Bernard Valcourt

[Aboriginal Affairs, May 29th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member's comment is completely untrue.

Yesterday he came to my office to give me a letter from the company in question requesting a meeting. Today, he has the gall to stand up and accuse me of refusing to meet with the Makivik Corporation.

I will continue to do what I have been doing since I was sworn in, namely to meet with as many aboriginal communities as I can, with aboriginal chiefs and youth throughout the country. I will continue doing so according to my schedule, not his.

[Aboriginal Affairs, May 28th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, the premise of her question is totally false. The commissioner's report never referred to the Conservatives.

The fact of the matter is that we take Canadians' right to privacy very seriously. Most of the recommendations, if not all, were already being implemented. We shall fully implement the recommendations of the commissioner.

[Aboriginal Affairs, May 23rd, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, notwithstanding the rhetoric of the NDP, which opposed a simple bill like Bill S-2 to give rights to children and women on reserves, its members stand to complain about the process that is before the court.

We have disclosed some 120,000 pages. There are more to come. It has chosen to go before the commission. We will follow the rules imposed upon us to give the documents that we have and that are relevant to the case.

[Aboriginal Affairs, May 10th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, it is obvious that the member does not know what she is talking about. If she looked at the investments that are being made, it is obvious that this government is concerned about the health and safety of aboriginal children on reserve and in urban settings. That is why we have a host of programs, in partnership with first nations. We have programs in place to improve the situation and hopefully eliminate the gap between aboriginal and non-aboriginal kids.

[Aboriginal Affairs, May 10th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the big difference between those who like to talk and those who like to act is that on this side of the House we have chosen to act.

As a matter of fact, for anyone who cares to look at what we have undertaken on the project of reconciliation of aboriginal interests with Canada and the interests of Canadians with aboriginal people in this country, it is no better shown and exemplified than by the apology that the Prime Minister made on behalf of all Canadians and all the steps we are taking to work co-operatively.

[Aboriginal Affairs, May 10th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, will the NDP stop playing petty politics at the expense of aboriginal women and children throughout the country?

NDP members like to rise and spout wonderful theories, but when it comes time to vote on a bill that will really improve the situation of aboriginal women living on reserves, they vote against that bill.

If the hon. member is truly concerned about aboriginal women, then I urge him to convince the leader of his party to reverse course and vote in favour of Bill S-2.

[Aboriginal Affairs, May 10th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely astounding to see an NDP member rise in the House and complain about violence against women and then turn around and vote against Bill S-2, which seeks to give women living on reserves rights equal to those of other Canadian women.

The NDP should change its position. If they are truly in favour of protecting aboriginal women living on reserves, then they should simply vote for Bill S-2.

[Aboriginal Affairs, May 10th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, first we can clearly state that the issues surrounding first nations education are not a new phenomenon. They have been going on for many years. That, specifically, is why this Conservative government has begun consultations to draft a first nations education act.

He is crowing about the rights of Canada's aboriginal youth to education, but in this House, every time we have tried to invest money in aboriginal education, he has voted against it, just like his party.

[Business of Supply, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Chair, if the hon. member is really concerned about education and schools for first nations across the country, why does his party oppose a national education act that would identify mechanisms to ensure long-term, sustainable, predictable funding for a school system in Canada?

We already provide annual investment of approximately $200 million a year for on-reserve school infrastructure. Between April 2006 and March 2012, we have provided funding to support the completion of 429 school projects, including the building of 36 new schools—

[Business of Supply, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Chair, what this minister believes and knows is that between 2006-07 and 2012-13, we have provided approximately $1.2 billion in on-reserve housing support to first nations communities.

According to a first nations report, the Government of Canada's investments have contributed to an average of 1,750 new units and 3,100 renovations annually over the past 5 years. The provision and management of housing on reserve land is primarily the responsibility of first nations, with support from the Government of Canada. I am proud of our support.