Government Orders
moved that a ways and means motion to introduce a bill entitled an act to give effect to the Final Self-Government Agreement for the Tlegohli Got’ine and to make consequential amendments to other acts be concurred in.
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moved for leave to introduce Bill C-27, an act to give effect to the Final Self-Government Agreement for the Tlegohli Got’ine and to make consequential amendments to other acts. (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
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moved: That a message be sent to the Senate to acquaint Their Honours that, in relation to Bill C-12, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada's borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures, the House: proposes that amendment 2 made by the Senate be amended by replacing the text of paragraph 75.1(3)(c) with…
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Mr. Speaker, for decades, communities across the Northwest Territories have been clear: The Mackenzie Valley Highway is essential for their future. This project would finally connect remote communities, lower the cost of goods, unlock critical minerals and create real opportunities for local businesses. We are also advancing the Taltson hydroelectric project and the Arctic economic and security co…
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Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 83(1), I would like to table, in both official languages, a notice of ways and means motion for a bill, entitled “An Act to give effect to the Red River Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Treaty and to make consequential amendments to other Acts” . Pursuant to Standing Order 83(2), I would like to request that an order of the day be desig…
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Mr. Speaker, yes, we will continue to work collaboratively with all parties to uphold the principles of reconciliation, transparency and legal responsibility. We remain available for dialogue with all parties involved; that includes British Columbia, the City of Richmond, Musqueam Indian Band and Tsawwassen First Nation, as well as the Quw’utsun.
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Mr. Speaker, the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls is unacceptable, and our government is taking concrete action. Through the national action plan and the federal pathway, we are funding new shelters and safe spaces, supporting indigenous-led safety programs, improving policing standards and advancing culturally grounded services for families and survivors. We know progress…
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Mr. Speaker, budget 2025 proposes important updates to the First Nations Fiscal Management Act that will enable the First Nations Finance Authority to lend to special-purpose vehicles. For indigenous communities, this makes it easier for multiple nations to work together, borrow as a group and lower administrative costs. It also provides access to better borrowing rates and more opportunities to t…
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Mr. Speaker, our relationship with our partners, first nations, Métis, and Inuit rights holders is of utmost importance. With major projects, consultation and the duty to accommodate will be adhered to. There are no major projects before us right now; there is just an MOU. It is the process that is outlining the conditions to be met. Major projects will require the duty to consult.
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Mr. Speaker, all major projects require the duty to consult and, if appropriate, accommodation. The projects, as they move forward, require that consultation, and that is what we will do.
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Mr. Speaker, Canada disagrees with the B.C. Supreme Court's ruling and appealed it on September 8. We are reviewing potential legal arguments, and all options are on the table. Further legal clarity is required to address the decision, particularly relating to private property rights. We will continue to work collaboratively with all parties to uphold the principles of reconciliation, transparency…
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Mr. Speaker, as I have mentioned multiple times in question period today, as well as in past question periods, our government disagrees with the B.C. Supreme Court decision and we are appealing it. We are reviewing all options. As this case is before the courts, I will not comment any further.
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Mr. Speaker, our government disagrees with the B.C. Supreme Court's decision and appealed the decision alongside the Government of British Columbia, the City of Richmond, the Musqueam, the Tsawwassen and the Cowichan. We absolutely understand the concerns of residents, which is why we have taken this step. We are reviewing potential legal arguments. All arguments and all options are on the table. …
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Mr. Speaker, all major projects will only proceed after meaningful consultation with indigenous rights holders. We cannot and will not move forward at the expense of indigenous rights. Budget 2025 invests $10.1 million in the federal initiative on consultation. This includes funding for consultation protocols, which set out clear, mutually agreed processes for how communities want to be engaged, m…
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Mr. Speaker, we did make an announcement in September on this, and we remain available to work with all parties to address this matter.
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Mr. Speaker, jobs, housing and infrastructure are what the budget has, including through our investment and commitment to accelerating the additions to reserve process. In October I was in Nanaimo, celebrating with the Snuneymuxw First Nation the addition of 195 acres. With this, the first nation is looking to build a $2.3-billion mixed-use development. That means great housing for youth and for e…
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Mr. Speaker, as I just said to the other member, Canada disagrees with the B.C. Supreme Court's ruling and appealed it on September 8. We remain available for dialogue with the other parties to the litigation throughout this process.
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Mr. Speaker, Canada disagrees with the B.C. Supreme Court's ruling and appealed it on September 8. Further legal clarity is required to address the decision, particularly relating to private property rights. The Province of British Columbia, the City of Richmond, Musqueam Indian Band and Tsawwassen First Nation have also appealed. We will continue to work collaboratively with all parties to uphold…
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Mr. Speaker, this budget invests in lowering the cost of living and creating jobs, including with $2 billion for the critical minerals sovereign fund. Critical minerals are in our phones, computers, solar panels, medical equipment and more. Canada is rich in minerals, with projects in ridings held by Conservatives, the Bloc Québécois, the NDP and Liberals, including in my home, the Northwest Terri…
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Mr. Speaker, this budget is about focusing on youth. Our government is investing in youth, particularly indigenous youth, with investments such as Inuit Nunangat University, which will be a landmark step forward for education and reconciliation in Canada. It will strengthen local economies, build capacity in the north and support Inuit-led research. We hope the members opposite will support this i…
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Mr. Speaker, the government has promised to overhaul nutrition north, and work is moving ahead. We are expanding beyond retail subsidies by codeveloping support for local harvesters and community food programs. Over 5,500 harvesters have received fuel, gear and safety support, and dozens of community freezers and sharing programs are running across the north. In the Northwest Territories, a manage…
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Mr. Speaker, we are working with our partners to address the issue, and I would be happy to work with my colleagues on the other side as well.
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moved that Bill C-10, An Act respecting the Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation, be read the second time and referred to a committee. Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I want to acknowledge that we are gathered on the unceded traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people. I am honoured to rise and speak today as Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations to begin debate on my first bil…
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Mr. Speaker, I apologize for breaching the rules. We have been having discussions with all parties, and our partners have been in discussions with parties. We hope to get unanimous consent to move this bill forward.
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Mr. Speaker, the bill is about addressing the commissioner for modern treaties. It is about the responsibilities of oversight and holding the government accountable. The focus is on the commissioner ensuring transparency and accountability from the government on modern treaties. The modern treaties speak to different issues, and the commissioner would be reporting on those issues, but there is no …
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Mr. Speaker, it involved all modern treaty partners. What is important is that they have first-hand experience so they can outline the challenges and successes that are occurring in the relationships between the federal government and modern treaty partners. It was important to involve modern treaty partners. Of course, with respect to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peo…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her excellent work. Joining us today in the gallery are many of the leaders of the modern treaty partners. In discussions I had with them this morning, they mentioned the importance of passing this bill quickly so that we have the opportunity to set up the commissioner's office as soon as we can. We are aiming to get this bill through Parliament as quickly as …
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Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that the parties opposite are looking forward to supporting reconciliation and modern treaty partners. What is important in this bill is the implementation. It takes a while to negotiate land claims, self-government agreements and modern treaties, but implementation is a day in, day out, forever process. What is important in this legislation is holding the government, as …
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Mr. Speaker, this bill concerns the federal government and its obligations. It is about accountability before the House of Commons and the Senate. It is between the federal government and its modern treaty partners.
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Mr. Speaker, the legislation is important for modern treaty partners, but it is also important that the focus of our government is not just on modern treaties. This is one part of our journey of reconciliation. Another is working with all first nations, Métis and Inuit rights holders across the country to address priorities and concerns. We hear regularly in meetings from chiefs about the need for…
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moved for leave to introduce Bill C-10, An Act respecting the Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation. (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question and his great work in his riding. On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we honour the children who never returned home and stand with survivors, their families and communities living with the legacy of residential schools. In response to call to action number 80, this day was established as a federal statutory holiday in 2021. Since th…
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Mr. Speaker, we will be looking for projects that have indigenous support and, even better, indigenous equity in the projects. The legislation is about supporting projects that are not only shovel-ready but also shovel-worthy, projects that respect indigenous knowledge and uphold aboriginal and treaty rights. The legislation mandates that there must be meaningful consultation and accommodation wit…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for his hard work in his riding Honoré-Mercier. This Saturday, I am looking forward to celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day in Yellowknife at the North Slave Métis Alliance's annual community fish fry, which will also showcase entertainment and the vibrant cultures of indigenous peoples, both locally and nationally. I give my sincere thanks to the Nor…
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Mr. Speaker, these rights are affirmed by the Constitution, and the duty to consult and accommodate has been set out in a series of Supreme Court of Canada decisions. The one Canadian economy act, specifically, in both the preamble and throughout the body of the legislation, would require the government to consult with indigenous rights holders, at clauses 5(7), 7(2) and 8(3). Again, we will be co…
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Mr. Speaker, this bill requires meaningful consultation with indigenous peoples, consistent with section 35 of the Constitution and the duty to consult. It would require consultation both during the process of determining which projects are in the national interest and, most important, once a project is selected during the permitting process. Both steps would require our indigenous partners. I loo…
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Madam Speaker, I would like to inform the House that Thursday shall be an allotted day.
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Mr. Speaker, we face a major challenge that requires united efforts to advance nation-building projects, making Canada's economy stronger and one of the fastest-growing in the G7. The Crown, including the provinces and territories, must consult with indigenous people to support indigenous self-determination. This partnership fulfills legal duties and advances reconciliation. While we will not comm…
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