Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have to honour to table, in both official languages, four separate reports. The first is the 2011-12 annual report of the Labrador and Inuit Land Claims Agreement implementation coordinating committee. The second report I wish t

World War II Heroes  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour two Chilliwack heroes, Flying Officer Dave Barrett and Warrant Officer Bernie McNicholl, for their service in Bomber Command operations during World War II. Flying Officer Barrett was a pilot in Mosquito bombers with the Pathfinders, flying ah

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, this government is committed to reforming the first nation education act and not simply addressing it with more money. We have to have reform of the system—of the non-system, as the minister has called it—before addressing the funding issue. Our government remains c

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question from the hon. member for Nanaimo—Cowichan. I also appreciate the member for Nipissing—Timiskaming supporting me in giving my answer tonight. I would remind the hon. opposition member that our government firmly believes that all first nation

The Environment  Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to protecting the environment while supporting our economy. Canada's natural resource sector employs 1.8 million Canadians, many in skilled, high-paying jobs. Resource development generates $30 billion annually in revenue, and we are maki

The Environment  Mr. Speaker, as I said previously, our government has always been and will continue to be committed to consulting with Canadians, including aboriginal people, and giving careful consideration to their concerns. Building relationships with aboriginal groups and encouraging and su

Indian Act Amendment and Replacement Act  Mr. Speaker, it is indeed a pleasure to join in this debate. It is disappointing, but unfortunately not surprising, to see that the opposition is once again standing up for the status quo when it comes to first nations issues. Our government knows that for too many years, 137 ye

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, our government takes its legal duty to consult and accommodate very seriously. Where appropriate, we have said that we would accommodate aboriginal groups if it has been determined that treaty and aboriginal rights could be impacted. I do take issue with the idea th

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to speak to the question of the hon. member for Nanaimo—Cowichan, a fellow British Columbian and someone who is concerned about aboriginal peoples in Canada. This is my first opportunity to participate in adjournment proceedings and I am glad yo

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEES  Mr. Speaker, of course we are all hoping that someday you may have those powers granted to you in the future. When we have had legislation dealing with first nations before the House, such as the safer water act for our first nations, the NDP voted against it. We brought in matr

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEES  Mr. Speaker, the member for Elgin—Middlesex—London is the hard-working chair of the procedure and House affairs committee, and I know he is respected by all members in the House. The NDP and Liberals, whom I have stated oppose every measure we take to work with first nations and

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEES  Mr. Speaker, exactly what I talked about was improving the democratic process for first nations that want to opt in to a new first nations elections act. That is exactly what some other people have said. I will continue with some positive comments. Chief Candice Paul, then exec

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEES  Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Prince Edward—Hastings for his thoughtful question and for his concern for this issue. The development of the bill was a direct result of collaboration and partnership with first nations. We are simply responding to a process that was st

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEES  Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise in this place to speak about an important bill, Bill S-6, the first nations elections act, which, during the last Parliament, passed into committee.

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEES  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the hon. member giving me two sentences to launch into my speech before interrupting with a point of order. We are talking about the government motion, which includes the ability to bring the legislation that was before the House last June and that was r