Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour of presenting my first petition, petition e-6909, which has approximately 13,000 signatures. The petitioners call on the government to protect the records and testimony of residential school survivors. I know there is some ambiguity with respect to these records. There is a conversation still happening in Canada. Ultimately, reconciliation is most important when we t…
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Mr. Speaker, the AFN exposed that the last decade of Liberal housing strategy has left first nations 157,000 homes short. Given that Build Canada Homes plans to build only 5,000 homes annually, by what year will the Liberals build 157,000 homes needed for first nations? I would like to know just the year.
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Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government has been good at announcing programs, dollars and funds, but it is really blank on the details. I am wondering if the minister knows what codes are on the first nations themselves and if he is going to invest from the public purse into first nation homes. There is a shortage of 157,000 homes, and the national building codes and provincial codes do not apply on f…
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Mr. Speaker, in 2020, the Liberals told chiefs they would make first nations policing an essential service, with new legislation and expanded service and number of communities served. Six years later, nothing has been done, and we hear every week from first nations of how their people are dying because of these broken promises when it comes to safety. On what date will the Liberals table that poli…
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Mr. Speaker, the Older, Bolder, Better event, Alberta's largest Seniors' Week event, was recently hosted by the WE Seniors at my home of Enoch Cree Nation's River Cree Resort. I am proud that the Westend Seniors Activity Centre, which is the gathering place for thousands of Edmonton seniors, is located in my community of Edmonton Northwest. Congratulations to the CEO, Dr. Haidong Liang, and his wh…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague across the way for her advocacy. She mentioned the infrastructure needed even before we build homes, for things like water. I note that the Liberals have 11 years of broken promises when it comes to the promises they made about indigenous water, in addition to breaking their promise in this Parliament on water legislation two times. Let us grant them leniency…
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Madam Speaker, the AFN estimates that there are 157,000 new homes needed to address the severe housing crisis on first nation reserves in addition to the 81,000 existing units needing major renovations. The minister announced some indigenous incentives in this, but the numbers add up to about 3,400 homes across 600‑plus first nations. Can the minister address more systematic fixes when it comes to…
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Mr. Speaker, my colleague from Quebec was talking about equitability in how this is applied. I have heard that question throughout the House today, and I find it perplexing that the excuse being used not to do this is the Brookfield class. The rich people across this country are hindering getting things done for the majority of Canadians who are feeling this pinch at the pumps and with respect to …
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No, Mr. Speaker, I would not agree. Why would we be having this conversation in the first place? It has been the same government for the last 11 years trying the same old things that it has always done. I believe that is insanity, at the end of the day. I would encourage that member to go back to the principles that brought her to the House.
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Mr. Speaker, I would be honoured to share my time with the member for London—Fanshawe. Today residents in Edmonton Northwest are feeling the increasing pressure of unaffordability. Yes, there is global uncertainty, but global uncertainty is not an excuse to delay implementing the necessary relief Canadians need today. As the PM rhetorically says, “We need to focus on what we can control,” and what…
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Mr. Speaker, this is about Canada, whether it is the east coast, the northern reaches of our country, the west coast or where I am from, in Edmonton, Alberta. He is from Ontario. In Alberta, I heard the same thing. Last week, doing town halls and going to the Westend Seniors Activity Centre, I heard from seniors that they are picking and choosing when to go see their grandkids, when to get out of …
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Mr. Speaker, I have to have humility. I am not a lawyer, so I stand to read what lawyers say in this regard, but I thank the member for his point. That is my understanding of it as well. I hope the Liberals have more humility too. They admit that they got things wrong and things are not going in the right direction. They should not dismiss people's fears, because this is a real issue that British …
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Mr. Speaker, that is the fear. It is disappointing when the Liberals deny Canadians' fear. That is a real emotion, at the end of the day. Quebec or any other province needs to take a look at what is going on in B.C., because there is an aspect of federalism. First nations are in section 35, so this has federal implications. For Quebeckers and the people of the Wendat, there are mechanisms to work …
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Mr. Speaker, I have been here as a first-term member of Parliament for one year. Canadians were hoping for something different, but they got more of the same: just more Liberal rhetoric. For my communities, it is really disappointing for me to say that the Liberals really have cheapened reconciliation to a political talking point. It is reconciliation rhetoric now. As much as the Prime Minister sa…
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Mr. Speaker, why is it that when Albertans feel frustrated and feel that they are being held from reaching their full potential to share their energy with Canada and the rest of the world, there is a Liberal government in Ottawa? Why is it that Alberta's separatism is at an all-time high today, and there is a Liberal government in Ottawa? Why is it that throughout history when a Quebec separation …
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Mr. Speaker, Brian Kingston, president of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association, took a moment to say, “There’s clearly a disconnect between statements and implementation. The longer this goes on, with no resolution on US tariffs, it will have real implications for investments in this country.” The only thing the Liberals have invested in is more costly bureaucracy. They are using Canadia…
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Mr. Speaker, everyday Canadians do not have time to worry about what the G7 or IMF says. At this moment in time, we have record high unemployment for youth. At this moment in time, we have record lineups at food banks. At this moment in time, Liberals want to waste $1 billion on a gun grab that nobody wants. At this moment in time, Canadians have the highest household debt at over $3 trillion. At …
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Mr. Speaker, there are some good things about the bill, and there are some things that I think are a little too ambiguous. The first thing is that it would bring a level of certainty and new definitions to the section 35 rights of the Manitoba Métis Federation and the Red River Métis people. That is a very good thing because certainty, at the end of the day, is good for investors, good for busines…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister for all her hard work on the file. It is a very difficult file on which to find the balance and everything. I will say, though, that debate on every aspect is very important. To be very blunt, I have heard from first nations in the last 48 hours that have serious concerns. Every level of debate is important, but I do anticipate that the bill will move to committee…
