Jane Stewart

[Aboriginal Affairs, October 28th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, let me clarify that I am a farm girl. Like all farmers and indeed all Canadians, we understand that in order to be effective all governments must be accountable and transparent. The First Nations understand that as well.

That is why in partnership with this government we are working on a program to review the management practices of every First Nation in Canada. We are doing that at the local level. At the regional level, chiefs like the chiefs of Alberta are coming together to set minimum standards for accountability practices in their work with their communities. At the national level—

[Aboriginal Affairs, October 28th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, in my view what the hon. member is clarifying is the relationship that the Reform Party would build with First Nations in this country if it had a chance. What the Reform Party would do is make sure it took $1 billion out of services and programs that go directly to First Nations. The Reform Party would ensure that the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development used nothing but policing mechanisms like forensic audits.

We have learned that we have to go beyond that controlling relationship and build a partnership with First Nations.

[Aboriginal Affairs, October 26th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, it is just the opposite I am afraid. For the last five years all I have heard coming from the Reform Party are things like “Why do we not just get rid of section 35 in the Constitution. Why do we not cut $900 million from the department of Indian affairs for the provision of services and programs for aboriginal people. Why do we not just pay aboriginal people a lump sum of money and tell them to go and build their schools and roads”. I do not hear those questions coming from the hon. member at all.

[Aboriginal Affairs, October 26th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I am glad that the opposition has finally come to its senses and has realized that the circumstances on reserves are difficult and do need the support of all of us.

For far too long the solutions have been have the federal government come to the rescue, have the federal government fix the problems. We tried that at the turn of the century and it has not worked. Our approach now is to work in partnership with first nations, my goodness perhaps even with members of the opposition, to build a plan that will create real change on behalf of aboriginal people.

[Aboriginal Affairs, October 26th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the pictures that members may have seen on the weekend are what I am confronted with on a daily basis as Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

These are real people with real problems and they demand real change. I am glad for this question and look forward to others which will give us the opportunity to discuss the complex relationship that exists between aboriginal people and the Government of Canada, which allow us to explore past approaches which have not worked in making change for aboriginal peoples, and to share with this House the real approach that will make sustainable change on behalf of aboriginal people that this government has presented.

[Aboriginal Affairs, October 19th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the opposition would do well to read the Constitution of Canada.

We believe firmly in section 35 of the Constitution and will protect it.

[Aboriginal Affairs, October 19th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, our position on the constitutionality of the Nisga'a agreement has clearly been made in the House and in other areas.

As it is now before the courts it is inappropriate for me to comment further.

[Cree-Naskapi Commission, October 9th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages and in Cree and Naskapi, the 1998 report of the Cree-Naskapi commission.

I want to thank the Cree-Naskapi commission for its important work. I look forward to reviewing the recommendations of the commission.

[Aboriginal Affairs, September 30th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, what I will say is that we are making progress with the legal rights that aboriginal people have in this country.

It was an honour for me on August 4 to stand with colleagues in my caucus and hundreds of people in New Aiyansh in the hon. member's riding to celebrate an historic moment in Canadian history, the initialling of the final agreement with the Nisga'a people.

Fundamentally this is a very complex treaty. But the Nisga'a people, instead of being marginalized, will be embraced and included in this great country.

[Aboriginal Affairs, September 30th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I welcome the work of the auditor general in the area of the comprehensive land claims process.

I note that he says that under the best of circumstances reaching comprehensive land claim settlements is a very difficult challenge. I would agree with him.

Do we have the process perfectly worked out yet? No, we do not. Are we making progress? Yes, we are.

Most important, the question is whether it is the right thing to do. Absolutely it is. This government is committed to making good these long outstanding claims in a fair and equitable way at the negotiating table.