Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, everyone, including first nations governments, wants to see increased transparency, and we certainly do as well. We are working in partnership with first nations leadership and organizations to ensure that we have the proper process in place. We do not believe in a top-down process.

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, we recognize that the fiscal arrangement that was put in place by the former government is not a fair process. It was not done in consultation with first nations people; rather, it was imposed upon them. We are undertaking to look at that full fiscal arrangement. We had met with a number of indigenous governments across Canada.

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, the member opposite is obviously trying to make this look like a process whereby band chiefs and indigenous governments in this country are accountable to no one, and that is wrong. They are accountable, first, to the Government of Canada for the money they are afforded and, second, to their own membership.

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate your ruling. As I was saying, transparency and accountability are paramount in any government. It is the same in our government. That has not changed. However, the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs had been mandated to undertake, along with the Minister of Justice, and in full partnership and consultations with first nations, Inuit, and Métis, a review of laws to ensure that the Crown is fully executing its obligations in accordance with its constitutional and international obligations.

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise this evening in response to the question posed by the member for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo. She posed this question previously in the House of Commons, and we have responded to it. However, I will attempt to clarify again for the hon. member opposite.

Northern Lights Conference  Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to welcome so many people from the north and join them at the Northern Lights Conference here in Ottawa last week. The Labrador North and Baffin Regional Chambers of Commerce hosted a premier event showcasing business, industry, culture, and history in the northern regions of Nunavik, Nunavut, Nunatsiavut, and Labrador.

Canada Labour Code  Madam Speaker, I want to thank the minister for introducing this bill in the House of Commons today. We can all agree that over the last number of months, we have had many people in our constituencies raise concerns about Bill C-377 and Bill C-525 and the fact that they were going to have a tremendous negative impact on unions and unionized workers in the country.

Canadian Polar Commission  Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, copies of the 2014-2015 Canadian Polar Commission annual report.

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her question, but everyone, including first nations governments, wants increased transparency and accountability. We are going to achieve this through full partnership in working with first nations leadership and organizations. We all know that a top-down approach from Ottawa has not worked with first nations governments in this country.

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, we are establishing a strong partnership with first nations governments in this country. In the meantime, first nations governments will continue their long-standing reporting of their audited consolidated financial statements, including chiefs and councils, including salaries and expenses, and that will be disclosed to the department and to the membership of those first nations.

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, we realized the chronic underfunding that has existed in first nations, for many first nations children. We are very concerned about this, and for the first time our government is in a position to be able to take action. We are committed to investing more in first nations children in Canada, so that they too can have that equal opportunity, as all other Canadian children have.

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I certainly appreciate the concerns that the member opposite has displayed on this issue. First, I would never underestimate the due diligence of the Prime Minister of Canada. The Prime Minister and the government will be led by action. This is a government that has made a commitment to reconcile the differences that we have had with the indigenous people of Canada for many generations and decades.

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to respond to the question put forth by the hon. member for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo. For all of my colleagues here I think it is clear and understood that the Prime Minister has said no relationship is more important to him and to Canada than the one with indigenous peoples.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, that is a very important question, and I am happy to speak to it. The difference between the previous government and our government is that we see opportunity in the future, and there is tremendous opportunity in 5 Wing Goose Bay to serve as part of the Arctic and northern mission.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, we were very proud to move on implementing the inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls in our country. We know the value of doing this piece of work, but we also know the value of doing it right. That includes consulting with the families, which is ongoing at this stage.