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Mr. Speaker, yes, I am first nation. I am a former chief from the Enoch Cree Nation. That is where my roots come from, but I also have Métis roots, to be frank. I have a Métis grandfather. It is very difficult as a member of Parliament to balance all the hats we wear and to be a Canadian, a member of Parliament, who represents everybody else beyond the distinction of indigenous peoples. This bill …
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Mr. Speaker, I agree that getting it to standing committee would be a good thing because those voices who felt they had been left out of the government processes in the lead up to this bill would have their opportunity to be heard. It is very important that we get there. I also want to, again, acknowledge the inconsistencies when it comes to engaging those voices in consultation with the Liberal g…
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Mr. Speaker, there is language that attempts to create safeguards amongst jurisdictions. As mentioned in my speech, there is language in this treaty that acknowledges that there are other distinct collectivities and groups. Given some of the precedent that has been set, I am certainly aware that the Canadian Energy Regulator is doing consultations with the Manitoba Métis Federation and arguably th…
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Mr. Speaker, I think we have to go back to basics. Too often when it comes to indigenous relations, Inuit, Métis, and first nations alike, a lot of things are complicated. They are vastly complicated. This is a nation of many Inuit communities, many Métis communities and 600-plus recognized first nations across the country, so it is a very complex process when we are negotiating new modern treatie…
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Mr. Speaker, currently, in 2026, as of today, I see a real concern when it comes to property rights and, in the bigger picture, when it comes to reconciliation. I would like to see some consideration of the Canadian-Métis relationship, every other Canadian considered in this and a protection of property rights, quite frankly.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the minister for bringing this forward. Certainly, we see self-determination on behalf of any indigenous community, any Métis community included, as being a good thing. The minister ended her last comments by talking about registration and identifying as a part of that community and that nation. The Liberal government took a different approach when it came to consultat…
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Mr. Speaker, currently, the Canada Energy Regulator has confirmed that the Manitoba Métis Federation does some level of consultation in northern B.C. for major projects on the environmental effects of traditional section 35 rights. Should one day the Métis be in Quebec and want to acknowledge section 35 rights there, would my colleague from the Bloc Québécois be okay with that level of new jurisdi…
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Mr. Speaker, I am honoured today to rise and speak to this bill on the Red River Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Treaty. I want to begin with respect for the Manitoba Métis Federation. The work we discussed today did not appear overnight. It reflects decades of organizing, advocacy, negotiations and constitutional work done by the Manitoba Métis Federation and the Red River Mé…
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Madam Speaker, I rise to support Bill C-236, or McCann's law. I want to thank my hon. colleague from Parkland for his relentless work in the mission for justice and closure and his support for those victims and their families who have not received a proper burial, which is something that all humans deserve. I acknowledge the spirit of Lyle and Marie McCann, their family and their never-ending jour…
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Mr. Speaker, ultimately, the original version of the bill is Bill C-38 through the Nicholas decision, and it affects primarily the Michel band in particular, of over 3,000 people approximately. I think the Liberals are phrasing this as one or the other. We can have both, and we can make history today. The government has traditionally gone through litigation to change the Indian Act. This time it c…
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Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives support the amendments made by the Senate.
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Mr. Speaker, since I have come here as a new member of Parliament, I have witnessed ISC over the last number of years go from 4,000 to 8,000 employees. I have seen ISC programs double and the results for first nations and indigenous peoples come down. Can the member reflect on how focusing on empowerment through root causes is better than focusing on expanding budgets for government bureaucracy an…
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Mr. Speaker, I chose to come to Ottawa to do right by my constituents, to do right by our country and all its people as defined by Treaty No. 6, and to do right by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms for all Canadians, including Canada's first nations people. Bill S-2 would bring justice to first nations people by helping to end discrimination, discrimination that primarily affects first nations wo…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for her speech and acknowledge the history that she spoke about and the history that she personally represents. I am very proud to see that happen in my lifetime. In this House, we have legislation that affects first nations on multiple issues. Earlier in this Parliament, we talked about things like Bill C-5. We debated an Alberta MOU. At that time, first nat…
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Mr. Speaker, just yesterday I was proud to sit in the House and witness my Conservative colleague from Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes be supported with the unanimous consent of all parties to amend the Criminal Code to end coerced and forced sterilization, which unfortunately disproportionately affects indigenous women and girls. It was a powerful moment between all parties that will bring justice and …
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Mr. Speaker, ultimately, as I said, the decisions and the destiny of first nations and indigenous people lie in their own communities. I agree with that principle, but I also think that this is a delay tactic from the Liberals. Quite frankly, it is not consistent with their position when it came to not consulting on Bill C-5 and on Alberta's MOU. Right now, I think that first nations have that opp…
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Mr. Speaker, ultimately, the Indian Act needs to be dispelled, but it is first nations that have to be the primary driver of that. I agree with my colleague in that regard. For this legislation, I accept the amendments the Senate made. Again, we cannot let perfect get in the way of progress. The Indian Act is still going to be generations and decades ahead at different paces for first nations comm…
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Mr. Speaker, Indigenous Services covers Inuit, Métis and first nations, in particular. It is my understanding that Inuit people have no second-generation cut-off rule and Métis people have no second-generation cut-off rule, but first nations do. Could the member reflect on the injustices under that ministry and how that definition cannot continue to go forward?
