House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 17% of the vote.
Northern Development February 25th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, if the hon. member cares to look at the estimates, which are estimates, he will see that there is increased funding for nutrition north, as was announced earlier, and we are going to continue our campaign to engage with northerners to continue to improve that program.
Natural Resources February 20th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for that important question.
As he said, Canadians expect our government to make decisions based on facts and scientific evidence. That is why any decisions about the energy east project will be based on independent scientific studies.
However, the leader of the Liberal Party has already jumped to conclusions by saying that this project is not socially acceptable. That is what he is saying in Quebec. We have been clear. Our decisions will be based on scientific evidence and facts, not on ideology.
Aboriginal Affairs February 20th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, the fact is that the government is working co-operatively and in partnership with first nations throughout Canada in order to allow them to provide fire protection on reserves. The budgets are constant and going up throughout Canada. Since 2006, we have invested over $185 million to support these services on reserves.
We will continue to work in partnership with first nations to continue in the same direction.
Aboriginal Affairs February 20th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, our government believes that first nations students should have access to a quality education system, just like all other Canadians. They deserve it.
That is why, since 2006, our government has invested over $10 billion to support the elementary and secondary education of approximately 117,000 first nations students living on reserves. We have invested approximately $1.7 billion in school infrastructure.
The purpose of all of these investments is to give first nations children access to a good education system.
Aboriginal Affairs February 19th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, I agree with the member that it is not okay at all, especially considering that first nations get money every year to look after fire protection.
As I said earlier, the RCMP is investigating what happened in that particular case, and we will see what conclusions it draws. However, one thing is for sure: that community, like all others in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and across the country, receives adequate funding every year to look after fire protection.
Aboriginal Affairs February 19th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, these deaths are a tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family of the victims. As we speak, the RCMP is investigating the events that led to this tragedy.
I want to assure the House and Canadians that this particular band has received consistent funding for fire protection services over the years. As a matter of fact, the Government of Canada provides first nations across the country with funds every year for fire protection. Each band council is responsible for fire management and protection on reserve.
Aboriginal Affairs February 18th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, the member may yell if that makes her feel good, but it does not change the situation. The fact of the matter is that we provide funding to first nations to support operations and maintenance, fire protection infrastructure, and fire protection training on reserve. First nations manage the fire protection services on reserve to meet the needs of their communities, and we also know that education and awareness play an integral role in fire safety, and that is what we are funding.
Aboriginal Affairs February 18th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, I know I have to be careful with the words I am going to be using.
For that member and that party to try to score cheap political points over the death of children on a reserve is just unacceptable. Our thoughts and prayers are with that family that has been through this disaster. We will continue to work with these first nations to prevent such in the future.
Aboriginal Affairs February 5th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, I expected the hon. member to do better than rely on headlines, if the member were aware of what the government has been doing and how it operates on the duty to consult.
I never got a phone call of congratulations on the measures that we announced last summer to reinforce our consultation process throughout Canada. The duty to consult is mandated by law. It is respected by the government. We will continue to consult aboriginal people throughout the country whenever the duty arises.
Aboriginal Affairs February 5th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that the City of Ottawa has cut that funding.
For the member's information, the aboriginal urban strategy has been revamped and funding has been increased to communities all across Canada. I would encourage that group to go through the channels of the friendship centres to make its application.