First Nations Elections Act  Mr. Speaker, the words from the member on behalf of the Treaty 8 First Nations and first nations from Alberta are critical to this debate. We have a recurrent theme here. There are first nations from across the country that are opposing bills that the government is putting forw

First Nations Elections Act  Mr. Speaker, I certainly want to thank my colleague for his compliments on the beauty of my constituency and northern Manitoba. It is indeed true. However, I will respectfully disagree with the rest of his comments. I find that the status quo, if that is what we are talking abou

First Nations Elections Act  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak in opposition to Bill S-6, yet another bill that the Conservative government is putting forward about which first nations have a great deal of concern. Certainly he NDP believes it is a serious matter and that first natio

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to present two petitions today. The first petition I am presenting in the House of Commons is in support of Bill C-473, introduced by a colleague from Quebec. The petitioners are calling on the House of Commons to pass this legislation, which aims to

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, the second petition is signed by the electors and citizens of Elmwood—Transcona. They are drawing the attention of the government to the need to support the Canada pension plan and the Quebec pension plan, underscoring the importance of secure pensions for people in

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, Canadians have serious questions about the government's role in the Senate, yet Conservatives disrespect this House and disrespect Canadians by refusing to answer. Let us try this again. Has anyone on that side of the House seen a copy of this cheque that they seem

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, last night, Pamela Wallin said, “...the job of a principal secretary or a Chief of Staff is to ....try and protect the Prime Minister”. Do Conservatives agree with this statement and is it then not reasonable to assume that Nigel Wright had the Prime Minister's int

Tackling Contraband Tobacco Act  Mr. Speaker, I struggle with the member's tone because I actually know the facts. I live in the north and I see the reality. I have been to communities where band constables have been laid off. I have spoken to leaders who, at the last minute, at the eleventh hour, have been tryi

Tackling Contraband Tobacco Act  Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for the question. It is ironic that the government is talking about the importance of security and the importance of the police and telling Canadians that it is in control of the situation, when the reality on the ground is quite different.

Tackling Contraband Tobacco Act  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to speak to Bill S-16, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in contraband tobacco). As has been stated very clearly, the NDP is in support of sending this bill to committee and having a closer look at it, a bill that aims to address a very seri

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns  With regard to government funding specifically dedicated to ending violence against women, what was the total amount of funding, broken down by fiscal year, from fiscal year 2006-2007 up to and including fiscal year 2011-2012, broken down by (i) the department or agency responsib

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, the fact is people are concerned that the Conservatives will apply a double standard when it comes to reproductive rights. Survivors of sexual violence in conflict areas need comprehensive reproductive health services, including emergency contraception, gender equali

Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act  Mr. Speaker, I certainly will not be retracting any comments that I made and I would encourage the member and his colleagues across to come and visit the first nations in my area and spend time with the first nations that they represent. We have heard from national organizations

Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act  Mr. Speaker, I am very honoured to rise in the House to speak on behalf of so many of my constituents and first nations people across Canada who have vehemently opposed Bill S-2. I stand here on a day, as was noted earlier, five years after the anniversary of the current govern

Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act  Mr. Speaker, I had the honour of being part of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women in hearing first nations women from the grassroots and women involved in leadership speak out against the government's colonial agenda as evidenced in Bill S-2. The member across seemed