Guy St-Julien

[James Bay Cree, October 31st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the James Bay Cree will be able to deal with governments as equals in the application of commitments under recognized treaties.

This is the result of a ruling just handed down by the Supreme Court of Canada quashing an appeal lodged by Ottawa on September 5, 2001, against a Quebec Appeal Court decision. This was a decision recognizing the right of the James Bay Cree to deal with governments as equals vis-à-vis educational funding.

Grand Chief Ted Moses described this as an important ruling, because it puts an end to a years-long battle by the Cree to obtain the right to deal as equals with Canada and Quebec in decisions affecting Cree rights, in particular their cultural and language rights.

[Nunavik Marine Region, October 28th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, representatives of the Makivik Corporation, namely President Pita Aatami, Johnny Peters, and several Inuit people from Nunavik, as well as the hon. Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs and Liberal member for Kenora—Rainy River and the team of negotiators met on October 25, in Montreal, to sign the preliminary agreement concerning the Nunavik marine region.

This agreement in principle deals with an offshore region claimed by the Inuit of Nunavik and known as the Nunavik marine region.

The area is under the jurisdiction of the governments of Nunavut and Canada. It includes part of the islands and waters of Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait and Ungava Bay. It covers an area of 250,000 square kilometres.

This marine region is of vital importance to the Inuit of Nunavik, because nearly 85% of the wildlife harvesting takes place in that region.

[Forest Industry, October 22nd, 2002]

Madam Speaker, the forest industry applauds the Government of Canada's financial efforts to assist forestry workers and communities affected by the softwood lumber crisis with the United States.

Today, the big losers are the forestry contractors and the small independent sawmills. They are the ones to be hit first by the imposition of George “Wood” Bush's taxes.

Financial assistance is needed for the lumber companies and associations. A new program must be implemented to make loans to the lumber companies of Canada and Quebec.

[Petitions, October 22nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to table a petition signed by residents of Akulivik, a municipality of Nunavik, which is addressed to the federal government and concerns one of its departments, which ordered the killing of Inuit sled dogs from 1950 to 1969.

The federal government adopted a policy in support of these killings, and did not hold public consultations with the Inuit communities of New Quebec. Consequently, we are asking for a public inquiry into the federal dog killing policy that was implemented in Nunavik.

[Regional Development, October 4th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, Gilbert Bossé, a financier from Val-d'Or, wants to create a mini investment fund in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue to channel regional savings of $750 million into a local business start-up or development investment fund.

Project Frontenac, which Mr. Bossé hopes will be in operation in January, with an initial capital of $25 to $30 million, is designed to compensate for the imbalance that gives the five resource regions that make up 16% of the population less than 10% of start-up capital in Quebec.

The project is one of nine initiatives to promote economic development in resource regions that were presented at the Sommet des régions in Quebec City last November.

According to Jacques Talbot, the president of Val-d'Or's chamber of commerce, many other regions are already eyeing Project Frontenac with interest. He says that the fund will help new companies that require an investment of between $500,000 and $10 million to start up, businesses that are presently being neglected by Canadian financial institutions.

[Eaux Vives Harricana, October 2nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, Eaux Vives Harricana is launching a high end spring water for export, the Esker brand.

Eaux Vives Harricana has begun shipping its Esker famous spring water, which is bottled at Saint-Matthieu d'Harricana, in Abitibi.

According to vice-president Ghislain Gauthier, the Esker brand is trademark protected in 85 countries.

The official opening of the Harricana plant took place on September 18, and the President of Parmalat of North America, Michael Rosiski, was among those in attendance.

The Government of Canada is proud to see that it is possible to carry out projects that contribute to the diversification of the economy of Abitibi-Témiscamingue. It also takes pride in the fact that companies like Parmalat share the confidence felt by local businessmen, particularly the investors of Amos who had faith in this project.

[Petitions, October 1st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to table a petition signed by residents from Puvirnituq, in Nunavik, and several other communities. The petitioners are asking Parliament to set up a public inquiry to shed light on the policy of sled dog killings in New Quebec.

During the fifties and the sixties, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Government of Canada killed all sled dogs in Nunavik, and the Inuit from Nunavik are asking for an inquiry into the matter.

[Regional Economic Development, June 20th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, on June 17, on behalf of the Secretary of State responsible for Canada Economic Development for the Regions of Quebec and Liberal member for Beauce, I announced the awarding of a contribution of over $4.5 million to COREM, a consortium of applied research for the treatment and transformation of mineral substances.

This project will create some 15 to 20 high-skilled jobs. Canada Economic Development's mandate is to promote the economic development of the regions of Quebec. To that end, it focuses on two main areas of activity: enterprise development and improving the environment for economic development of the regions of Quebec.

The project will have an impact on the profitability of the entire Quebec mining industry. As well, it will benefit resource regions, more specifically in Abitibi--Témiscamingue, the lower north shore, James Bay and Nunavik.

[Committees of the House, June 20th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a comment and ask the member of the Bloc Quebecois a question , following what was said by the member of the New Democratic Party last week.

At this time, I strongly support the comments made by the member of the Bloc Quebecois. We know there are tax credits for investors in several sectors, including mining and forestry. Family trusts also benefit from tax credits.

I read the report and it is excellent. In remote areas, visits to the doctor can be extremely expensive. However, we must have a more humane approach and allow a minimum for basic expenses.

On March 31, 2002, two Challengers were purchased at a cost of $101 million. Today, we must decide that this unanimous report shall be concurred in.

My question for the member of the Bloc Quebecois is as follows. We know that there is a tax credit in Quebec. The province of Quebec has abided by the standard; it is more humane when it comes to persons with disabilities. I ask the member opposite to compare the Quebec tax credit with the federal one.

[*Question No. 164, June 20th, 2002]

With respect to aboriginal peoples' housing problems: ( a ) is there a mechanism by which first nations communities can obtain funding for housing; ( b ) how does Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) assess the needs expressed in this regard; ( c ) why do the main estimates for 2002-03 not set any housing objective; and ( d ) has INAC met its previous objectives with respect to construction or renovation of housing on the reserves, and if not, what is the explanation for the discrepancy between objectives and performance?