Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, we understand that the member opposite has an interpretation that is far different from reality. We also understand the concerns of aboriginal children. We have expanded school construction and other spending because we do understand. Since 2000, the department has invested over $5 million in Attawapiskat for expansion of the high school and temporary classrooms, and approximately $1 million a year for operations and upkeep of the schools.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, we made great strides at the crown-first nations gathering. Our government is committed to moving beyond the constraints of the Indian Act. For example, I was proud to announce last week the addition of 18 first nations to the first nations land management regime and to sign the framework agreement for self-government negotiations with the Whitecap Dakota First Nation in Saskatchewan.

James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and the Northeastern Quebec Agreement  Mr. Speaker, under the provisions of Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, copies of the 2005-06 and 2006-07 annual report of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and the Northeastern Quebec Agreement.

First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan  Mr. Speaker, under the provisions of Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, copies of the First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan progress report, January 2008 to March 2009.

Lobster Fishery  Mr. Speaker, the minister has been involved in extensive discussions. We are committed to making the industry viable. All I can say is that we are doing everything we can to make people's lives easy, in total contradiction to the Liberals, who are trying to kill jobs through things like their contradiction on the seal hunt and no sanctions for a Liberal senator who is running around trying to kill the industry.

Lobster Fishery  Mr. Speaker, we are committed to working with the Atlantic provinces, Quebec and harvester and processor associations to address this issue and others, in part through the creation of a new lobster council. We are committed to the long-term success of the lobster industry. That is why we invested $10 million last month in a marketing initiative, and we will assist the industry through Canada's economic action plan.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, budget 2009 invests an additional $1.4 billion over three years for aboriginal priority spending. There is new money for housing, for water, for all of those priorities on reserves. I simply do not understand where the member is coming from. The members of the NDP have already made up their minds that they are not going to support this good budget.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, the government's commitment to improving first nations education and working in partnership with the province and first nations communities is clear. The review we are doing was announced as part of budget 2008 and is to ensure that we are spending our money effectively to achieve the best possible results for aboriginal university and college students.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans plays an important role in protecting our nation's waterways and aquatic ecosystems. DFO is working hard to advance Canada's interests in these areas through scientific research and making sound decisions and policies based on science.

Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act  Madam Speaker, I listened with great interest, and my position was invoked many times. The question I would ask of the member for Toronto Centre is this. There is a fiduciary obligation on the part of the government. He described the bill as being paternalistic. I believe it is not paternalistic.

Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act  Madam Speaker, the member talked about consultation. There was considerable consultation on the bill, with 103 different meetings and multi-millions of dollars spent. A lot of work was done with the Native Women's Association of Canada, the Assembly of First Nations and with other organizations.

Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act  Madam Speaker, I want to assure the Bloc member, who is a member of the standing committee, that the Conservative Party is not going to take the Bloc position for granted. I want to also assure my colleague that the government is committed to this legislation. The minister made this very clear when he spoke to the bill recently.

House debate  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to speak to the question from the member for Timmins—James Bay. We believe that first nations students are entitled to an education that will encourage and inspire them to stay in school, an education that will enable them to get the skills they need to find and keep good jobs.

Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act  Madam Speaker, I welcome the remarks of the member for Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou. I would like to ask him a brief question. How does this bill respond to the aspirations of the Oujé-Bougoumou band to be recognized as the ninth Cree band?

Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act  Madam Speaker, I listened with interest to my colleague on the committee. We have certainly enjoyed the testimony in dealing with this act. There is all-party agreement that this should proceed. I was interested in the member's comments about the dispute resolution process. I know this was something she asked specifically about at the briefing provided yesterday.