Relations with Indigenous Peoples  Madam Speaker, I have been overwhelmed today and over this past week by the offers of help coming from all across the nation, all different parties and all different nations. People want to see us get through this in a peaceful way. We know this is the time, as we do not want to

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, I would like to begin by acknowledging we are having this debate on the traditional territory of the Algonquin people. I would also like to express my extreme disappointment that the official opposition of this country has tabled such a divisive motion. It is inde

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, the young indigenous people whom I met with in the office of the Minister of Northern Affairs were not radical activists. They were sensitive, young indigenous people expressing the importance of the land, water and air. One young woman, who had slept in the Minis

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, the hon. member just answered his own question. The motion today is about standing in solidarity with one side in the disputes within that community. Our approach is that we must be able to unlock a peaceful space to have a conversation that will lead to consensu

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. member for the very interesting question. The withdrawal of the RCMP today is a first step. We are hoping that this independent decision by the RCMP will lead to the barricades coming down. It is very important to understand that a company's deci

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, I appreciate the member's thoughtfulness and understanding of the urgency and the real risk of making a difficult situation even worse. We are pursuing dialogue, making an attempt at dialogue. As the hereditary chiefs have come east to meet with the Mohawk, there

Business of Supply  Yes, indeed, Madam Speaker, I spoke with Chief Woos on Sunday. We had a conference call with a number of the hereditary chiefs on Tuesday. They have some issues that they need to deal with before they can meet with me, but they know that this will continue. My officials met in S

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, I too was questioning the number. I understand there are 13 hereditary chiefs. There are four vacancies now. I do not see that a majority of the hereditary chiefs right now are in support of this project. The question is about coming together in harmony, consensus

Public Safety  Mr. Speaker, our government has been working 24/7 to resolve this issue in a peaceful and durable manner. We all recognize the significant impact these blockades are having on Canadians. That is why I was in regular contact with the hereditary chiefs of the Wet'suwet'en nation al

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, the member opposite needs to understand that indigenous nations have to determine these decisions themselves. This is about understanding that, going forward, the hereditary leadership plus the elected chief and council need to come forward to form their government

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, we recognize the urgency of this situation and the significant impact it is having on Canadians from coast to coast to coast. We remain hopeful for a peaceful resolution to the blockades. That is why I was in regular contact with the hereditary chiefs all last week.

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, all Canadians should have access to safe, clean and reliable drinking water. As of March 31, 2020, more than $1.6 billion of targeted funding has been invested to support 619 water and waste-water projects, including 331 that are now completed. These projects will se

Orange Shirt Day  Mr. Speaker, today it is truly important that I recognize that we are gathered here on the unceded territory of the Algonquin people. The spirit of their ancestors must guide our work here in Parliament. On this day, September 30, Canadians across the country will be wearing ora

Orange Shirt Day  Mr. Speaker, it is only by increasing our collective understanding of the damage done by the perceived superiority embedded in colonial policies that we will be able to confront and meaningfully address the racism toward indigenous peoples that shamefully exists in all of our ins

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I share the concern of the member. I too participated yesterday, October 4, as we honoured the lives of those who had gone missing and supported the families of the MMIWG, two-spirited and gender-diverse people across the country. Our government is determined to wor