Bernard Valcourt

[Aboriginal Affairs, April 16th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, to put it politely, it takes some gall. This claim was laid down in 1991 under a Conservative government and in 1992—

[Points of Order, March 28th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I had no intention of calling into question the member's integrity or identity. I extend my deepest apology if he was offended by my remarks.

The only point I was trying to make is that if we truly care about the plight of Canada's aboriginal peoples and first nations—as I concur that there is more than one—we should work together in a positive fashion and support measures in that regard.

[Aboriginal Affairs, March 28th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, it is surprising to hear such a statement when the member will not even support the budget that is investing hundreds of millions of dollars to provide those aboriginal Canadians with the skills they need.

The fact of the matter is, first of all, that the premise of her question is totally false. We invest in the education of aboriginal students at an amount equivalent to what the provinces do. However, that is not the issue. We are consulting right now with first nation stakeholders and Canadians on providing them with a legislative framework for an education system that would produce results. The Liberals should support it.

[Aboriginal Affairs, March 28th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the members opposite do not like hearing the truth.

The fact is that this legislation, which received royal assent yesterday, gives all first nations members across the country the same right as all other Canadians with regard to all levels of government. It is the right to transparency and accountability on the part of their council.

For that reason, we believe that—

[Aboriginal Affairs, March 28th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, that is coming from a member who says he belongs to Canada's first nation and who is rising to prevent and lessen the right of a woman—

[Aboriginal Affairs, March 28th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the NDP continues to support the position and the likes of protesters who, yesterday in Winnipeg, shut down a first nation mother who was simply asking to have the same rights and enjoy the rights that every other non-aboriginal has in Canada, that is, accountability and transparency in the spending of tax dollars by their government.

Notwithstanding the opposition of the NDP, first nation members today enjoy that same right all across—

[Aboriginal Affairs, March 26th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, maybe if the hon. member opened his eyes, he would be able to see the actions the government is taking.

In this year's budget, we are once again investing hundreds of millions of dollars to improve conditions in aboriginal communities across the country. We are investing in education, investment in infrastructure, and funding for the education and training of aboriginal youth.

I invite the NDP members to stop spinning their wheels and support this budget.

[Journey of Nishiyuu, March 25th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated earlier, we will do better than just applaud them. We will meet with them and listen to them.

[Aboriginal Affairs, March 25th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the member is indeed right, on every point. In fact, I was pleased this morning to welcome and approve eight new entrants into the first nations land management regime. In addition to thanking the Government of Canada for a further investment of $9 million in the program, Chief Robert Louie, among other great things, said, “This means that...projects can move forward at the speed of business...”. Increased revenue for first nations provides “significant employment opportunities”.

He was right—

[Aboriginal Affairs, March 25th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated earlier to the House, and to the hon. member, I will be meeting with these aboriginal youth later today. Of course we acknowledge the courage that they have indicated in this long march. What is important, and I will discuss this with these youth later today, is how we can continue to improve the situation among first nations youth across Canada, which we intend to do.