Madam Speaker, kuei, kwe. I rise today to acknowledge the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, like the Huskies from Rouyn-Noranda, who are once again this year dedicating a special game to reconciliation with first nations in order to honour the indigenous children who were lost in the residential school system. This event is being organized in my riding in collaboration with the organization Minwashin, whose name means “that which is beautiful”. I am particularly proud of this organization.
Today, I urge everyone to make a commitment to improving dialogue and recognizing each person's right to self-determination. We had travelled some distance on the road to reconciliation, but then Ottawa failed with Bill C‑5. It failed to consult, to listen and to obtain free, prior and informed consent. However, there is still time to come together in a big circle, to finally share our human and environmental values and to jointly build major projects in our communities through respect for genuine partnerships.
To achieve reconciliation with first nations, we must first make more of an effort to acknowledge their truth. My sincere wish is for us to be completely open to a long-term dialogue.