House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 17% of the vote.
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.
Aboriginal Affairs April 19th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, it takes some nerve to stand in the House to talk about rights of aboriginal Canadians when that member, at the instructions of the leader of her party, just as the leader of the Liberal Party instructed his own caucus, refused to vote in favour of aboriginal women getting the same basic rights she enjoys.
Aboriginal Affairs April 19th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I had the chance this morning to speak to this very issue, but obviously she does not want to understand. This claim was submitted in 1991, long before we came into office. The Liberals sat on this for 13 years.
Right now, we are reviewing the facts that support the claim. When a decision is made, the decision will be announced.
Business of Supply April 19th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, that is an excellent question. With all members of the House, I was a witness to the NDP and the Liberals trying to sidestep the issue, to duck the issue, to evade the issue of the fundamental rights that aboriginal families—women, men and children—living on reserve do not have.
The opposition members still oppose giving those rights to first nation families. I hope that because of the good majority that Canadians gave us in 2011, we can re-establish equity and justice in this country for those people.
Business of Supply April 19th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of sitting in this House about 20 years ago, and I see that the Liberals have not changed.
If we want to attribute blame for the current state of first nations in Canada, the Liberals had that claim to office for life and forever. They were in office a long time. It is funny that during all of those years that the Liberals were in office, it was always about throwing money at the problem, and we see the results we have today.
The very socio-economic conditions the member deplores today are not as a result of not having thrown money at the problem, but as a result of not having addressed the real issues, the barriers. That is what we are doing in an incremental and positive way, and we will continue to do so. We will not throw money at the problem; instead, we will solve the problem.