House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 17% of the vote.
Aboriginal Affairs March 7th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I will simply repeat to the member what I said yesterday in committee.
Because of circumstances beyond our control, $33 million set aside to build schools on reserves could not be invested. Those funds have been carried forward to the 2014-15 budget and will be invested for the original purpose, that is, building schools for first nations.
Aboriginal Affairs March 7th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I thought the member was going to congratulate the government for not allowing these funds to lapse so they would be lost. Being re-profiled means that the funds will be spent and invested on the construction of schools on first nations territory.
The government's commitment to education can be no clearer than in the budget, where an incremental $1.9 billion is going to be invested. If the member really cares about education, she should have supported the budget.
Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Act March 6th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, all the time has been taken by the hon. member to say nothing about the motion before the House. I trust, then, that the hon. member and his colleagues will support this motion to allocate one more day of debate on Bill C-25, so it can be sent to committee.
Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Act March 6th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the member's offensive comments are so unfounded that they do not even warrant a response.
Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Act March 6th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I see that the conspiracy theory of the member's leader is rampant among the benches of the NDP.
The experienced hon. member has not alluded to the fact that if he wants this absolutely to take place at 11 o'clock, he can simply not insist on a nominal vote. I will again invite the hon. member to agree that a full day of debate will be enough to deal with four sections of a technical bill.
Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Act March 6th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the record will show that if this does not take place at 11 o'clock, it is simply because the New Democrats will have insisted on a nominal vote. If they want this to go ahead, all they have to do is pass this motion by a voice vote and that will solve the issue.
To the member's question, my answer is no.
Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Act March 6th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I am glad to see that we at least have some members who are interested in the substance of the bill.
The inclusion of the liability clause in clause 4 of the bill provides certainty that no compensation or damages would be paid either by Canada, the first nation, or any other party to those individuals who it is determined are not members of the Qalipu Mi'kmaq first nation once the enrolment process has been completed. I would add that this clause would not prevent individuals from pursuing whatever other remedy they wanted. However, they would not obtain the benefits of status Indians if they were not status Indians.
Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Act March 6th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I am always astounded by the NDP members who believe that it is in the interests of Canada, its taxpayers and its workers to have MPs here just for the sake of making sure that government bills are not passed.
As we saw again this week, the NDP members are perfectly happy to waste time in the House. They are perfectly happy to ensure that no progress is made on any bills. We, on this side of the House, we were elected to take measures to help taxpayers, our constituents and people throughout Canada. That is exactly what we are doing.
Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Act March 6th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank my hon. colleague for his suggestion. I hope it will be shared by our friends in the official opposition.
As for whether we should adopt this motion, I would say that the additional sitting day that will be provided for the consideration of the bill at second reading will allow it to be sent immediately thereafter to the standing committee, which can debate it more thoroughly and examine the four clauses in much greater detail.
I do not believe the bill needs to be sent to committee before that. Let us proceed with second reading of the bill, and the legislative process will then run its course.
Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Act March 6th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, this motion reflects our conviction that a full day to study a bill with four sections is plenty of time to deal with the technical nature of the bill. This is not about whether or not an agreement will be respected. This is about ensuring that the will of that first nation, which concluded this agreement with Canada, is implemented.
I cannot see why we would need weeks or days to discuss a four section bill. I suggest that the NDP get to work and that we get this bill passed.