Mr. Speaker, it is with pleasure that I address Motion No. 108 which would revoke Louis Riel's conviction and declare a day in his honour.
Over the last two decades, the issue of Louis Riel and the recognition that he deserves have often been raised in this House. Given his great involvement in the building of this country, it would certainly be appropriate to better highlight his role as a builder of our nation and founder of the Metis movement. Such recognition would go a long way toward giving Louis Riel a status more in line with his remarkable achievements.
Our government continues to expend time and energy to find ways to heal the unfortunate events of the past while also trying to find appropriate ways to honour Louis Riel's memory in contemporary terms.
It is only through positive and progressive measures that we can truly pay homage to one who warrants such recognition.
Riel was a unique person, who deserves to be remembered for everything he did for Canada and for the Metis nation.
Riel was educated in theology and law. He was fluent in English, French, Greek, Latin and Cree. He was an elegant and polished statesman who directed the negotiations with the Government of Canada on the entry of Manitoba and the Northwest Territories into the Dominion of Canada.
He was a tireless defender of the rights of Metis and of all the other residents of the territories. It was his hope to see them take their place in Canadian society and enjoy the same rights and privileges as all other Canadians.
Under Riel's leadership, the Metis from the Red River adopted, in 1870, a list of rights to be protected—freedom of religion, language rights, minority rights. They used that list during the negotiations with the Government of Canada to have Rupert's Land and the Northwest Territories included in the Dominion.
The Manitoba Act which Riel was instrumental in negotiating provided for certain guarantees for Metis people, including schooling and religious rights as well as recognition of French and English language rights. The rights of other citizens were also clearly set out in the list of rights.
This was Riel's vision of a united country with each citizen participating on an equal footing.
After Manitoba joined the Canadian federation, the constituents of Provencher, in that same province, elected Riel by acclamation, on three occasions, as their member of Parliament in the House of Commons.
The Metis also called on him to ensure the respect of their fundamental rights in the part of the Northwest Territories that later became Saskatchewan.
Louis Riel dedicated his life to protecting the Metis, and he paid the ultimate price for leading a movement to have the rights and the interests of the Metis protected. He understood their concerns, and it was clear in his mind what place they were entitled to in the Canadian federation.
As most in the House would agree, Riel's accomplishments and contributions to the building of this nation as a free, independent and united country are many. Given these significant contributions, governments have over the years honoured Riel in a number of ways.
In 1970 a postage stamp was issued in his commemoration. Cultural performances have been funded over the years, including the back to Batoche days celebrations which Metis view as a sacred event.
On March 10, 1992, a special resolution was passed in this House to honour the unique and historical role Riel played as the founder of Manitoba and his contribution to Confederation.
On May 16, 1996, thanks to a significant financial contribution by the government, a statue representing Riel as the statesman he was was unveiled on the site of Manitoba's legislative assembly.
The member for Rimouski—Mitis even mentioned a more recent commemoration, at Winterlude, our winter festival here, which is moving into its second weekend.
People here saw 12 blocks of snow on the grounds in front of Parliament Hill at the start of the week. Some joked that it was a winter depiction of the caucus of the member for Rimouski—Mitis, but it was nothing of the sort. It was the wherewithal for 12 magnificent sculptures representing the provinces and territories. The statue sculpted to honour Manitoba was a bust of Louis Riel.
I encourage everyone in the national capital region to come and see these sculptures over the weekend.
These sorts of positive and progressive measures are the way we honour the memory of Louis Riel. They have the support of all Canadians and bear true witness to his contribution to the building of Canada.
On January 7 of this year the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and the Minister of Natural Resources of Canada unveiled “Gathering Strength—Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan”. This action plan provides a solid framework through which we can make greater progress on the serious problems facing all aboriginal people.
One of the important themes of “Gathering Strength” was healing and reconciliation. In that regard the federal government committed to seeking appropriate ways of affirming the contribution of Metis people in Canada and of reflecting Louis Riel's place in Canada's history.
It is in these ways that the government will continue to work closely with the Metis leaders and the descendants of Louis Riel.
The government intends to continue the dialogue it has already begun with the Metis leaders to find a way to resolve the problem of the guilty verdict given Louis Riel.
Louis Riel was an eloquent, articulate defender of Metis rights, as well as those of all members of the community whether aboriginal or non-aboriginal, anglophone or francophone.
The Metis people formed a substantial part of the population then and Louis Riel championed the rights of minority groups. Riel believed in the Metis having equal rights and participation within Confederation.
Let us be clear on one thing. He was never an advocate of separation. He did not want to tear the country apart. Rather he gave his life trying to build it.
If the real purpose of this measure is to enhance the stature of Louis Riel in the minds and hearts of Canadians, there are many positive measures we can and will take. We will find ways to show Canadians from all walks of life how much we honour the memory of Louis Riel and recognize and appreciate his contributions to the development of Canada.
I remind hon. members of the resolution adopted in 1992 by the House. It recognized the unique and historic role of Louis Riel as the founder of Manitoba and his contribution to the development of Confederation. This was an important moment in the annals of Metis history as the resolution was overwhelmingly adopted by the House and, equally important, because the resolution was the product of significant consultation with the Metis community.
Whatever decision we make on a matter of this importance must be acceptable to the descendants of Louis Riel and to the Metis people.
I believe that by working together with Riel's descendants and the Metis leadership we will find an appropriate solution to this important matter.
In closing, I would like to thank the member for Rimouski—Mitis for her persistence and constancy in this matter. One day we will together all find a way to more fully and faithfully honour the memory and the legacy of that great individual, Louis Riel.
