Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, on November 8 the Minister of Industry, with previous notice, in response to my question stated that no funds had been advanced to the Ontario Métis and Aboriginal Association since 1991. I have since determined that since 1991 some $270,000 has been advanced to the

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, the RCMP investigation of the Ontario Métis and Aboriginal Association, initiated as a result of my questioning in November, is awaiting a report from the minister's department. Can the minister assure the House this report will be more complete than his answer of N

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I point out to the minister that this organization has had a cash flow constantly throughout the years, despite the cutting off of federal funds. There are still moneys coming in from the previous loans portfolio and they are being mismanaged, poorly managed. I ask

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, yesterday I asked the Minister of Industry about the misappropriation of funds at the Ontario Metis and Aboriginal Association. In 1993 the minister's department was aware that its guidelines were being seriously broken and the association was declared insolvent by

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Industry has been aware of the abuse of his department's aboriginal business development programs and specifically the role played by Mr. Henry Wetelainen, president of the Ontario Metis and Aboriginal Association, based in Sault Ste. Marie. This ind

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I would like a commitment from the minister that he has indeed launched an investigation. The Ontario Metis and Aboriginal Association has been a haven for patronage, cronyism and grossly irresponsible spending. The real losers in this scenario are the aboriginal pe

First Nations Elections Act  . The alternative is to modernize the most damaging provisions of the Indian Act. This could be achieved not by updating the Indian Act itself but by equipping first nations with new tools and mechanisms to manage their affairs. That is how we could creation conditions that enable sustainable

Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act   with the bands that Indian Affairs records show they were connected to in the past through their fathers or husbands. Many women now apply for membership in their husband's band. On breakdown of the marriage, women can encounter difficulties resuming their affiliation with the band they were

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS COMMITTEES   and that was referred to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. That is what I will be addressing in my remarks today. I am going to speak briefly, to allow for some questions. There are currently 240 first nations that are under the Indian Act when it comes

Indian Act Amendment and Replacement Act   the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development to report annually to the aboriginal affairs committee on actions taken to replace the Indian Act. What would have been preferable in such a bill, and I would think first nations would agree, is that the report should

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, press reports in B.C. are saying the predictable thing: British Columbians should expect a long, hot summer of blockades, quoting Shuswap band leader Ken Dennis. Mr. Dennis says blockades will continue because they work-surprise, surprise. Now we have professional c

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, the member for Prince Albert was adopted by binding aboriginal ceremony into the Bird family of the Montreal Lake Band in a powwow about two years ago. Roy Bird, the chief of the band, is an important player in this family. The member for Prince Albert has been co-op

Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act   small businesses. Most recently, the Cree of Eeyou Istchee have engaged in ongoing consultations with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, embraced genuine partnership with the Government of Canada, and co-signed the 2008 new relationship agreement document

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, it would be refreshing to have the minister stop attacking the Reform Party every time he is asked a question. He could start being a professional manager. The minister has given conflicting reports as to when he knew about the overcutting at Stoney Reserve. Did he

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, the timber removed from the reserve in the last 12 months conservatively exceeds $35 million. The minister's department knew logging at Stoney Reserve exceeded the permits last April, one year ago. Can the minister tell the House who is liable for these lost revenue