Greg Rickford

[Business of Supply, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for Brampton West for his pertinent question. Access to safe and effective drinking water, potable water and responsible waste water protection is a top priority for this government. Over the past seven years we have, through a very rigorous consultation process from coast to coast to coast, participated in that consultation. In fact, I was involved with the consultation in my previous life as a legal counsel on behalf of first nations members in some communities.

Born from that consultation were three principles. One, the capacity; reporting, monitoring and maintenance of these facilities which the member alludes to as being one of the factors with respect to the national assessment that finds the lifespan of these water treatment facilities to be much shorter, in addition, the harsher environments. Our focus with respect to the infrastructure and with respect to this legislation is to do these three things synchronously. They are not mutually exclusive of each other. We cannot build or rehabilitate these facilities without having properly certified workers to operate them.

[Business of Supply, May 9th, 2013]

For my second question, Mr. Chair, I want to talk about Canada's economic action plan 2012, which included increased funding for priorities our government shares with first nations, such as first nation education. Economic action plan 2012 committed $275 million in additional investments over three years.

As a result, as the minister mentioned in his remarks, this year's 2013-14 main estimates include $115 million toward improving first nations education. A portion of this year's funding will go toward early literacy programming, for example, and other supports and services, such as administration, to first nation schools and students to strengthen their relationships with provincial school systems and improve outcomes.

Could the minister describe how these investments will contribute to better opportunities for first nation students to get a good education that will in turn equip them with the skills they need to enter the workforce and participate in Canada's economy fully?

[Business of Supply, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Chair, I would like to thank the minister for his remarks. I have a few tough but fair questions for him.

As Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, I am particularly pleased to be here tonight to speak to the 2013-14 main estimates for Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. I am proud as someone who has spent a professional lifetime living in first nations communities and working with them in a variety of different capacities.

We are seeing an improved quality of life and improved opportunities to get a good education and to create jobs and economic growth for first nations Canadians and northerners. We are also committed to supporting these reforms with the necessary resources in a way that is strategic and targeted. I believe this is evidenced once again in this year's main estimates and in this year's budget.

Could the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development describe how these investments in the main estimates and the budget demonstrate our government's commitment to creating the conditions for aboriginal people to achieve healthier, more self-sufficient lives and communities?

[Business of Supply, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Chair, on a point of order. As you have said from the outset, if we are to have a thoughtful discussion and debate this evening there are a couple of things we would do.

First, we would conduct ourselves in a manner that is consistent with the rules of the standing committee.

Second, with respect to time allocation, we were to leave it in your very capable hands to decide when. We do not need the chirping stopwatches we are hearing across the way interrupting questions and responses.

[Aboriginal Affairs, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, as I said previously, we are absolutely committed to the health, safety and protection of children across Canada, but for these purposes, on reserve. That is why we have taken steps to make those investments in aboriginal health projects focused on children, and that is why we believe we must appeal to ensure that individual cases are treated in accordance with provincial standards.

On the matrimonial real property matter, it is time for the NDP to put down its talking points and support the protection of women and children on reserve.

[Aboriginal Affairs, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, we are absolutely committed to ensuring the health and safety of aboriginal children. We have launched a new aboriginal health project and have designated new resources to improve the health of children on reserves. In this case, we believe we have met our obligations, and Canada has decided to appeal to ensure that individual cases are treated in accordance with provincial standards.

It is the opposition that should answer for opposing our matrimonial real property rights legislation that would protect aboriginal women and children on reserve.

[Experimental Lakes Area, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise and update Canadians on the status of the Experimental Lakes Area situated in the great Kenora riding.

Our government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Institute for Sustainable Development to take over as operator of the facilities.

This agreement is the result of many months of confidential negotiations led by the federal government and is a major milestone in the transition of the facility to a third-party operator. It also includes provisions to support scientific research at the facility through the summer during this transition to an operator.

Our government has been clear. We want to see the facility continue under a new operator and we are working hard to deliver on that commitment. IISD is well-suited to operate the Experimental Lakes Area with excellent capacity, expertise and international reputation to take on this important work. We understand that IISD will continue discussions with the province, the landowner, on an agreement to operate the site going forward and we hope these discussions are successful.

I want to thank the constituents of the great Kenora riding for their input and patience throughout this process.

[Aboriginal Affairs, May 3rd, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, it is very unfortunate that the NDP has decided to play politics with the legacy of the Indian residential schools and the effect it has had on former students, their families and their communities.

It is under our government that the Prime Minister delivered an historic apology on behalf of all Canadians. It is our government that has ensured that thousands of former students have received compensation and have gone through a fair process to close this sad chapter of Canadian history.

[Aboriginal Affairs, May 3rd, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, as a lawyer, I personally signed the residential school agreement, and I am pleased to know that we are going to continue to honour and respect the terms of that agreement.

Our government is determined to reach a fair and lasting settlement with residential school survivors. For that reason, in 2008, our Prime Minister made a historic apology on behalf of all Canadians. What is more, the government has sent over 3.5 million documents to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

[Economic Action Plan 2013 Act, No. 1, May 1st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, first of all I would like to congratulate my colleague. I intend to support the budget implementation act, but if there was any doubt in my mind, certainly listening to her confirmed that we need to move forward with this important implementation piece.

Sometimes what is more important about a budget is what is not in it rather than what is in it. I have been concerned listening to the official opposition, particularly the finance critic. When she was lightly peppered with questions around an alternative budget, she could not explain certain increases in government revenues. She said she was not concerned, in effect, with numbers.

My question to the member is, are there any hidden things in the budget, like a carbon tax? Are we focused on numbers, and does this translate into a focus on jobs for our economy?