CANADA House of Commons Debates VOLUME 141 Ï NUMBER 045 Ï 1st SESSION Ï 39th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Wednesday, June 21, 2006 (Part A) Speaker: The Honourable Peter Milliken CONTENTS (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) All parliamentary publications are available on the ``Parliamentary Internet Parlementaire´´ at the following address: http://www.parl.gc.ca 2717 HOUSE OF COMMONS Wednesday, June 21, 2006 The House met at 2 p.m. Today I would like to recognize the tremendous contributions made by the people of the Kenora riding. I would like to recognize Grand Chief Arnold Gardner for his tireless work on behalf of the Treaty 3 communities. He continues to highlight the obstacles that Prayers his people face to achieve equal standing in our community. He is a dedicated and well-respected leader. Ï (1400) I would also like to recognize Grand Chief Stan Beardy, who [English] represents communities within Treaty 9 that have particular The Speaker: As is our practice on Wednesday we will now sing challenges with remoteness. He has fought to have their voices O Canada, and we will be led by the hon. member for Kitchener heard in Ottawa and he has persevered to achieve the results for his Centre. people. [Members sang the national anthem] I have been fortunate to have their guidance and, as such, I have gained a greater understanding of what we as a nation must strive for: respect, trust and above all equality. STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS I represent members of 41 first nations and Métis communities, [English] and I would like to offer my best wishes for their celebrations. ROV TECHNOLOGY Mr. Russ Hiebert (South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, *** CPC): Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to commend the White Rock ROV Chix. This group of enterprising young ladies built a [Translation] remote operated vehicle to compete in the marine advanced technology competition in Seattle in May. Their hard work and MULTINA ingenuity paid off as they took first prize in the Pacific Northwest regional competition. The team of Madeleine Gawthrop, Lindsey Ms. Pauline Picard (Drummond, BQ): Mr. Speaker, today I Gorman, Caroline Dearden, Rebekah Pickard and Jessica O'Sullivan would like to pay tribute to a large company in the riding of beat eight other teams. Drummond. Multina specializes in manufacturing seats for recrea- tional vehicles, components for public transit vehicles, and foam and The Chix now have the honour of representing their region at the composite products. world championships being held in Houston, Texas, at the NASA space center. These home-schoolers demonstrated innovation and A recent KPMG/Ipsos Reid survey of 250 of Canada's most rugged determination and stand as fine examples to all young visible business leaders showed that Multina is among Quebec's Canadians. most respected businesses. I would also like to congratulate the White Rock Heritage Christian School team of Peter Zielke, Guido Worthman, Kye Seo In addition, the company received an industry achievement award Hwang and Matthew Stevens for its impressive third place finish. from the Réseau industriel Drummond for its contribution to the region's economic development. All the best to the Chix in Houston. We are rooting for them. *** Multina is a marvellous example of how dynamic businesses in the Drummond riding can be, and I am proud to have the opportunity NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY to talk about it today. Mr. Roger Valley (Kenora, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, National Aboriginal Day is a day that Canadians celebrate the contributions Congratulations to the company, its management team and all of of first nations, Métis and Inuit Canadians. its employees on their excellent work. 2718 COMMONS DEBATES June 21, 2006 Statements by Members [English] NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY Ms. Nancy Karetak-Lindell (Nunavut, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, Ms. Penny Priddy (Surrey North, NDP): Mr. Speaker, today we today is the 10th anniversary of National Aboriginal Day, a day honour 10 years of celebrating National Aboriginal Day in this when Canadians from sea to sea to sea celebrate the culture and country and celebrating aboriginal people. achievements of Canada's aboriginal people: Inuit, first nations and Métis. Yesterday the government announced the appointment of Wendy Grant-John, a special representative for the Minister of Indian As I look back and see how far Nunavut has come since April 1, Affairs and Northern Development. That is a positive message to 1999, I am so proud of my territory and the people. first nations. However, it is imperative that the federal government act on the Ms. Grant-John has been a strong voice for aboriginal people and Berger report regarding the Nunavut land claim implementation and particularly for women. Aboriginal women have made progress in the Kelowna accord. our country, but