Bernard Valcourt

[Aboriginal Affairs, March 25th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, despite the hon. member's fine words, the fact remains that there is great potential for first nations in forestry and mining and in the skills in which we want to invest so that young aboriginals across the country can participate in the economy. However, when we try to do just that, the NDP goes to Washington to say that the mines and forests are a disease.

If they truly want to improve things for first nations in Canada, then they should get on board with the government's proposals to move forward.

[Aboriginal Affairs, March 25th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, he ought to listen. I just said that we recognized the determination of these young aboriginal youth. In fact, I will be meeting with them later today to discuss their concerns and to discuss possible solutions that we can envision in the future.

We are building opportunities and jobs and creating economic opportunities for our first nations all across Canada. I just came from western Canada where progress is being accomplished and we shall continue in that vein.

[Aboriginal Affairs, March 25th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, first, we recognize and acknowledge the determination of these young aboriginal walkers and we commend them for their commitment to addressing first nation issues. In fact, contrary to what the hon. member seems to indicate, I shall be meeting later today with the walkers to discuss with these aboriginal youth about the challenges and also how we can best continue to improve the situation for all aboriginals in Canada.

[Aboriginal Affairs, March 25th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, what the member is suggesting is completely false. Funds invested in first nations education compare favourably, if not equally, to what the provinces spend. Not only has our government committed to consulting first nations across the country on the development of a first nations education act, but in the latest budget, it also committed to dedicating new resources to loans, bursaries, scholarships and training for aboriginal students.

In contrast to what the NDP has done in the past, this year, that party should support—

[Questions on the Order Paper, March 8th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a), the agreement provided for the enrolment committee to cease reviewing applications at the end of December 2012. Owing to the initial objectives of the agreement, the Government of Canada and the Federation of Newfoundland Indians have agreed to work together to discuss next steps regarding the consideration of applications and the appropriate implementation of the Agreement for the Recognition of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq Band. The Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development has asked Mr. Fred Caron to work with the leadership of the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation on an approach to address the situation.

With regard to (b), the assessment of applications after the end of December 2012 will be guided by the outcome of the ongoing discussions between the Government of Canada and the Federation of Newfoundland Indians.

[Questions on the Order Paper, March 8th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a), the contract contains standard general and supplementary conditions; provisions regarding the terms of payment; a statement of work; appendices regarding intellectual property and travel expense Information; and an annex regarding security requirements.

With regard to (b), the contractor is to perform the following core roles to the satisfaction of the departmental representative: lead specific interventions and federal consultations with third parties when issues arise; provide strategic advice; attend engagement activity meetings; resolve deal-breaker issues within mandate; and act as the federal spokesperson for enquiries from the media, when so mandated.

With regard to (c), the contract’s stated objective is to engage with the Chief and Council of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation to amend the agreement for the recognition or, if necessary, negotiate a new agreement; to tighten the current enrolment process; and to adopt a new process and criteria in light of the surge in the number of applications for membership and the concerns regarding how the criteria have been applied.

With regard to (d), the outputs and deliverables of the contract include the following: barring circumstances beyond the control of the parties to the agreement, delivery of amendments to the Agreement for the Recognition of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq Band, or the conclusion of a new agreement, addressing Canada’s concerns with respect to the enrolment process; submission of short written reports on activities, meetings, briefings, media interviews and inquiries from key stakeholders, upon request; provision of proposed key accomplishments and plans for the next month in the written monthly activity report, upon request; provision of monthly invoices; and completion and submission of a Federal Negotiator or Representative Performance Report--Part 1, Contractor’s Self-Evaluation on Results to Date, as part of the Annual review of negotiation tables process, upon request.

With regard to (e), Mr. Fred Caron signed the contract on December 3, 2012.

With regard to (f), Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada signed the contract on December 3, 2012.

With regard to (g), the contract is in effect to March 31, 2013. With regard to (h), (i) and (j), all contracts are subject to the application of the Treasury Board contracting policy.

For information on the mandate, members may refer to (c) above.

[Natural Resources, March 4th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, as I referred to earlier, we have introduced the northern jobs and growth act, which will create jobs in mining, oil, gas, transportation and other business sectors in the north, and indeed across all of Canada.

I would like to quote Jane Groenewegen, a member of the legislative assembly of the Northwest Territories, who says this about the act, “good on the federal government for finally figuring out a way to streamline this and let's get on with business”. We agree with her. Let us get on with business. Let us pass this act.

[Foreign Affairs, March 4th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the fact is, when we are concerned about the north and the arctic, is that no government in the history of our country has ever done as much for the arctic and northern Canada.

Right today, we have in front of the House a bill which I encourage all members to pass. That will create jobs and new opportunities in the arctic and northern Canada.

[Taxation, February 26th, 2013]

Yes, in the whole world, that has done as much for northern Canadians.

Let us just look at the example of the northern jobs and growth act, which is geared especially to trying to improve the situation of people living in northern Canada. Instead of opposing that legislation, the opposition should support us.

[Taxation, February 26th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the fact of the matter is that there is no government in the history of this country—