Mr. Speaker, if I may clear the record for the benefit of the hon. member, he has spoken many times about this issue. The point I made is he has not spoken on the side of the Nisga'a people.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 1993, with 53% of the vote.
Points Of Order March 11th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, if I may clear the record for the benefit of the hon. member, he has spoken many times about this issue. The point I made is he has not spoken on the side of the Nisga'a people.
Indian Affairs March 11th, 1996
It is true, thirty per cent of his riding; 23,331 natives in the Nisga'a area are members of his riding.
Businesses at Terrace are now looking at this as a business opportunity. Rather than lining with the Reform and saying they want a referendum they are now saying: "Maybe we should get in our cars, drive that hour and a half and talk to the Joe Gosnells of the world".
Last week the media in B.C., Alberta and Ontario supported this. Bill Young, 72 years old, one of 240 people in the area, said: "I feel good about this. I think a lot of people around here feel good about it too". So do we.
Indian Affairs March 11th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, for the benefit of our side, this riding is represented by a Reform member, the member for Skeena, who has never mentioned a word in the House about the Nisga'a.
Indian Affairs March 11th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, one of the key issues we had to address is how to deal with taxation of aboriginal people. We did it in what we thought was a humane and progressive way by saying: "We will work with you toward profitability and self-sufficiency and at a certain time you have a responsibility to pay taxes".
It is through that type of sensitivity and philosophy that a deal was reached with the Nisga'a. I would think the Reform Party, which has been calling for a system of taxation, would hail such a
system where aboriginal people are now saying: "We will agree to that. We will pay taxes like everybody else. Just give us a hand to get there".
Forestry March 6th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows we had a lot of difficulty with the forestry because the price was 20 or 30 cents per entity which would normally have cost $20 or $30 in B.C. or Alberta. Over a period of time we increased the stumpage rates and put some of it into what is called the Elijah Smith Sustainable Fund which was named for an elder in the Yukon, as she knows.
The problem is that the First Nations in the Yukon do not feel that they had been adequately consulted in the process of devolution, so I have slowed down the process. If I am going to err, I am going to err on the side of the First Nations in the Yukon.
Indian Affairs March 5th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, balance is in the eye of the beholder. Not long ago the Reform Party said the Criminal Code had to apply to the Nisga'a. They agreed.
The Reform Party said that the charter of rights has to apply to the Nisga'a. They agreed.
The Reform Party said that you cannot constitutionalize the commercial aspect of the fishery. They agreed.
The Reform Party said they must pay taxes. They agreed.
Why will the Reform Party not stand up today and say that these people are reasonable? They dealt with us and did many of the things we wanted. They get no credit for their goodwill and I condemn the Reform Party for that attitude.
Indian Affairs March 5th, 1996
They find it fiscally responsible and publicly acceptable. Why will the Reform not admit that they were wrong when they attacked a group which has been negotiating with the white people for 30 years without success, through 12 ministers. After 30 years they finally have what they have been sitting at the table for. It is just and fair and we are proud of it.
Indian Affairs March 5th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, considering how many natives there are in ridings held by the Reform Party I would have thought the member would stand up and celebrate the Nisga'a deal.
The reflection of accountability comes from the discussion, the political spin and the editorial comment coming out of an area. This deal has been hailed by most of the B.C. media, by most of the Alberta media and most of the Ontario media.
Yukon Quartz Mining Act March 4th, 1996
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-6, an act to amend the Yukon Quartz Mining Act and the Yukon Placer Mining Act.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)
Indian Affairs March 4th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, copies of the first annual report of the Gwich'in land claims agreement implementation committee.