House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 28% of the vote.
Aboriginal Affairs February 8th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to say that the education authority in the community of Attawapiskat is working with the third party manager to ensure he has the information he needs to flow funds. As well, my department recently announced the tendering process for construction of the new school.
We urge the chief and council to get on board and work with the third party manager in the best interests of the people in the community.
Aboriginal Affairs February 8th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, last June we announced the joint action plan with the national chief. It was at that time we decided that the priority was K-12 education. We launched a national panel on June 21, National Aboriginal Day. It has travelled the country. It has come up with a very good report. There are a lot of recommendations in it.
We are going to review that report very carefully and be reporting in due course.
Aboriginal Affairs February 8th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, our government believes a strong economy and a good education go hand in hand. We will continue to work with first nations to improve their quality of life and develop long-term economic prosperity.
I would like to thank the national panel on K-12 education on behalf of the government for its work. We will be reviewing the report and the recommendations carefully.
Aboriginal Affairs February 7th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, at the crown-first nations gathering, we talked about the priority of education. We had earlier agreed with the national chief that this was a priority joint action plan item. That is why we commissioned the national panel on K-12 education. We are awaiting its report.
We have a good report from the Senate, for which it is to be commended. We will be studying the recommendations and reporting on a timely basis.
Aboriginal Affairs February 7th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, we have another fact-free question from the member for Timmins—James Bay. What he is saying is completely false.
We have asked for invoices from the chief and council. These were not forthcoming. As soon as the third party manager receives the information that he requires, the invoices will be paid.
There has been no threat to the school or the school children. That is a fact.
Aboriginal Affairs February 7th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I wish there were some truth in what the member is saying.
Our government has prioritized the delivery of the 22 modular homes. We have offered to help the band council fulfill its responsibility to complete preparation of the lots for the installation of these homes on a priority basis. The third party manager is standing by to pay once the band council submits the invoices.
We strongly encourage the chief and council to act, which will ensure speedy delivery of the homes.
Aboriginal Affairs February 3rd, 2012
Madam Speaker, under the provisions of Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, copies of the West Bank First Nations Self-Government Agreement annual report on implementation for the years 2008 to 2010.
Madam Speaker, under the provisions of Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, copies of the 2009-10 annual report on the state of Inuit culture and society in the Nunavut settlement area.
Aboriginal Affairs February 3rd, 2012
Madam Speaker, the situation at Barriere Lake, Lac-Barrière, is a very difficult one. I agree. It has been going on for years. We have invoked a rarely used section of the act in order to try to effect governance in that community. We will continue to do what we can in a very difficult set of circumstances and do the right thing for the people of that community.
Aboriginal Affairs February 1st, 2012
Mr. Speaker, this is a very simple question. We have a manager in place and he wants to work with the first nations leadership in the community. He has asked for and not received the information he needs in order to pay the bills for which the member for Timmins is asking.
Aboriginal Affairs February 1st, 2012
Mr. Speaker, all of the statements that were just made are all basically fabrications. They do not reflect the truth. We are committed to ensuring the health and safety of the people of Attawapiskat.
In terms of the third party manager, that is a matter before the courts and it would be inappropriate to comment further.