Rod Bruinooge

[Aboriginal Affairs, November 2nd, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform my hon. colleague that our government has obviously looked at this report from the Auditor General quite closely. We are working toward progress with the Inuvialuit, and in this region, we are also assisted by the Government of the Northwest Territories and the regional bodies as well.

However, I would like to acknowledge that not since Prime Minister Diefenbaker has there been a prime minister that has been so interested and supportive of the north. I would like to commend our Prime Minister for all the action he has taken on behalf of northern communities.

[Aboriginal Affairs, November 2nd, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, we have actually been quite clear in relation to the UN draft declaration. It is something that we did not support because we believe that Canada actually is one of the most progressive countries in the world, in terms of acknowledging aboriginal people. They are right in our charter.

The Charter of Rights and Freedoms acknowledges first nations people, Métis people and Inuit people. This ambiguous agreement actually does not impact aboriginal people in Canada like extending the Canadian Human Rights Act would. This is something that this member is against and is not supporting.

Hopefully, we will bring forward Bill C-44 very soon and hopefully she will support it this time.

[Aboriginal Affairs, November 2nd, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question because it gives me an opportunity to talk about what our government is interested in doing.

Unlike that press release the hon. member speaks of, which the former government put forward in its dying days, we are interested in systemic reform.

This is the most important thing that faces first nations people throughout Canada, improving the very system that unfortunately keeps first nations people from being able to take advantage of all the economic benefits in Canada.

I hope the member is actually interested in helping us in another systemic reform, which is extending the Canadian Human Rights Act to first nations people. I hope she changes her ways and decides to support us in this reform.

[Aboriginal Affairs, November 1st, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, our government is keenly aware of the issues that have been raised in this documentary. In fact, we are putting roughly $64 million into the Algonquin of Quebec. I hope that this will continue to advance these people.

However, that member and his party do not support extending the Canadian Human Rights Act to first nations people, which is an essential step and one that we must take for Canadian first nations.

[Jordan Anderson, October 29th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, there is no greater sacrifice than to lay down one's life for one's country, and it can be especially painful to lose someone who is just beginning his life. Such sacrifice deserves a special honour. I applaud the University of Manitoba for its decision to award a posthumous degree to a fallen Canadian soldier, Corporal Jordan Anderson.

On October 18, the U of M honoured Anderson not only for his work as a political studies major, but for his service to his country. Anderson was a member of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in Winnipeg. He was completing his arts degree through the U of M's military support office when he was killed by a roadside bomb near Kandahar. I admire the courage of Corporal Anderson's wife, Amanda, who accepted the arts degree on her late husband's behalf.

I commend the House to recognize the sacrifice of young men and women like Anderson and the sacrifice of their spouses and families. We would not be where we are today without such sacrifice. It is men and women like Anderson who make me truly proud to be a Canadian.

[Aboriginal Affairs, October 26th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada is very mindful of the Mi'kmaq in that region and specifically in Newfoundland. We continue these negotiations and we are hopeful that there will be resolution in the short term.

[Resumption of debate on Address in Reply, October 19th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, we have made a large commitment, not only to research but also to building a northern port in Nunavut. This will definitely assist the Government of Canada, not only in being able to do further research but also promoting our sovereignty in the area.

[Resumption of debate on Address in Reply, October 19th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, of course diplomacy is an important part of maintaining sovereignty in the north. I did indicate that we are working with Denmark in relation to the specific case of a debate on sovereignty. However, I would say that over the last number of years we have seen a massive depletion of our military and I think, based on my appreciation of international diplomacy, that it does make a difference when one is actually capable of defending one's sovereignty in terms of being able to administer diplomacy.

I know that the member and all the individuals who I know who live throughout the north, both Inuit and non-Inuit, would appreciate living within the Canadian context instead of some foreign power that does not hold democratic values as we do in Canada.

[Resumption of debate on Address in Reply, October 19th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I guess in turn I would have to say that being referred to as a colonialist is something that I find offensive as well, so I suppose I would ask for him to withdraw that.

[Resumption of debate on Address in Reply, October 19th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I must say that I do not appreciate being referred to as a colonialist in light of the fact that I am an aboriginal Canadian but I will respond to his question in relation to Fort Albany.

In fact, this community built a number of homes according to a plan that they devised themselves. Indian affairs was not involved with the plan but is more than prepared to help the community address its situation with mould.

Unfortunately, the member did want to create some type of media stunt at a most recent meeting and department officials wanted no part of that. I hope that in the future he will want to proceed in a very professional and parliamentary way and, should he choose to do that, we will continue to work with him on this very important issue.