Jean Crowder

[Aboriginal Affairs, May 15th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, today, for the first time since 2004, the Confederacy of Nations is meeting. Fifty first nations delegates from all over over Canada will discuss their concerns about the education act, Bill C-33. They want to sit down with the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and discuss fair and equitable funding for first nations' education.

Will the minister agree to meet with the Confederacy of Nations?

[Aboriginal Affairs, May 14th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, in 2005, Jack Layton forced the government to invest $1.6 billion in new affordable housing, with money set aside just for aboriginal housing providers. That is the NDP record: working with people, getting results.

Why will the Conservatives not drop their miserly approach and support the NDP motion?

[Aboriginal Affairs, May 14th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, nowhere is the crisis in housing more apparent than in first nations, Inuit, and Metis communities. The Conservative-Liberal approach of trickling dollars out simply has not worked. We can do better.

In 2005, Jack Layton forced the government to invest $1.6 billion in new affordable housing—

[Aboriginal Affairs, May 13th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, over the last 30 years, at least 40 indigenous women have gone missing or been murdered each and every year.

Indigenous women are three times more likely to be murdered by a stranger than other women in Canada. Victims, families, and communities need answers, justice, and hope. More and more Canadians are echoing their calls.

Why are the Conservatives deaf to the many voices demanding a national inquiry into the missing and murdered indigenous women?

[First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act, May 2nd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I just have to take exception to the member's comments regarding the appointments on the joint council. It is actually the case that four members would be recommended by a first nations entity, not by the Assembly of First Nations, as written in this piece of legislation. The minister and the Governor in Council would appoint the chair and four other members, so the minister would control the majority on the joint council.

How can the member say that the joint council would be representative of first nations?

[First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act, May 2nd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his impassioned defence of what is fundamental to what is wrong with this legislation. This gets to the heart of the relationship between the crown and first nations from coast to coast to coast.

The member talked about the fact that there were inherent rights and treaty rights that had been established and recognized in the Canadian Constitution. Members earlier were talking about giving first nations education. Well, they cannot give first nations education. First nations are entitled to education under inherent rights and treaty rights. They are entitled to education under the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. They are entitled to education under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Could the member talk about a way forward? Could he inform the House that if we had a fair, reasonable and democratic process taking place here, what would be the way forward?

[First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act, May 2nd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Western Arctic for that very eloquent speech. The member has worked for many years on these matters, and I appreciate the perspective that he brings.

The member talked about the fact that the Conservatives have shut down debate on this particular piece of legislation. It seems ironic for a government that says that in developing this legislation it did all kinds of consultation, yet what we have now is overwhelming opposition, from coast to coast to coast, to their so-called first nations control of first nations education act.

I wonder if the member could comment on the fact that what we really need is full debate here in the House, so that we do hear from first nations from coast to coast to coast. Then we need adequate time at committee to fully understand the implications of this piece of legislation that could have far-ranging impacts on first nations communities.

[Petitions, May 2nd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the third petition calls on Parliament to impose a moratorium on the release of genetically modified alfalfa to allow the proper review of the impact on farmers in Canada.

[Petitions, May 2nd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition calls on the House to amend the Food and Drugs Act, with mandatory labelling for genetically modified foods.

[Petitions, May 2nd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions to present today. The first is a petition calling on the Government of Canada to return the right of any healthy Canadian to give the gift of blood, bone marrow, and organs to those in need. No matter the race, religion, or sexual preference of a person, that right to give blood or donate organs is universal to any healthy man or woman.