House of Commons photo

Crucial Fact

  • His favourite word was nisga'a.

Last in Parliament October 2019, as Liberal MP for Kenora (Ontario)

Lost his last election, in 2019, with 30% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Fisheries September 19th, 2000

Mr. Speaker, it is comments like that which are the reason why first nations people are taking to the blockade to bring their grievances to the government. It is the fearmongering that the member opposite is dealing with that relates to first nations rights, treaty rights in particular.

It is a well known fact that the government has offered the APC, the first nations in Atlantic Canada, an opportunity to talk about treaty relationships which form a larger picture than just fish. That offer has been made. We are waiting and standing by for the first nations and our partners to come to the table.

Criminal Code June 15th, 2000

Mr. Speaker, I would like to have my name recorded as having voted with the government on this motion.

Aboriginal Affairs June 9th, 2000

Mr. Speaker, the member's question is a very important one. The issue of first nations people on their traditional territories and their relationship with provincial governments and with the private sector is one that is important to all of us.

I can confirm to him that the minister and our department have made resources available to the first nations in order for them to get to the negotiating table to resolve these issues where they should be resolved.

Aboriginal Affairs June 8th, 2000

Mr. Speaker, I am shocked to hear the hon. member say this about her own riding, when in fact just last month I was up in her area talking to the first nations people, including the chief from Garden Hill.

The hon. member knows very well, or should know, that we are building a new water plant and have agreed to a new sewer and water system over three different phases worth $42 million. She should know that as the member representing that particular community.

Aboriginal Affairs May 15th, 2000

Mr. Speaker, yes, because they are the ones who applied for the grant.

Aboriginal Affairs May 15th, 2000

Mr. Speaker, every single department, including ours, has an education component to make Canadians aware of what aboriginal culture is all about. That is what we were doing under this particular grant. Some 600,000 people go to that festival and we can then show the importance of aboriginal culture and aboriginal peoples to our Canadian family.

I hope those members have an opportunity to go because they could use some education.

Auditor General's Report April 12th, 2000

Mr. Speaker, it is obvious that the member opposite and his party do not have a clue what they are talking about.

If they knew what they were talking about, they would realize that in the last 20 years alone we went from no students in post-secondary education to 27,000 aboriginal students in post-secondary education, a significant improvement.

That is not to suggest that we do not have a long way to go, but the reason we are successful is that we are transferring the control of those children to their families and to their first nations.

Auditor General's Report April 12th, 2000

Mr. Speaker, it is well known that money as it relates to education is being transferred through agreements to the first nations school boards and education systems on reserve and off reserve.

The hon. member should keep in mind that a vast majority of the young people who belong to first nations go to school in provincial schools, working with provincial administrators and provincial educators. Those funds are all based on a per capita basis for education purposes.

Auditor General's Report April 12th, 2000

Mr. Speaker, when the member stands and makes those kinds of comments, he might keep in mind that the government transfers those funds to first nations and it is under their control.

What he is doing basically is accusing the first nations and the teachers who are working with those kids of mismanaging the funds, and in fact they are not.

Auditor General's Report April 12th, 2000

Mr. Speaker, the government to government relationship we have with the first nations is working very well. In the last two years we have done significant remodelling of the relationship with first nations.

The education dollars available to first nations are all accounted for in those budgets, and they are continuing to work on that.