Nancy Karetak-Lindell

[Firefighters, June 10th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I too am pleased to speak to the motion.

The Government of Canada is committed to protecting and promoting Canadian heritage. Canada has a rich and diverse history and cultural heritage, which all Canadians celebrate.

In this the year of the veteran, 60 years after the end of World War II, we have also been reminded that Canadians owe a debt of recognition and respect to the men and women who have served in Canada's armed forces, particularly during times of war and especially to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our nation.

We have been reminded that there are too many stories that have been untold. Sadly, many parts of Canada's complex story remain uncelebrated, not just histories of the war and our veterans. One of these many stories is that of the courage and sacrifice of Canada's firefighters who have died in the line of duty, serving communities across the country. I have been privileged to attend ceremonies at Rideau Hall where firefighters have received Orders of Canada, but we need to do more.

The story of Canada's fallen firefighters is one that should be commemorated in the national capital and therefore I wish to voice my support for Motion No. 153.

I am happy to note that the National Capital Commission and the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation have agreed on a location at LeBreton Flats. The foundation itself advocates the appropriateness of the LeBreton Flats location because of the space available and accessibility. At the request of the foundation, the NCC has agreed to reserve a location for the new monument to Canadian firefighters for three years.

The Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation is a long time proponent of a national monument commemorating fallen firefighters. Its main aims are: to see a national monument to firefighters constructed in the national capital; to hold a memorial service for fallen firefighters at the monument every year; to care for the families left behind through scholarships and financial assistance; to assist official efforts to recognize fallen firefighters; and, to promote initiatives aimed at increasing fire and life safety awareness.

Both the monument and the memorial ceremony have been envisioned in the most inclusive way, encompassing firefighters of every rank and region, city and country. The foundation has long expressed its desire to ensure that the monument will honour all firefighters across the country and has stated:

All races, creeds, cultures, religions will be respected and those who carry no religious connection are equally part of this Memorial.

Clearly, the intent seems to be to create a new monument that will, in honouring firefighters, also reflect what we should continually celebrate about Canada: the diversity of our land and people, and the outstanding commitment of individuals to contribute to the good of their communities and the nation.

Poll after poll tells us that Canadians want to know more about our own history and that Canadians want more opportunities to celebrate our diverse heritage and the achievements of the nation and outstanding Canadians.

Firefighters are an integral part of Canadian heritage. As well as saving lives, firefighters must also be recognized for their contributions to the economy of the country, saving the businesses and places which support the prosperity of Canadians. They keep us safe through the less glamorous, but equally, they do vital work in public safety, public education, fire prevention and accident prevention.

People are usually afraid of fire so the individuals who make it their business to step toward what any normal person fears are very special individuals.

Today the House has an opportunity to support the motion and essentially agree that the time has come for the duly elected representatives of Canadians to recognize the contribution of firefighters and to remember those firefighters who have died in the line of duty serving Canadians.

[Nunavut Youth Leaders, June 10th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, May 27 the Nunatsiaq News published a feature called “Top 10 Under 35”. This feature highlighted several young people who have made extraordinary contributions to Nunavut and Nunavik. Nine of the honourees are from my riding, Nunavut.

I would like to make mention of these young leaders as we are so fortunate to have them as role models. The nine from Nunavut are Madeleine Allakariallak, Jolene Kuluk Arreak, Letia Cousins, Tanya Tagaq Gillis, Lori Idlout, Lucie Idlout, Jackie Price, Alexander Stubbing and Hamish Tungulak Tatty.

These young leaders come from various backgrounds, music, business, government and archaeology, among other areas. What they all have in common is a passionate interest in Nunavut and the desire and ability to make a difference.

I ask my colleagues to join me in honouring and congratulating these exceptional young people.

[Committees of the House, June 8th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development regarding the on reserve matrimonial real property. I want to take this opportunity to thank our members for the tremendous work done, as it is a unanimous report, as well as the clerk and the researchers.

[Aboriginal Affairs, June 8th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, May 31, 2005, the Inuit of Canada signed a historic partnership accord with the Government of Canada. It was signed on our behalf by Mr. Jose Kusugak, the president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the national Inuit organization, with the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

Similar accords were signed with the four other national aboriginal groups. The joint accords reflect the government's commitment to renewing its relationship with the aboriginal peoples of Canada in a manner that respects aboriginal and treaty rights and the unique place of aboriginal peoples in the Canadian federation.

