House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 17% of the vote.
Aboriginal Affairs May 1st, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the member will be quite pleased to know that we have tabled, returned and given the commission more than 3.5 million documents. That process began long ago and it is continuing.
As I said yesterday, we are determined to reach a fair and lasting settlement, and Canada will comply fully with the Indian residential schools settlement agreement.
Aboriginal Affairs April 30th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, he is talking about politicizing the issue, but that is exactly what he is doing by ignoring the facts.
The fact is that the Canadian government's commitment is clearly reflected in the Indian residential schools settlement agreement. As I indicated earlier, we have already handed over more than 3,500,000 documents to the commission, and there will be more to come.
I personally met with the commissioners last week in Montreal. I assured them of our support. We will continue to work on meeting Canada's obligations under that agreement.
Aboriginal Affairs April 30th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, as indicated earlier, our government is committed to a fair and lasting resolution to the legacy of Indian residential schools. That is why the Prime Minister made this historic apology in 2008, referred to earlier, and why we have, so far, delivered to the commission over 3.5 million documents to achieve the very objective that she mentioned.
This is an ongoing process. We are committed to continue working with the commission.
Aboriginal Affairs April 26th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, as I have said, the change I suspect the member is referring to is the better targeting of financial resources to ensure that aboriginal youth in Canada are better connected with available jobs and that these youth can get the life skills and education they need to access those jobs. If NDP members oppose these measures, let them stand on it.
Aboriginal Affairs April 26th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, clearly the member is misinformed about the programs available to support aboriginal students across the country, and not just at the post-secondary level.
For example, we have also launched a major initiative to bring in federal legislation specifically to enable all first nations students to get results and school governance that will allow them to get the jobs they are looking for.
Aboriginal Affairs April 25th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I find it curious indeed that she would raise this matter, because I met with the commission and the commissioners yesterday morning in Montreal.
As far as I can tell, the government is living up to its commitment under the settlement agreement that has been reached. I have assured the commissioners of our support to help them continue their important work.
Justice April 23rd, 2013
Mr. Speaker, we believe that the health and safety of all children must triumph over any jurisdictional issue. We also believe on this side of the House that the rights of women and children on reserve should be equal to those of other Canadians.
I would invite that member's party and her leader to reverse their instructions to those MPs who voted against giving women and families on reserve the same rights as other Canadians.
Business of Supply April 19th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to working with aboriginals in Labrador to facilitate local solutions, including empowering communities through the implementation of self-government agreements such as the fiscal financing agreement with the Nunatsiavut First Nation, which we have concluded.
Another example of empowering and working with aboriginals in Labrador is the devolution of responsibility of the K-12 school board in 2009 to an eight-member Innu school board, which assumed control over the schools in two reserves in Labrador.
Along with our government's Muskrat Falls loan guarantee commitment to support Atlantic Canada's future energy needs, a project that will result in an average of 1,500 jobs a year during construction, we have also invested $385,000 in the Labrador aboriginal training partnership.
Unlike the other side of the House, we are standing up for aboriginal people and these are only a few examples of all of the work that we are doing in partnership with them.
Business of Supply April 19th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated earlier in the House, the Nunatukavut claim was filed back in 1991-92. At this stage, the claimants have filed further historical evidence and material with the department in support of the claim. As we speak, this evidence is being reviewed. I would expect that within the next while we should be able to get the advice of the Department of Justice as to whether this is a claim on which we can start negotiations.
Business of Supply April 19th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the question could start a fine philosophical debate on the meaning of certain words.
We are simply saying that we are willing to work positively in a relationship of mutual respect with first nations across the country in order to address the key issues that affect them, whether it be economic development, education or socio-economic problems. When we say willing, we mean that we must work in an atmosphere of mutual respect.