Lobster Fishery Dispute in Nova Scotia  Madam Speaker, I am glad my colleague brought up the fisheries committee today, but it appears as though he framed it as government members were not supporting conservation. However, within that same motion, which I introduced and amended, we stated that we would be talking to indigenous knowledge holders and scientists, both Mi'kmaq and non-Mi'kmaq.

Lobster Fishery Dispute in Nova Scotia  Madam Speaker, one of the things we have to understand is that the Mi'kmaq have been governing and policing themselves for a very long time. I have talked to the minister about this. We said that we would increase the police presence there. We have had this conversation. With respect to the military, one of the things that Mi'kmaq leaders are quite afraid of is having an increased presence of military in that area.

Lobster Fishery Dispute in Nova Scotia  Madam Speaker, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was really clear. It said that what had happened in Canada had been cultural genocide. While we can say that the federal government is to blame, there is plenty of blame in Canada to go around for all levels of government in denying indigenous people their rights in Canada.

Lobster Fishery Dispute in Nova Scotia  Madam Speaker, I was absolutely horrified by what I was seeing there, but as a member of Parliament who had the ability to travel there, I wanted to see it for myself and talk to the people themselves. I have always said that I would be the one who would go there to listen and hear them.

Lobster Fishery Dispute in Nova Scotia  Madam Speaker, I am joining the House today from the Eskasoni community, the Mi'kmaq community, the largest Mi'kmaq first nation in the heart of Mi'kma'ki, on the unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq. I rise today as the lone Mi'kmaq MP in the House, the only MP of Mi'kmaq descent this House has ever known, but also as someone who is part of a large fishing community.

Lobster Fishery Dispute in Nova Scotia  Mr. Speaker, I understand that the Leader of the Opposition went to law school and graduated in 2003. I graduated in 2004 from the same law school. While I was there, I was taught that there are three laws in Canada: the English common law, the French civil law and indigenous law.

Lobster Fishery Dispute in Nova Scotia  Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, I was just about to ask the leader of the NDP if he would mind amending that motion because the 1752 treaty is not the one recognized in the Marshall case. It was the 1760-61 treaty that was recognized in the Marshall case. Other than that, I have no problems with that statement.

Support for Local Artists  Madam Speaker, during this time of COVID crisis, when many of us have been doing our part to socially distance, we have found solace and comfort in the arts. Music, poetry, television and literature have all become more meaningful in this challenging time, offering escape and relief.

MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate a Cape Breton teacher and musician. Mr. Carter Chiasson, a teacher at Allison Bernard Memorial High School in Eskasoni, was awarded the 2020 MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award. This award recognizes inspirational and passionate Canadian music educators' impact on students.

Citizenship Act  Madam Speaker, it is important to recognize the Constitution. There were many first nations who were a part of the dialogue moving forward in determining the Constitution. My father was a legal adviser for the Mi'kmaq grand council and he advocated for section 35. Within section 35 they recognized three nations: first nations, Inuit and Métis.

Citizenship Act  Madam Speaker, I believe that all across Canada the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is a blueprint for reconciliation. However, within that blueprint, it is not just the federal government doing its part. I was a treaty education lead for five years before I became an MP and I can guarantee we looked at the calls to action.

Citizenship Act  Madam Speaker, I would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of the Algonquin nation. I would just like to take the time to say that I will be sharing my time with the member for Surrey Centre. I stand here today to discuss the amendments to Canada's citizenship oath that our government is proposing.

Relations with Indigenous Peoples  Mr. Speaker, where we have arrived at in this country requires us to talk with respect. When leaders in the opposition can talk respectfully about indigenous issues, I will applaud that. I do not feel that there has been respectful discussion by the Leader of the Opposition. I heard his comments today and I heard his comments when he was presenting in front of the Assembly of First Nations last year.

Relations with Indigenous Peoples  Mr. Speaker, I reject the premise that reconciliation is not formed out of crisis. I feel that reconciliation is something that has been 150 years or more in the making. We can all look at recent events and question the government on our actions, but has any other government in the past 150 years acted differently towards indigenous people?

Relations with Indigenous Peoples  [Member spoke in Mi'kmaq] [English] Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the Algonquin territory which we meet on today. Many of us have acknowledged the traditional territories of indigenous nations on whose land we meet. Some of us go as far as to say we are on unceded land.