Jane Stewart

[Aboriginal Affairs, April 1st, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I think these questions clearly differentiate that side from this side of the House.

We look at this tragedy and we look at the approach of this side of the House. We have government departments working side by each with people in the First Nation and with the province to find the solutions and answer the question.

What do those members do? They point fingers, create division, incite doubt. They insist on finding blame. These approaches do not work when what we are trying to do is to build strong communities, to find the answers and to do it together.

[Aboriginal Affairs, April 1st, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the chief of this first nation has been in constant contact with the family of Connie Jacobs. These people are duly elected, as we are in this House.

These people opposite continue to undermine the democratic process that has built this great country and I find it an outrage.

[Aboriginal Affairs, April 1st, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, let us remember what has happened here. Two people are dead and a community is in mourning.

In response to that there is a criminal investigation under way. There is an inquiry under the fatalities act of the province in which all parties, the federal government, the province and aboriginal people, will have some input.

I find it appalling that the opposition continues to use this tragedy to try to proceed with its agenda of undermining duly elected chiefs and councils in this country.

[Aboriginal Affairs, March 31st, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, when we are talking about the issues of welfare reform, about providing infrastructure, housing, sewer and water, about providing access to education and access to economic development to first nations communities, we are talking about the work of the royal commission. We are talking about gathering strength.

This government's response is to that grassroots report that is so very important which I would suggest the member read.

When talking about the tragedies that occurred on the Tsuu T'ina reserve, the death of Connie Jacobs and her son and the investigation that is essential to be undertaken to satisfy the questions the family has—

[Nunavut Act, March 31st, 1998]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-39, an act to amend the Nunavut Act and the Constitution Act, 1867.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Aboriginal Affairs, March 30th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, just to reiterate, the government takes this circumstance extremely seriously. My colleagues and I are looking at the history associated with this. We will act to include the Dene people in our review. We are taking a very responsible and focused approach to this.

[Aboriginal Affairs, March 30th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, in partnership with my colleague, the Minister of Natural Resources, we are looking into the history associated with this particularly difficult circumstance.

It behoves us to understand the circumstances as they have occurred over the course of time. Indeed we will be involving the Dene people as we further our understanding of this investigation.

[Aboriginal Affairs, March 30th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, on September 11, 1997, the hon. member for Skeena said “The Tsuu T'ina band have used their wealth to build themselves into one of the most self-sufficient and successful bands in this country”.

I have to ask the hon. member why all of a sudden he has changed his point of view. Why is it that only when there is a tragedy or an issue of division the hon. member raises issues in support of aboriginal people.

The answers to these questions and the challenges are with us. They are about building in partnership strong aboriginal nations with accountable transparent governments.

[Aboriginal Affairs, March 30th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I might take the advice of the hon. member seriously if I felt he had any credibility at all on aboriginal issues. His party has not read or understood the work of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. His party has not read or understood the response to that work from this side of the House in Gathering Strength.

We have a comprehensive approach that focuses on the issues of welfare reform, the provision of infrastructure, the strengthening of education, all things that will help build a stronger Tsuu T'ina Nation and other first nations in the country.

[Indian Affairs And Northern Development, March 26th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, we are there in partnership with the province, First Nations and third parties to deal with a long outstanding issue.

For the sake of the House, members may not understand that in the province of British Columbia we do not have treaties with our First Nations.

I applaud the people of British Columbia for understanding the importance of negotiating treaties with the First Nations in that province. It will bring certainty not only to the third parties referred to by the hon. member but to First Nations as well.