The accords also reflect the government's commitment to strengthening the policy capacity of aboriginal organizations to contribute more effectively to public policy making.

I would like to recognize the Prime Minister of Canada for this bold measure as well as all the people involved in the process. I look forward to working with him and the cabinet's aboriginal affairs committee to move critical issues affecting Inuit forward.

[Aboriginal Affairs, June 1st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask a question of great national importance.

Last night the Prime Minister concluded an unprecedented cabinet committee meeting with the national aboriginal leaders. He said that the meeting marked a new beginning in the relationship with Canada's first nations, Inuit and Métis.

Could the Minister of Indian Affairs explain how yesterday's meeting marks a new beginning for us?

[Committees of the House, May 10th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I find it quite amusing in a way that in the eight years that I have been here we have never had debates lasting three hours on any concurrence of any report that I know of in the numbers that we are doing it in this session.

If the party across the way is as serious about aboriginal peoples as they say, they would have supported the Tlicho land claims agreement that was before the House in December. To this day, in the eight years that I have been here, I have never seen the party under all their different names support a land claims agreement.

Also, in this very committee the members opposite from the Conservative Party were told and requested by the Assembly of First Nations, AFN, not to go ahead with the motion. In a way I can honestly say that we are the people over here who speak for the aboriginal people of Canada. The Conservatives do not support even the direction given by the Assembly of First Nations when they are requested to do so.

Again, we see that as they know best what is good for us as the people of Canada. Frankly, I do not agree with that.

[Committees of the House, May 10th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to say that I am splitting my time with the member for Kitchener Centre.

I think most of the members in this House of Commons who have been here in the almost eight years that I have been a member know that I do not get up to do a lot of trivial debate. I think my record speaks for itself. If there are issues that are very important to the first peoples of Canada I will take the opportunity to stand and be their voice in the House of Commons.

I think members can count the number of times that I have stood to debate in this House of Commons and it will only be on issues that are felt strongly by the people who I represent. I think my record will speak for itself.

[Committees of the House, May 10th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I move that the third report of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, presented to the House on Friday, March 11, be concurred in.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to split my time with the member for Yukon.

As we know, this report from the aboriginal affairs committee presented to the House on March 11 concerns the Inuit sled dogs and the request to have a judicial inquiry.

We heard from different witnesses who came before the committee of how important this was for the people of the north. It not only concerns people from my riding but it also concerns people from northern Quebec.

We are known as one group of people under, as I like to say, the umbrella of aboriginal people of Canada who are recognized by the Constitution. We are one of the three groups, which is the first nations, the Inuit and the Métis, who are recognized by the Constitution of Canada.

The Inuit have always considered themselves as one group of people, even though we are in Labrador, northern Quebec, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

We know that our history is very recent. In the 1950s and 1960s people were still living out on the land and were very reluctant to move into the communities. They feel that one of the ways that the Government of Canada tried to get them moved to the communities was to get rid of their transportation, which is the reason for the motion. The people of the north feel there needs to be a judicial inquiry into exactly what the motivation was behind the Inuit dogs being slaughtered in the 1950s and 1960s.

We have firsthand interventions and firsthand witnesses who went through that and they would very much like the government to appoint a judge to look into the slaughter. People need the chance to tell their stories and find out exactly what the reason was behind doing this and whether there can be some reconciliation between themselves and the Government of Canada.

I would like to give the member for Yukon an opportunity to speak.

[Canada Labour Code, May 10th, 2005]

Motion No. 26, Mr. Speaker.

[The Environment, May 6th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, on April 22, international Earth Day, I, along with many children, men and women and elders of Iqaluit were out on the sea ice to celebrate Arctic wisdom. We were joined by many visitors to the capital of our territory, including American friends.

In the gusty winds and a temperature of minus 20, we produced a human aerial art image showcasing the devastating impact of global warming on Arctic ice to bring further awareness and action to the serious problem of climate change in the Arctic and the people who live there. The caption was “Arctic Warning Naalagit” which means “listen”. This event was televised internationally.

Also out on the sea ice with me was Sheila Watt-Cloutier, who that week had been named as a Global Civil Society Champion of the Earth by the United Nations. She had also just received the prestigious Norwegian Sophie Award for her outstanding environmental work in attracting international recognition to the devastating impact global warming has--