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Mr. Speaker, I am wondering if my colleague can reflect on a report that came out today that says one in four Canadians now works for government, whether that be the federal government, provincial governments, municipal governments or the public service. The member reflected upon the middle class getting weaker. While the government is bloating up and expending, none of these dollars seems to reac…
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding work of Chrysalis, an Alberta society for citizens with disabilities located in my riding of Edmonton Northwest. Chrysalis demonstrates a principle Albertans strongly believe in, which is that dignity is found in work, contribution and self-reliance. For nearly 60 years, Chrysalis has empowered thousands of people with disabilities to pursue m…
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Mr. Speaker, despite the Prime Minister announcing that China will reduce tariffs on canola by March 1, reports say the Chinese commerce ministry revealed that it only committed to making a decision by March 9. What kind of master negotiator is the Prime Minister when he refuses to acknowledge that the deals he promised with China and the U.S. are falling through? Canadian farmers are looking for …
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Madam Speaker, in Edmonton Northwest, too many warehouses, retail spaces and industrial yards sit empty as Canadians wait for the economy to get better. Stats Canada confirmed that Canada lost 25,000 jobs last month. However, one great organization in my riding is a champion for change. Tribal Chiefs Employment and Training Services, led by executive director Eva John-Gladue, has been a great exam…
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Mr. Speaker, The International Monetary Fund reported today that Canada can grow GDP by 7%, $200 billion, by removing internal trade barriers that act like a 9% tariff. Photo-op MOU speeches and pizza parlour visits with premiers have not reduced interprovincial trade barriers. The Prime Minister's rhetoric does not match reality, and life is becoming less affordable for everyday Canadians. Will t…
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Madam Speaker, certainly we did hear from the chiefs, and they do have concerns, but they are concerns with the government and its failed consultation processes, which I think the Liberal government in the last 10 years has shown. The other thing is that of course we do agree with the wording; it is right in our motion about consent with indigenous nations. We are not backing away from consultatio…
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Madam Speaker, I am honoured to share my time with the member for Battle River—Crowfoot. How did we get here, to a point where Canada, a nation blessed with some of the world's most ethical oil and hardest-working people, cannot even get a pipeline within our own borders built without years of political trench warfare? For years the Liberal government has fuelled a culture war against Alberta and …
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Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is talking out of both sides of his mouth on pipelines and tanker bans. Behind closed doors, he whispers to the Liberal “keep it in the ground“ caucus that the pipeline will never be built, while signing an MOU to build one for Canadians. The Liberals say they are for a tanker ban, but then the Prime Minister promised to override it in the MOU. The Prime Minister pr…
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Madam Speaker, we do not. There is Canadian law, and there are treaties that have been signed, but I think, again, that Liberals typically play games with these to pit one region or people against another. Canadians and first nations people, indigenous people, are tired of this. When I was a kid, we used to do drumming in our classroom. We used to do singing in our classroom. We were taught our la…
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Madam Speaker, does the Prime Minister even have control of his caucus anymore? Conservatives will keep fighting to boost Canadian paycheques and make energy, food and homes affordable and our economy self-reliant, secure and sovereign. Where is the respect for people who want opportunity, for those who sign equity agreements on pipelines, and for the first nations that drilled, engineered, built …
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Madam Speaker, I hear the concerns. I hear the concerns of first nations that have environmental concerns. That is totally fair. Again, we are for consultation, as per the wording of the motion, 100%. However, we also believe in Canadians who do environmental protection, the scientists and the technologists who have been proven time and time again. TMX has had no spill since operation. Now we have…
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Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister disrespected chiefs by shutting them out of the MOU consultations and discussions with Alberta. The Prime Minister talked down to first nation chiefs yesterday at AFN for 20 minutes about not breaking trust. Then he completely ignored all questions from Alberta first nations. The Prime Minister is breaking trust with first nations, investors, Albertans, British Colu…
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Mr. Speaker, it has been eight months since the Prime Minister was elected, claiming he would build nation-building projects at speeds not seen in generations. Now we have learned that he has not even started consultations. He could have started these within weeks of the last election, given the existential crisis that he claimed. The Prime Minister's incoming heritage minister said that consultat…
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