Mr. Speaker, it is clear in the judgment that government lawyers attacked the rights of every single species of the Nuu-chah-nulth that they brought forward in the court case. This is not the mandate of reconciliation. This is not how one treats their best friend, attacking them at every opportunity, coming to the table empty-handed, stymying negotiations. That is not reconciliation.
If the government suggests that the term sheet needs to be reconsidered or re-examined in any way as a result of the court decision, it should be noted that all three ministers at the June 2016 meeting specifically assured the nations that the positions being taken in court in the legal arguments that were filed that week do not represent the views of the ministers. Are they now reneging on that assurance?
Joe Wild told the nations point-blank that the reconciliation process and the term sheet are not dependent on the court decision. This is consistent with the ministers' assurances given in June 2016. Is Canada now betraying that commitment as well?