Citizenship Act  Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. He knows full well that decisions must be made by the government. We can work as hard as we want with the communities and provide support, but it is the government in office that decides what to do with indigenous communities.

Citizenship Act  Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for her important question. My colleagues will know that the situation my colleague just mentioned occurred in Val-d'Or in my riding of Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, during reconciliation, but nothing was done. I was there and I thought to myself that something was finally happening, that we would do something with our communities and we would help them, but that is all still gathering dust.

Citizenship Act  Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for sharing her time with me and giving me this opportunity to debate Bill C-8, an act to amend the Citizenship Act with regard to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's call to action number 94, which was introduced by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

Bills of Exchange Act  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. Indeed, call to action number 80 states, “We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish, as a statutory holiday”. They should not have to ask. As I have always said, there have been discussions with indigenous peoples for years, almost a century, and no action has been taken by the government.

Bills of Exchange Act  Mr. Speaker, I thank my dear colleague for her idea. Education is very important. Indigenous peoples have problems. They do not have enough money. There is the issue of the transfer of resources for education and the commemoration to be observed. It is important that the government again take steps to establish an effective solution for indigenous peoples and communities.

Bills of Exchange Act  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her kind words. It is important that this not be just another holiday, as my colleague and other members just said. It must be a way of supporting reconciliation with indigenous people. The reconciliation process is very important, as are the recommendations given by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Bills of Exchange Act  Mr. Speaker, on September 29, the Minister of Canadian Heritage introduced Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation), an act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code regarding a national day for truth and reconciliation.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague. Let us not forget that we are currently going through a protracted health crisis that is affecting us all. Many have lost a friend, family member or colleague. We ourselves could also get sick and die from this. There is always a risk; anyone can die from it.

Josette Pelletier  Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate Josette Pelletier, who has received the Ordre de Val-d'Or, the city's highest honour for citizens. Ms. Pelletier is a well-known volunteer back home. Over the years, she has been involved in many organizations, such as the Marché public de la Vallée-de-l'Or, the Centre de musique et de danse de Val-d'Or and the Val-d'Or chamber of commerce.

Lobster Fishery Dispute in Nova Scotia  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question. It is regrettable that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans under this and previous governments was incapable of implementing the Marshall decision and establishing regulations based on good nation-to-nation relations. I find it really unfortunate that it has taken the violence we are seeing in Nova Scotia to bring about action.

Lobster Fishery Dispute in Nova Scotia  Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member. Let's negotiate and let's stop the repression. That is important. When we were talking about nation to nation earlier, we were talking about equality, but that is not the case here. Inequality is still a reality for indigenous peoples across Quebec and Canada.

Lobster Fishery Dispute in Nova Scotia  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his speech. This once again proves that the current government is dragging its feet. The government needs to pull up its socks and move forward.

Lobster Fishery Dispute in Nova Scotia  Mr. Speaker, I have a one-word answer: negotiation. It is through negotiation that an agreement will be reached with indigenous communities.

Lobster Fishery Dispute in Nova Scotia  Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise this evening to speak to this emergency debate on the escalating violence against indigenous fishers. I want to say that I will be sharing my time with my colleague, the hon. member for Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia. I cannot begin my speech without first strongly condemning the criminal acts that have been committed in Nova Scotia, and the hatred and racism levelled at the Mi'kmaq people that we have seen lately.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, since my colleague talked about racism, I will talk about indigenous communities. It is good to talk, but there also needs to be action. Can we acknowledge the clear link between the spread of COVID-19 and the sanitary conditions of first nations? Can we pass a bill to give effect to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples?