Debates of Oct. 27th, 2020

Indigenous Affairs

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, whether it is me now, ministers of the Crown or the Prime Minister, I think the government has been very clear in regard to the issue. The government does fully respect and affirms the right of the Mi'kmaq to fish in pursuit of a moderate livelihood. There should be absolutely no doubt about that.

I found it interesting when the member was talking about the relationship. There has been lots of discussion to date on the issue and, no doubt, there will continue to be ongoing dialogue. I think that can be a very positive thing, especially having this issue brought up in the House. It never hurts to do that.

The member made reference to that relationship, and the relationship between the national government and indigenous peoples is in fact a very important one. It has been from day one and even before that. I have seen the Prime Minister's commitment and caring attitude in terms of indigenous peoples and wanting to establish that nation-to-nation level of respect. I have witnessed that in terms of the Prime Minister's establishment of two departments. I have seen ministers go out and do whatever they possibly can.

I can appreciate that it has been 25 years and that it would have been absolutely wonderful to see the negotiations get to a point where they would never hit what we have witnessed over the last number of weeks. Unfortunately, that is not the case. However, it is important that we are very clear that our government has always recognized and will continue to recognize and respect the affirmed treaty rights of the Mi'kmaq to fish in pursuit of a moderate livelihood. There is absolutely no doubt about that.

Also, every Canadian, everyone, deserves to be safe and be afforded equal protection. There is no question that this applies to all Mi'kmaq and to all Canadians.

The member made reference to incidents that have occurred that upset a great deal of Canadians, not only elected officials or people of indigenous backgrounds but Canadians and society as a whole. I have personally received, while representing the riding of Winnipeg North, many emails on the issue. I believe that the government for a long time now has been trying its best to get some sort of resolution to the seriousness of the issue. We have more than two ministers who have dedicated a great deal of their efforts, and the Prime Minister's Office continues to want to see progress on this file.

Whether from seeing videos or hearing indirectly through others about some of the things taking place, I have—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès), Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for Courtenay—Alberni.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Madam Speaker, where I live, the government has spent over $21 million on lawyers alone fighting the Nuu-chah-nulth over their right to catch and sell fish.

Is this what caring and trying looks like? This is what colonizers, and power and suppression look like. This is what a violation of international human rights looks like. The Supreme Court judge in the Nuu-chah-nulth case, for example, scolded the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for knowingly sending its negotiators to the table empty handed, disgusted with the attitude of the government.

The systemic racism is so deep that we hear it right now in the House of Commons. Another example is what we are hearing from the member: He is caring and trying, and this is the most important relationship, but we will see them in court. That is what we keep hearing from the government.

We need better. The Mi'kmaq fishers deserve their right to a moderate living. The Nuu-chah-nulth deserve their right to earn a living, and they deserve to be safe. They deserve to have their human rights protected and respected. That is what the government has a duty to do.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Madam Speaker, the government is doing its duty. I do not want to turn this into a political discussion, but I can cite many faults of the New Democratic government in Manitoba with regard to how it dealt with issues that are really important for indigenous people.

I will make this very clear. On nation-to-nation discussions, I can assure the House and Canadians that the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans has been working diligently on a path forward. He is having regular discussions with first nations leadership to further implement the rights we have referenced.

I remind the House that it was made clear by the Supreme Court that the best vehicle for the Government of Canada to accommodate treaty rights is through consultations and negotiations. However, we all know negotiations take time. As these nation-to-nation discussions have been occurring, the minister recently named a neutral third party representative to help foster an understanding between first nations and commercial harvesters. This is a very—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès), Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

The motion that the House do now adjourn is deemed to have been adopted. Accordingly, the House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 2 p.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 7 p.m.)