moved that the bill be read the third time and passed.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 1993, with 53% of the vote.
Sahtu Dene And Metis Land Claim Settlement Act June 13th, 1994
moved that the bill be read the third time and passed.
Sahtu Dene And Metis Land Claim Settlement Act June 13th, 1994
moved that the bill be concurred in.
(Motion agreed to.)
Indian Affairs June 13th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, similar to what the other minister has said I do not know if I could look into what the former government's thought process was or what it was doing.
My friend makes mention of a response. I did give him a response. I gave my friend the response in writing. It was to the extent that there was, I forget the exact numbers because it has been a couple of months now, about $200,000 paid to a group in Oka. Of this I think $50,000 approximately-I will give him the correct figure later, as a matter of fact he has it in his letter-was paid to a numbered company. Beyond that I do not know the role of Mr. Peltier in any shape or form. I know he was in there. I know he was helping out. We would have to go back to what the former government was doing in the circumstances.
Yukon First Nations Self-Government Act June 9th, 1994
I have a question for the hon. member.
He used words like "ramming, listening and a new style of government" which I suppose means more consultation and more listening. It is my information that the CYI, the leadership headed up by Mrs. Judy Gingell, were here for a week and a half up to second reading trying to arrange meetings with the Reform Party without success. There were no meetings until after second reading.
In this broad consultation and this ramming and secret agendas that the hon. member has talked about, has he talked to any of the First Nations of the Yukon personally?
Yukon First Nations Self-Government Act June 9th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I want to follow up on that question of the NDP member because I do not think it was answered.
The hon. member talked about equality and citizenry. The people we are talking about had been there for 10,000 years. They were citizens. They had their own laws. They had a religion which we took away. They had customs which we took away. They had a system in place.
When the non-aboriginals came to the area, as has been expressed by others in the House, they came with a certain amount of avarice in their hearts. They wanted to take the land, the mines and the lumber, and they did.
Now we have a situation where we have the wealth and they have the poverty. That is the situation. We have before us 21 years of negotiations drawing aboriginal people back into the process honourably with a lot of transparent and open negotiation, bringing them back to sharing resources with us, which was the original intent.
Where specifically does the hon. member think the legislation falls short?
Yukon First Nations Self-Government Act June 9th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, as I heard the member for Prince George-Bulkley Valley, he asked who speaks for the non-natives. As I understand the policy of the Reform Party it is to heed the people's will. If it conflicts with the Reform agenda, then the people's will is paramount.
This particular legislation has involved 21 years of negotiations. It is supported by the Government of the Yukon. The leader, Mr. Ostashek, is a non-aboriginal. It is supported by the Yukon Chamber of Commerce, by the mayors that I talked to, and by the mining association. As a matter of fact the Yukon has already passed mirror legislation. It is supported by all of the Liberals in this House, by the Bloc, by the Conservative Party and by the NDP.
When I stack that up against the 50 Reform members sitting over there in the corner who are asking who speaks for non-aboriginal people, my question for the hon. member is: Do you not think there has been sufficient non-aboriginal contribution to all these negotiations which have been open and transparent and going on for 21 years?
Yukon First Nations Self-Government Act June 9th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I heard the hon. member and his reference to the Yukon legislation and the four First Nations that are involved. His reference to lazy house is a reference to the aboriginal people of those four First Nations. Maybe he could clarify this. He is in fact saying they are lazy, they live in a south sea environment and the men go around burning their wives with cigarettes.
Is it his intent to leave that on the record?
Indian Affairs June 7th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, negotiations have begun to the extent that the mediator and negotiator have met. The agenda is being done.
As to the specific question of the shooting, this is more within the realm of the Sûreté du Québec. I received indirect reports that it has the matter in hand and this will not detract from the ongoing negotiations.
Indian Affairs June 2nd, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the question will have to be put with more clarity before I can answer it. After the House convenes if the member wants to make that a clear question and on a specific point I would be prepared to talk to him and answer specifically what he is talking about.
Indian Affairs June 2nd, 1994
Mr. Speaker, there were times during the so-called mini Oka crisis when it was important that the situation be calm, the negotiators be at the table, and the mediators be appointed. I think that time has past. The mediator, the negotiator and the principals are meeting.
Over the next few days, until I hear what solutions are coming forward, I do not think it is appropriate to do the negotiating through the press or through the House.