Budget Implementation Act, 2018, No. 1  Madam Speaker, I am very happy to stand in the House today to talk about our 2018 budget. It is a fitting budget, called “Equality + Growth: A Strong Middle Class”, which is the direction our government is leading in Canada. This budget is the next step in the government's plan, which is investing in people, investing in communities, and investing in our economy.

Indigenous Affairs  Madam Speaker, we are the first government in this country to recognize the very need to change the legislation that currently exists in Canada, which has been there for hundreds of years. We are restoring rights to indigenous women with respect to gender-based equality in this country, and that cannot be denied as it is clear in the legislation.

Indigenous Affairs  Madam Speaker, first of all, I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional territory of the Algonquin people. Second, I would like to congratulate all of those women who were recognized last evening, and many other women across Canada who have fought, and continue to fight, hard for gender-based equity in our country, including those within the House of Commons.

Natural Resources  Madam Speaker, our government's objectives have been very clear in this country: to develop the vital infrastructure that is critical to getting Canadian resources to global markets, something that the former government failed to do. We are also restoring public confidence. We are advancing indigenous reconciliation, something the former government did not do as well.

Natural Resources  Madam Speaker, unfortunately there is not enough time in this session to address all of the claims that the member has raised, but I do want to tackle some of the issues that I feel are very critical. Those are around job creation, what is happening in Alberta, and how we are standing up for Canadian jobs on this side of the House.

Natural Resources  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Northwest Territories for his tremendous leadership on northern issues in Canada. Canada's northern co-management approach to resource development is an example to the world, and one we are proud of. Both territorial and indigenous partners came together at the UN Permanent Forum on co-management in the north, because it has ensured that indigenous people are equal partners in determining the best use of their lands and their resources.

Northern Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his advocacy on this issue. It is completely unacceptable that northerners are still struggling to feed their families and pay the most extraordinary prices for food in Canada. Our government has already expanded the nutrition north program to include 37 more communities across Canada.

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I can certainly understand the frustration of the member opposite, but she needs to understand as well that this inquiry is progressing, that families are at the centre of it. Many people today are before these inquires. Many people need the support of government, in so many ways, in getting through this process.

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today on the traditional territory of the Algonquin people to respond to the questions from my hon. colleague. Our government is absolutely committed to ending the ongoing tragedy of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. We are the first government in this country to ever step forward and recognize the need for this inquiry.

World Tuberculosis Day  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to mark the occasion of March 24, which is recognized as World Tuberculosis Day. TB is a treatable and curable disease. However, it continues to claim the lives of more than 1.7 million people worldwide. Indicators show that it is nearly 300 times higher for Inuit than for non-indigenous Canadians.

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, it is unbelievable the amount of work the commission has been able to do, and the number of families who have been able to have their voices heard. However, this inquiry is far from over, and we know that. We are committed to ending the ongoing national tragedy. We thank the commission for the work that it has done so far.

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I know the member opposite would like to have this happen within her time frame. The reality is that we are truly committed to real reconciliation with indigenous people. The independent national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls is vital to that process.

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the traditional territory of the Algonquin people to answer the question posed by my hon. colleague. Our government remains committed to ending the ongoing national tragedy of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls in Canada. This is why, when previous governments failed to do so, we immediately moved to establish an independent inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.

Fisheries Act  Mr. Speaker, my colleague sat in many of those meetings with me in my riding and she knows of what she speaks. I could not be prouder than I am of the fishing industry I represent in my riding. It is a predominantly indigenous fishery, but it also includes many people who fall outside the indigenous guidelines.

Fisheries Act  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have this question because I think it is an important one. When we look at the recreational fishery, we see that it is an economically driven fishery. It brings tremendous benefits to rural and northern Canada, and to my riding. I am an angler myself.