Lost his last election, in 2000, with 36% of the vote.
Aboriginal Affairs April 22nd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, here we go again.
I would only say to the hon. member that she may want to ask her lead critic why he stands in the House of Commons complaining and fearful that we might be acting ahead of the people of British Columbia, when in the standing committee he was arguing to have the budget tripled and to move quickly on the Nisga'a treaty. Which is it?
Aboriginal Affairs April 22nd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, we have never purported to interfere with the democratic process of the people of British Columbia and the due process that has to take place with respect to that legislation in their House.
What we have promised, through the Prime Minister and through my minister, is that when our time comes to do what we have to do in this House, we will do it, do it thoroughly, do it properly and live up to our obligations.
Aboriginal Affairs April 22nd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I would point out to the hon. member and to the House, and I find this quite interesting, that only a couple of weeks ago he was scolding the Government of Canada for moving too quickly ahead of the B.C. government.
Only two weeks ago at the standing committee the hon. member wanted us to increase the budget threefold to study the Nisga'a bill. He keeps changing his story. Every two weeks it is one way or the other. What does the hon. member want us to do? Let him clarify his question and not this side of the House.
Sechelt First Nations April 16th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, today our government marks another important milestone in Canada's history with a treaty signing with the Sechelt First Nations in British Columbia.
In the short time since we began charting a new course with the aboriginal people under our initiative called Gathering Strength, we have concluded landmark treaty agreements with the Sechelt and Nisga'a in British Columbia, and we have witnessed the birth of a new territory called Nunavut. These historic events reflect the spirit behind Gathering Strength.
Each agreement reflects solutions that are uniquely suited to the needs and aspirations of various aboriginal communities, respecting the diversity of our country that is a hallmark of Canadian federation.
This government has demonstrated its dedication to fairness and justice through the negotiation of honourable treaties. We are determined to reconcile the past so that we can plan for a brighter future.
Today, with aboriginal people in Canada, we share our common future with pride and dignity.
Aboriginal Affairs April 15th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I thought I had answered the question previously. I will say it once again to the member and I will say it slowly.
If the member would read the treaty he would find a specific provision that says that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms applies to all Canadians and all the Nisga'a people.
Aboriginal Affairs April 15th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is again confusing two different pieces of legislation. He does not understand Bill C-49 or the Nisga'a legislation.
The hon. member knows this. His party and leader should know this. In the treaty that was signed, there are specific provisions which provide for the application of the charter of rights and freedoms as to all Canadians.
Aboriginal Affairs April 15th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I can advise the House and the hon. member that we have received the petition from the Kamloops band for this particular amendment to the Canada Labour Code. We have deemed that it is out of order and we have given that notice to the chief and council of the Kamloops band. We consider the matter closed.
Aboriginal Affairs March 19th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for his interest in this issue and his good work on the standing committee on Indian affairs.
I am pleased to report to him and to the House that while we are here today, my minister is in the community of Waskaganish in the northern Quebec region signing an agreement with her Quebec counterpart on a new $40 million road. It will connect for the first time all the Cree communities to southern Quebec. I am pleased to make that announcement. I thank the hon. member for his good work on this file.
Aboriginal Affairs March 12th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his interest in this very important and critical issue to all Canadians.
I am pleased to report to the House that on March 10, with national Chief Phil Fontaine, the Government of Canada, through my minister, made a announcement of an additional $20 million for housing for aboriginal people on reserve.
This responds to our ongoing commitment, our concern for our first nations people on reserve. It gives them the opportunity to live in housing conditions that are acceptable to all Canadians.
Income Tax Act March 9th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to respond to the member's question.
There are only two minutes to respond. I will consult my notes briefly but I think by listening to the premise of the hon. member's question, he is absolutely wrong. I wish he would review his history with respect to the rule of law, contract law and some of the legal decisions that were handed down to this country through the privy council office even in England long before any of us arrived in the House of Commons. This set out the rules very clearly that the first nations in Canada had a legal interest in the land.
We had signed the treaties, therefore, based on the legal process. The land was given away illegally by successive federal and provincial governments. We are trying to rectify that.
I agree with the member that it is collectively a Canadian decision. The hon. member will know as well that under section 91 we have responsibilities at the federal level and under section 92 those are responsibilities at the provincial level as well. We are working within those responsibilities, in this case with the Government of Saskatchewan, to address those compensation issues.
I remind the hon. member that legally in this case we have no obligation to provide those kinds of grants back to the municipalities. It is done as a gesture to work and facilitate relationships between all the interested parties.
The member said he spoke for western Canada. That is not the case at all. I am from western Canada and I do not share his view on this process.
We are talking about Saskatchewan. We are working very closely with the Saskatchewan government to work out under the treaty land entitlement process acceptable arrangements. We are still in discussions with respect to fair compensation for third party interests that we recognize as legitimate.