House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 43% of the vote.
BUSINESS OF SUPPLY May 21st, 2013
Mr. Chair, again, there is a combination here of what is the responsibility of my colleague and the responsibility of an environmental review panel. The question is directed in the wrong direction, as the member opposite well knows. I do not why he is wasting the time of the House.
BUSINESS OF SUPPLY May 21st, 2013
Mr. Chair, the government will of course deal with the issues that are raised. My colleague, the President of the Treasury Board, is occupying himself in that connection.
BUSINESS OF SUPPLY May 21st, 2013
Mr. Chair, again, this is the responsibility of another minister. You can keep asking the questions, but you are still getting the same answer.
BUSINESS OF SUPPLY May 21st, 2013
Mr. Chair, I did not meet with anyone with respect to that activity. However, let me reinforce the point I made before. The natural resource sector is the largest private employer of aboriginal people in Canada.
BUSINESS OF SUPPLY May 21st, 2013
Mr. Chair, this is a very important issue. What I have been saying across the country, and what my colleagues have been saying as well, is that there is an enormous transformative opportunity for the responsible development of our natural resources to benefit aboriginal communities right across the country. It is one of the driving forces for our government and for me personally to see those enormous benefits accrue to aboriginal communities from these vast resources.
BUSINESS OF SUPPLY May 21st, 2013
Mr. Chair, this is not one of my portfolio responsibilities. There is a minister responsible for relations with aboriginal peoples. The President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario is in charge of leading the federal efforts while ensuring that Canada takes advantage of opportunities to develop the Ring of Fire resources.
BUSINESS OF SUPPLY May 21st, 2013
Mr. Chair, the question is directed at the wrong minister. I do not have that detail, nor would I be expected to, nor would the questioner expect me to.
BUSINESS OF SUPPLY May 21st, 2013
Mr. Chair, the department has met with the chiefs in Ontario, and of course, my colleague, the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, has met with those chiefs as well.
BUSINESS OF SUPPLY May 21st, 2013
Mr. Chair, the department has. I have met with National Chief Atleo and with the Canadian Aboriginal Minerals Association. I have met with Grand Chief David Harper and Chief Jerry Primrose in Manitoba and with Grand Chief Ron Michel and Vice Chief Simon Bird in Saskatchewan. In Alberta I have met with Chief Allan Adam. In British Columbia I have met with Chief Robert Louie, Chief Ellis Ross, Chief Ed John, Chief Doug White, Chief Ian Campbell, Chief Calvin Helin, first nations--
BUSINESS OF SUPPLY May 21st, 2013
Mr. Chair, my colleague has mentioned that the President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario has responsibility for the Ring of Fire. I have personally met with quite a few aboriginal leaders across the country and will continue to do that going forward.