.
I would like the member to name just three Manitoba chiefs she has consulted with.