Discussion · Government Orders
Sébastien Lemire Bloc Québécois
“Modern treaties and self-government help Indigenous communities grow and succeed, just like they did for the Cree. I want to know what comes next. Can other groups, like the Wendat or Anishinabe, also get modern treaties and take power back from Ottawa?”
“Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Québec Centre for his speech and his awareness. It is clear that he has done his research. In the current context, I want to ask him a question. I think we see the need for a commissioner position and what it can bring, but what comes next for indigenous nations? We can all agree that there are benefits that come with a modern treaty. We see how the Cree people of Quebec, who were the first to benefit from a modern treaty, were able to ensure significant economic and social development. I visited Chisasibi this summer, and I saw the prosperity that self-governance and modern treaties can bring. Still, what comes next? Could the Wendat or Anishinabe also have access to a modern treaty and a decentralization of powers from Ottawa, as well as recognition of their autonomy? What are the next steps?”
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Québec Centre for his speech and his awareness. It is clear that he has done his research. In the current context, I want to ask him a question. I think we see the need for a commissioner position and what it can bring, but what comes next for indigenous nations? We can all agree that there are benefits that come with a modern treaty. We see how the Cree people of Quebec, who were the first to benefit from a modern treaty, were able to ensure significant economic and social development. I visited Chisasibi this summer, and I saw the prosperity that self-governance and modern treaties can bring. Still, what comes next? Could the Wendat or Anishinabe also have access to a modern treaty and a decentralization of powers from Ottawa, as well as recognition of their autonomy? What are the next steps?