Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, these land claims are supposed to be a cost borne by all Canadians, not by rural municipalities in Saskatchewan. The minister is offloading federal responsibility on to the municipalities. They had a previously negotiated agreement. The minister has usurped that agreement and is now threatening to create tax exempt reserve lands over the objections of the rural municipalities unless they agree to this unfair five times formula.

Nisga'A Land Claims  An agreement in principle with the Nisga'a people was signed on their land, the Nass Valley, by Chief Joe Gosnell, Minister John Cashore, and the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. It was a great event for all British Columbians and for those invited participants who attended. I was there. There was a full house.

Nisga'A Land Claims  Mr. Speaker, again the Reform proves to all members that it does not know what it is talking about. If it does know what it is talking about, it is giving the wrong information to the House. The Nisga'a deal proclaims that in the 12 years, after we help them, the Nisga'a will be paying taxes like every other Canadian.

Nisga'A Land Claims  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my heartfelt congratulations to President Gosnell and the Nisga'a people on the signing of the agreement in principle this past Friday. Our colleague, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, is also to be congratulated for his important role in seeing this historic moment to fruition.

Financial Administration Act  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for St. Albert for his motion to introduce amendments to the Financial Administration Act, an act that will require all departments and agencies to table in the House their responses to the auditor general's reports on their activities.

Department Of Industry Act  Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to contribute to second reading debate on Bill C-46, an act to establish the Department of Industry. The bill will establish in law the new Department of Industry that was created in June 1993 by the former administration. While always a powerful ministry historically run by a powerful minister, this new Department of Industry is an amalgamation of the former Department of Industry, Science and Technology Canada, the former Department of Consumer and Corporate Affairs, the telecommunication side of the Department of Communications and Investment Canada.

Supply  Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in the debate on the opposition motion and indicate why I cannot support the motion. I cannot do so because I believe that together we are a great nation, a strong, vibrant and wealthy nation that is inclusive, a nation and a society that knows how to accommodate French and English, native peoples and cultures from the four corners of the world.

Indian Affairs  Another member suggests that I fund it. The fact is that no funds have been advanced to that organization since 1991. The facts that are alleged to be improper on the part of the hon. member have been given to the RCMP for investigation.

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, the member implies that I run the aboriginal capital corporation in question, which is not the case.

Indian Affairs  I did say that yesterday. I am sorry you were not listening. Mr. Speaker, I realize that due process is sometimes seen by the Reform Party to be a bit of an inconvenience, but in this case I suggest it let the police do their work.

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, with respect to the efficiency of the administration and the appropriateness of the conduct of the organization, the member is right that we have concerns about it. That is why I indicated to interviewers that we would be investigating it. Not only has there been no additional federal money given to the organization, not only has the agreement with the organization terminated, but we are continuing to work with them to correct the administrative conduct if necessary.

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, as I explained earlier, if there is evidence of the allegations that were made by the member posing the question previously, the action will be taken by the appropriate law enforcement officers. I am not going to comment on the status of investigations bearing on criminal matters.

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, the hon. member describes this as a serious matter and he is right. He should treat it as such and let the police do their work.

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I think the answer to the first question stands. I would say this to the hon. member. I do not think we need lessons from the Reform Party on how to help the aboriginal people establish themselves in ways that are going to promote their self-sufficiency and their entry into the real markets of the world.

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, the hon. member makes very serious allegations of a criminal nature. He knows that these matters, if they are true, will be dealt with by the appropriate law enforcement agencies.