there is a very long way to go. The federal government must act on the housing crisis facing Inuit The Government of Canada has a role to play. Aboriginal women as well as health and education issues. By not doing so, Canada fails are still disproportionately victims of spousal abuse. Far more than in its very real obligations to Inuit and puts the honour of the Crown many women in other parts of the country, women of all ages in the at stake. The failure to act by the federal government fails not only aboriginal community live below the poverty line. Inuit but all Canadians. They are forced to raise their families in crowded homes and I wish all Canadians a very happy National Aboriginal Day, a unsafe conditions, often as many as 21 people in one house. They wonderful Canada Day, and a safe and enjoyable summer. lack even the basics, like safe drinking water. Aboriginal people are owed the resources and capacity for women *** to raise families in safe, healthy environments, and to take their place NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY at the decision making tables. Canada's New Democrats will stand beside aboriginal people in their struggle for equality. Mr. Rod Bruinooge (Winnipeg South, CPC): Mr. Speaker, aboriginal people have played vital roles in the defence, economic *** prosperity, and the cultural richness of our nation, both before and Ï (1405) after Confederation. NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY As fur trade partners aboriginal Canadians helped build Canada's Mr. James Lunney (Nanaimo—Alberni, CPC): Mr. Speaker, first economic engine in Montreal and helped generate the wealth today marks Canada's 10th National Aboriginal Day. From sea to that led to the establishment of Canada's first bank. sea, from north to south, many celebrations are underway. All Canadians should be proud of their accomplishments and Right here in the nation's capital, there is a gathering of some 300 acknowledge how important they remain to the economic, social and first nations, Inuit and Métis, pastors, leaders and community cultural well-being of Canada's future. members. The First People's Summit is an assembly of leaders who desire to see the spiritual well-being and the moral integrity of Today is June 21, the summer solstice, a day aboriginal people Canada preserved, enhanced and promoted. have long celebrated. It is also the 10th anniversary of its official designation as National Aboriginal Day. These original and host people are praying for and working quietly with determination to see progress in biblically based I encourage all Canadians to participate in activities taking place reconciliation. Their desire is to see healing and unity in Canada this day from sea to sea to sea in celebration of the important place between all people, nations, churches and governments, and to aboriginal people hold within the fabric of our society and of this cultivate true peace and prosperity throughout our land. land. Today representatives from first nations, Inuit and Métis Let us share in the celebration. communities will sign a historic document entitled the “Covenant of the First Peoples of Canada”. *** Inscribed on the Peace Tower are the words, “Where there is no [Translation] vision, the people perish”. QUEBEC FILM INDUSTRY I wish to draw this event to the attention of all members and commend the participants in this historic gathering for their vision Mr. Maka Kotto (Saint-Lambert, BQ): Mr. Speaker, in 1996 the and commitment to bring blessing, reconciliation and spiritual federal government created the Canadian Television Fund to provide renewal to Canada. It is National Aboriginal Day. We have a reason financial assistance to the television and feature film industry and to to celebrate. support production in Canada and Quebec. June 21, 2006 COMMONS DEBATES 2719 Statements by Members On the heels of unprecedented growth in the film industry in historic Kelowna accord that was reached last fall between our Quebec within Canada, the federal government slashed the fund. In aboriginal people and 14 governments across Canada. 2005, it was cut by $37 million despite its recognized importance and effectiveness. Unfortunately, this Conservative government and the current Prime Minister have chosen to turn their backs on the first nations by In light of the fact that its performance has exceeded all failing to uphold the Kelowna accord. expectations, it is vital that Quebec receive its fair share of the funds allocated to the industry. The Minister of Canadian Heritage The former Prime Minister, the right hon. member for LaSalle— and Status of Women must ensure this and take action to increase the Émard, has taken the unprecedented step of introducing a private limits on funds available to francophones. member's bill in this House in order to keep hope alive for our aboriginal people. The Kelowna accord is a comprehensive 10 year The Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women is $5.1 billion plan to achieve a clear set of goals and targets.