Mr. Speaker, in his song Les Yankees, Richard Desjardins sang the following: We come on behalf of Big Control
...
The president has ordered me
To bring peace to the entire world...
Basically, this is what indigenous people are being told: We come as friends
But enough discussion
Now sign your submission...
The government sends a letter and gives grand chiefs five days to relinquish their rights, so it can say that first nations have been consulted. However, I do not see that as consultation. Not every community has been consulted. The government is ignoring the fact that all nations have different ways of doing things. In my view, the government is telling first nations and the people of Quebec how things are going to be.
Does the minister agree that a little more time should be taken in order to respect the spirit of reconciliation and consultation with first nations?