Star of Courage  Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to acknowledge Corporal Curtis Barrett, who is joining us in the gallery on Parliament Hill today. In October 2016, Corporal Barrett was awarded the Governor General's Star of Courage for his act of bravery, recognizing his key role in stopping the s

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question because I think it is very important to note that this is a government that takes investments into infrastructure in indigenous communities across Canada very seriously. This past year we have invested record amounts of money int

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, our government is very proud of the relationship we have established with young indigenous Canadians across this country. We will continue to build on that relationship. In terms of the Suzuki report released yesterday, I think it is important to note that our gover

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, we were very proud to meet our commitment to Canadians and launch a truly national independent inquiry into the ongoing tragedy of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls in this country. In August of 2016, we announced the terms of reference that would gui

lnuit-Crown Partnership  Mr. Speaker, I was proud to be in Iqaluit yesterday with the Prime Minister, ministers of our government and Inuit leaders as we signed a declaration to create the lnuit-Crown partnership. This establishes a new chapter between Inuit and the Government of Canada. It includes the

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for the great work he is doing in supporting indigenous issues in our country. Reaching settlements is one of the most important steps along the journey of healing and reconciliation and has been established as a priority for our governm

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I want to reiterate that our government will always choose negotiation over litigation. As Canadians have witnessed this past year, we have made that happen in many cases across Canada. We are continuing to work toward real reconciliation with indigenous people. Tha

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, we as a government have said again and again that we would prefer negotiation over litigation at any time. It is our preferred route to settle differences, especially those of historic wrongs with indigenous people in this country. That is why our government has lau

Indigenous Affairs  Madam Speaker, I want to assure the member that we are very engaged with first nations in this country. We are engaged with them on a path forward on accountability and transparency. In the meantime, the member can be assured that all contribution agreements between our governmen

Indigenous Affairs  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to be here on traditional Algonquin territory. I am also pleased to speak in the House and respond to the question by the member for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo. I want to assure all members of the House that we take allegations of this kind seriously.

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, under provisions of Standing Order 32(2) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, copies of the Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement Implementation Report for 2013–2014. Also under the provisions of Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, we understand the real concern that exists across Canada with respect to the impact on families of the missing and murdered women in Canada. Family members had been very close to them. I, the minister, and many others in our government sat in rooms across Canada wit

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to rise here today, on traditional Algonquin territory, to respond to the question posed by the hon. member for Nanaimo—Ladysmith. We have followed through on our commitment as a government to launch a truly national, independent inquiry into the o

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, one thing the member is exactly right about is that the minister, myself, and the staff in INAC have spent the entire week meeting with first nations governments from all across the country on a variety of issues, day in and day out, that are important to them. We h

Indigenous Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I think the system does not protect the rights of a lot of indigenous members and business on reserve as well. That is why our government and everyone involved wants increased transparency and accountability, including first nations. We want to be able to achieve thi