David Krutko

Thank you. General comments in regards to Tabled Document 4-16(5). Mr. Bromley.

To the motion.

Mr. Speaker, that’s the fear I have, is that they’re simply going to pay a visit. For me, that’s not consultation. I think there have been court cases in Canada, especially the Delgamuukw decision, there was also a court case here in the Northwest Territories in regard to the Mackenzie Valley Resources Act in regard to the people of Kakisa who took the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Review Board to court on the basis that they basically weren’t fully consulted. I think that we have to ensure that we do everything to protect the rights of those people, not only with land claims but also without...

Mrs. Groenewegen, what is the wish of the committee?

To the motion. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in regards to my Member’s statement, I talked about the regulatory process and the affect it has on land claims agreements. So my questions are probably better directed to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, the Premier.

Mr. Speaker, under the McCrank report, page 14, which talks about any fundamental restructuring in regards to the agreement, all the parties to comprehensive land claims agreements, comprehensive land claims agreements are constitutionally protected and any amendments without the effective parties being in the agreement cannot be amended...

Question has been called.

---Carried

Does committee agree that we have concluded Committee Report 2-16(5)?

Are you making a motion, Mr. Hawkins?

Mr. Speaker, again, the aboriginal organizations want to ensure that they’re protecting the rights and their abilities that are recognized through the land claims agreements.

Mr. Speaker, Section 35 of the Canadian Constitutional specifically...(inaudible)...states that basically nothing by way of legislation changes can affect the land claim agreements. The rights are entrenched in those agreements and must be protected, upheld, and also the federal government has a fiduciary obligation to protect aboriginal rights and land claims agreements in regard to Section 35.

Mr. Speaker, I will be...

Question has been called.

---Carried

Mr. Hawkins.