Charles Hubbard

[Aboriginal Affairs, October 24th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I am again really surprised with the tone of the hon. member's question.

Our government works very closely with first nations people to see that there is an adequate system of education.

He is asking about a small remote community in northern Ontario, of some 300 people, who have a chief and a council. They attempt to operate a band and a school in the best interest of their community.

I am sure that if the hon. member would work with first nations people that we would have more progress in their educational system.

[Aboriginal Affairs, October 10th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I am really shocked at the message that the hon. member has brought to the House.

We have attempted to work with the people of Davis Inlet. We have developed a new housing program for them. We have had certain difficulties. But for him to condemn those people the way he did today is certainly a shame to our Parliament.

[Aboriginal Affairs, September 23rd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I rather resent the fact that the member opposite has a very unfavourable position in terms of the relationships with the grand chiefs of more than 600 first nations peoples. They have a right to ask for changes within their offices and we, certainly, as a government have a right to consider those changes.

The decision has not been made but it will be made in due course. He certainly should have an office fitting the position he serves in this country

[Aboriginal Affairs, September 23rd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the matter is under review. A request has been made in terms of a change of leadership among the first nations peoples, and the grand chief will need some changes.

It is certainly a matter for review but, as of this date, no definite amount of money has been set aside for that purpose.

[First Nations Governance Act, June 5th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, as parliamentarians we all come to this House to do parliamentary business. We have to be very careful that we do not show a flagrant disrespect of the House and of the Speaker's rulings and proceed in the manner that has been outlined here by the member for Calgary Centre.

For the record, the committee received the bill last fall. It spent hours on the bill. It spent in fact the longest time of any bill that ever was processed before the House. The party that the member represents failed to come to any of those committee meetings, except for the last two or three when he also tried to obstruct that committee. It is very--

[First Nations Governance Act, June 3rd, 2003]

Madam Speaker, I would like members opposite to listen very carefully because I want to speak about the codes which are a very significant part of the bill.

As we crossed the country and listened to various first nations people, many of them said that codes already existed which were as good, if not better, than what the bill proposed. The government proposed this with Motion No. 89. Madam Speaker, I ask that you seek the unanimous consent of the House that we be allowed to bring this in as part of our legislation. It was denied by the Speaker. It certainly would be relevant to our first nations people to recognize the significance of the fact that they already have suitable codes in existence.

[Petitions, May 16th, 2003]

Madam Speaker, the second petition is from a group that is very much opposed to Bill C-250. They petition the House that the bill not be passed.

[Petitions, May 16th, 2003]

Madam Speaker, this petition is from many citizens living near the Kouchibouguac national park.

Most of them sold their property when the park was created. This year, due to a shortage, Parks Canada has prohibited clam digging in the park.

The petitioners point out that they regard clam digging for personal use as a historic right and they ask that the restriction be lifted.

[Aboriginal Peoples, April 11th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I speak a different language and I hope the translators have done well. However I have pointed out to the House that we have committed $137 million this year toward first nations housing.

I think that is quite adequate for now, but we certainly need more. Our government is working closely with first nations to improve the situation.

[Aboriginal Peoples, April 11th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. member is well aware that this year our government has committed some $137 million toward this program. Over the last few years, in fact since 1996, we have built nearly 2,600 new houses annually and have repaired some 3,300 on an annual basis.

We have made a strong effort to work with first nations.