Niki Ashton

[Royal Canadian Mounted Police, May 22nd, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, serious allegations of sexual harassment have once again surfaced at the RCMP, demonstrating yet again the failed leadership of the minister and his government to act on this mounting crisis. For too long, women officers have suffered abuse and have been re-victimized as they have come forward. The government introduced a weak bill, criticized by witness after witness for failing to put an end to sexual harassment in the RCMP.

Will the minister commit today to working with the RCMP, with the women officers affected and with stakeholders to put an end to this endemic problem?

[Violence Against Women, May 22nd, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, as the status of women critic for the NDP, I am here to ask the Conservative government to step up and act to end violence against women.

The Conservatives claim that ending violence against women is a top priority, yet when given the opportunity to take action, they refuse. There is a pandemic of missing and murdered aboriginal women, but the government has yet to launch a public inquiry or commit to action.

The list goes on. Just yesterday, yet another former RCMP officer came forward seeking justice after being sexually assaulted on the job. When the Conservatives had the opportunity to give direction, they refused.

The Conservatives must face a harsh fact: women are still subject to violence in Canada because they are women. That is why I have submitted Motion 444 for consideration, calling on the government to develop, in collaboration with the provinces, territories, civil society, and first nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, a coordinated national action plan to address violence against women.

Violence against women is not just a women's issue; it affects all Canadians. I urge the government to heed the NDP call to work to end it.

[Elijah Harper, May 21st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents and all New Democrats, I stand in this House and pay tribute to Elijah Harper. I would like to share our condolences with Elijah Harper's family and his community on this great loss.

From a young age, I had the honour of knowing Elijah as he was first elected MLA in Manitoba in 1981, along with my father.

Elijah made history as the first first nations person to be elected as MLA and then as cabinet minister in Manitoba. He changed the course of history by speaking for aboriginal people on the Meech Lake accord. He spoke with courage on first nations issues and was a champion for first nations sovereignty, for justice, for building a better future.

I have the honour to represent the same constituency Elijah Harper represented, including Red Sucker Lake, Elijah's first nation, a nation that is so proud of him. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to meet with Elijah on a number of occasions to share perspectives on northern and aboriginal issues.

Elijah Harper was a visionary and a trailblazer. He was a role model. History will record him as being a great leader for first nations, for Manitobans and for Canadians.

We thank Elijah. Chii-Miigwetch.

[Business of Supply, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Chair, I would ask the minister to hear the calls from the Garden Hill First Nation regarding policing.

The department completely eliminated the funding envelope that provides first nations and tribal councils with the financial resources to secure legal services. Could the minister explain why the government continues to take actions that stifle the ability of first nations to advocate and protect their interests?

[Business of Supply, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Chair, is the minister saying that all first nations that have pointed to the deficiency in policing funding are okay with the funding announcement, or are there still first nations that require and have asked for federal funding for their police service?

[Business of Supply, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Chair, when will the first nations police program be updated to address the current situation facing first nations police services and include resources for housing and infrastructure?

[Business of Supply, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Chair, how does the federal government plan to address the need for increases to officer complements in first nations police forces and for proper training and equipment for these officers so they can do their job effectively, efficiently and safely.

[Business of Supply, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Chair, we know that aboriginal women often live in greater poverty than aboriginal men.

The question is: In the aboriginal economic development program, what percentage of the funding is focused on engaging women in the workplace, or is there no focus on employing and training aboriginal women?

[Business of Supply, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Chair, what percentage of funding for aboriginal economic development is going to women or organizations that serve and employ aboriginal women?

[Business of Supply, May 9th, 2013]

Mr. Chair, the percentage of aboriginal women in prison is 33%.

How is the government addressing the overrepresentation of aboriginal women in prisons?