Supply  Mr. Speaker, the time allotted for me to speak was 20 minutes and I used my 20 minutes. If I were to address all the concerns this motion addresses just from my single perspective, I would need at least two hours in this House. There is a reliance by me on some of my colleagues which will happen today.

Committees Of The House  Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts relating to chapter 6 of the April 1999 Report of the Auditor General of Canada, Human Resources Development Canada—An Accountability for Shared Social Programs; and, the second report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts relating to chapter 10 of the April 1999 Report of the Auditor General of Canada, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada—Funding Arrangements for First Nations: Follow-up.

Split Lake Cree First Nation Flooded Land Act  Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to speak to Bill C-36, the Split Lake Cree First Nation Flooded Land Act. This legislation comes as a result of a Manitoba hydro project initiated back in the 1940s. This project flooded 11,800 acres of land on five Indian band reserves. This economic development project flooded 10 per cent of the reserve lands with negative consequences for the bands at Split Lake, Cross Lake, Nelson House, Norway House and York Factory affecting their traditional activities.

Pictou Landing Indian Band Agreement Act  Madam Speaker, I enjoyed listening to the member for Central Nova in whose riding is the Pictou Landing band. I also enjoyed the speech of the Bloc member for Saint-Jean. However, if it had not been for the opening and closing statements, I would not know which way he would be voting.

Nisga'A Final Agreement Act  Madam Speaker, I would like to speak about one of the most important features of the Nisga'a final agreement, one that goes to the very fabric of democracy and justice. We have heard a lot of talk in recent years and recent days about the need for governments to be accountable.

Nunavut Act  The official opposition will do everything in its power to remedy that mistake. Several of my colleagues, in particular the chief opposition critic for Indian affairs and northern development, the hon. member for Skeena, will analyse part 1 of this bill and propose improvements that will benefit the people of Nunavut in practical ways. My intention is to focus entirely on part 2 of the bill.

Special Debate  Mr. Speaker, it is not a matter of liking a decision or not liking a decision. The reason for going back to the court is to get some guidance on what the court meant by the decision. For example, the Supreme Court of Canada failed to accurately describe moderate living. Some native advocates contend that a net annual income of $80,000 is a moderate living.

National Solidarity Day For The Aboriginal Peoples Of Canada Act  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to take part in this debate. I would like to commend the hon. member for Kamloops for bringing this issue to the floor of the House of Commons. It has long been an important premise of this country that we work to achieve equality in this society.

Nunavut Act  I would commend my colleague from South Shore who has been a strong and vigorous spokesperson, not only on behalf of his riding, but on behalf of the Progressive Conservative Party and all Canadians with respect to his responsibilities as critic for the Indian and northern affairs portfolio. I also want to take the opportunity to commend the efforts of the hon. member for Nunavut. Although we do not share the same political affiliation, I know the member is deeply committed to achieving progress for her constituents as they enter the 21st century as residents of Canada's newest territory.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I received a copy of the following letter only yesterday from the Liberal leader in B.C. It reads: Dear Prime Minister, I am writing to note my extreme dismay over your government's motion to invoke closure on the Nisga'a treaty debate today. This motion is an unacceptable slight to British Columbia, and to all Canadians who deserve a full and open debate on this landmark treaty.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, it would be good to hear from the fisheries minister. The Marshall decision establishes a race-based commercial fishery on the east coast. History Professor Patterson was one of the central experts cited in that case. He thinks the ruling was flawed. He said: Mr. Binnie relies extensively on my testimony in order to support that position.

Nunavut Act  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague from Saint-Jean and my colleague from South Shore. I have been in the House all afternoon and I hoped we would get around to talking about Nunavut and what it means to this country and to the people of Nunavut, and my two colleagues have done that.

Questions On The Order Paper  Of the 633 Indian bands in Canada: ( a ) how many are covered by aboriginal policing agreements, ( b ) what is the total cost for aboriginal policing agreements for fiscal year 1993-94; fiscal year 1994-95; and the estimated final cost for fiscal year 1995-96, and ( c ) of these agreements in question ( b ), what is the federal government financial component of these aboriginal policing agreements for fiscal year 1993-94; fiscal year 1994-95; and the estimated final cost for fiscal year 1995-96?

Committees Of The House  Mr. Speaker, I move that the first report of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, presented to the House Monday, March 23, otherwise known as the east coast report, be concurred in. The government has now tabled its response to the east coast report. The east coast report was tabled in the House by the chair of the standing committee on March 23, 1998.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, we are proud that we stand up for British Columbians and we are proud that we stand up for all Canadians. We believe in equality. I want to read the quote to the parliamentary secretary again: We are the true owners of British Columbia. The Indians across the province own everything—the rivers, the trees, the bugs, the animals, you name it.