Jim Prentice

[Aboriginal Affairs, November 22nd, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, today I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the Canada-First Nation Education Jurisdiction Agreement.

[Aboriginal Affairs, November 21st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, as I previously said, the document is flawed. There are portions of the document, frankly, that could be interpreted as being inconsistent with the Canadian Constitution of 1982 and inconsistent with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, to which my friend refers.

The United Nations General Assembly is currently considering revisions to this. A number of countries from Africa have considered and put forward the concept of a reconsideration of the text of the document. Many other western democracies are of the same view as Canada.

I would encourage the member to be patient.

[Aboriginal Affairs, November 21st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, stated simply, the proposed declaration is a flawed document, a flawed instrument that the government cannot support. There are serious difficulties with the document in relation to the provisions for territories and resources, lands, the concept of free and informed consent and also provisions relating to self-government.

The government remains committed to work toward a solution that is practical and workable. There are many nations in the world that are supportive of Canada's position.

As I said earlier in my comments, we have a tradition in our country, some 500 treaties signed over 250 years. They are very important to the country.

[Aboriginal Affairs, November 21st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, this is a serious matter. We have a remarkable history in the country of signing treaties. Five hundred treaties have been signed over the past 250 years. They sit on a table in this chamber.

The government does not support the declaration because that declaration jeopardizes those treaties, the enforceability and the meaning of them.

No former government in the country has ever taken a different position. To suggest the contrary is pure bunkum.

[Aboriginal Affairs, November 21st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I will tell the member what the linkage is. The linkage is that the Liberals got an F on both accounts.

In the past nine months the Conservative government has signed the first modern treaty with British Columbia, the last modern treaty with the Inuit. We signed a residential school agreement. We have served notice in the House that we are going to introduce the first, first nation modern legislation on education. We have introduced national water initiatives and standards, an initiative on matrimonial property, $300 million for northern housing and $300 million for off reserve housing.

Canadians know who should be embarrassed.

[Aboriginal Affairs, November 21st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, on this the 10th anniversary of the royal commission I am pleased to announce that the new Government of Canada is making progress in improving the lives of aboriginal Canadians, unlike the former government.

Frankly, I agree with the AFN, the Auditor General, and virtually every other independent commentator who has remarked on the terrible Liberal grade of F for its failure and disgraceful, shameful abandonment of aboriginal Canadians. Aboriginal Canadians now know they have a government that delivers. No more ducking, dodging, dithering or delaying.

[Aboriginal Affairs, November 9th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, first I would like to thank Mr. Pope, who has tabled his report, for his integrity and hard work. As one respected commentator here in Ottawa said this morning, this is one of the best reports seen in Ottawa in a long time. It was not written by the Department of Indian Affairs in Ottawa. It was written by Mr. Pope who met and consulted with the people of Kashechewan.

This report provides a road map for the people of Kashechewan. I would emphasize that it will be their choice as to whether they decide to pursue this road or not. However, we will do so in partnership with them. The government intends to leave a legacy of improving the lives of the people of Kashechewan.

[Aboriginal Affairs, November 8th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, my friend goes too far. He knows full well that Mr. Pope has been well received in the community. He has had a fine working relationship with the new chief and council. He has consulted with the community leaders. He has worked long hours diligently hearing their point of view on what the alternatives are to move forward.

I would point out that this was done shortly after the government came to office. We intend to deal with the situation, unlike the former Liberal government that took months to even acknowledge that the problem existed.

[Aboriginal Affairs, November 8th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member and I have spoken about this matter often and the House is aware that, shortly after becoming the minister, I appointed Alan Pope, who is a respected Ontarian and former cabinet minister, as my special representative.

He has met with the community. I have met with the chief and members of the council. Mr. Pope has not yet reported to me. I expect that he will shortly. When he does, we will have a road forward and I will be pleased to bring it to the House as a lasting solution.

[Aboriginal Affairs, November 7th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows full well that the agreement was concluded under this government, and it was one that I have worked on very diligently. He is well aware also that the agreement, as structured, did not call for an apology. He is well aware that the agreement is currently working its way through the court system and that we are waiting to hear back. I have had regular briefings on the status of those court proceedings. I will advise the House accordingly once the court process has been completed.