If you must know, it was Senator Pat Carney. She said she could get elected to the Senate of Canada on her own merits not because some government took it upon itself to legislate equality.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2008, with 64% of the vote.
Supply May 30th, 1995
If you must know, it was Senator Pat Carney. She said she could get elected to the Senate of Canada on her own merits not because some government took it upon itself to legislate equality.
Supply May 30th, 1995
Madam Speaker, I find the hon. member's comments very enlightening of the Liberals' position. It reminds me of what took place in British Columbia just before and during the Charlottetown accord. At that time the NDP government in British Columbia decided in its wisdom to promote the idea of Senate reform based on gender equality. It decided that if we were going to reform the Senate and make it elected, it would legislate an equal number of men and women senators. However it very quickly found out the people of British Columbia did not support that type of action.
Interestingly enough, one of the sitting women senators was the most outspoken against that. She found it personally demeaning that a government would consider legislating-
Petitions May 30th, 1995
Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am today presenting petitions signed by constituents of Prince George-Peace River. They feel that no amount of gun control has ever succeeded in preventing criminals from acquiring guns by illegal means.
Furthermore, the petitioners feel that many existing firearms regulations were brought in for a matter of public policy with no regard to future effectiveness and potential benefit.
Therefore they ask Parliament to support laws which punish criminals using firearms, support, recognize and protect the rights of law-abiding citizens to own and use recreational firearms, and abolish any existing gun control laws which have proven to be ineffective.
Petitions May 17th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, it is my pleasure today to present a petition on behalf of citizens of Prince George-Peace River. Some 74 citizens have signed the petition.
The petitioners call on Parliament to oppose any amendment to the Canadian Human Rights Act or the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms which provide for the inclusion of the phrase sexual orientation.
I find myself in complete concurrence with this and it is my pleasure to present it.
Aboriginal Affairs May 17th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I am glad to hear that the minister will take the letter under consideration, because it is addressed to him.
The minister of Indian affairs cannot continue to ignore band members requesting financial accountability of their chiefs and council. As the minister knows, this is not an isolated case despite what he claims.
To pay for the so-called incompetent bookkeeping band members must forgo much needed capital projects and social programs. They have called on the minister to uphold his fiduciary obligation to them.
My supplementary question is for the same minister. What steps will the minister take to hold chiefs and council financially accountable to all band members and guarantee that abuses like this will never happen again?
Aboriginal Affairs May 17th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, last Wednesday I asked the minister of Indian Affairs what he had done about serious allegations regarding the misuse of band assets, capital project funds and housing moneys on the Yellow Quill Reserve.
I am now in receipt of a letter from a band member who says that the Indian affairs department has finally admitted that the $2 million deficit was due to "incompetent bookkeeping".
The band may have a financial management plan in place, but band members want to know what the minister has done to determine where the missing millions went.
Aboriginal Rights May 16th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, the minister of Indian affairs will soon table a policy on inherent right to self-government. This is a significant departure from past government policies.
Despite red book promises to consult with aboriginal peoples on the inherent rights policy, we now see Indian and Metis
leaders demanding that the minister go public with his document. I agree. All Canadians have a right to know what the minister is contemplating. This will affect future political relations between aboriginal and non-aboriginal Canadians forever.
The Minister of Justice has shown he does not understand what consultation means with his gun bill. Now we hear that the minister of Indian affairs is imitating his colleague and has a secret draft policy that may also have considerable constitutional ramifications. Native leaders do not think they have been adequately consulted, let alone the rest of the Canadian people.
While meeting the needs of aboriginal communities I believe any inherent rights policy must respect the principle of equality for all Canadians.
Indian Affairs May 12th, 1995
You never pay attention.
Indian Affairs May 12th, 1995
We know that.
James Bay And Northern Quebec Agreement May 12th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, a sign of desperation is when a minister cannot answer yes or no. Did he violate the constitutional rights, yes or no?
According to Peter Hogg, a leading constitutional lawyer, "Any law that had the effect of impairing an existing aboriginal right would be subject to judicial review to determine whether it was justified impairment".
My supplementary question is for the minister of Indian affairs, who hopefully understands the crown's fiduciary obligation: Is Bill C-68 a justified impairment of aboriginal rights, yes or no?