“Does the member think we need an office to make sure the government follows modern treaties, or does he think we need no oversight at all?”

“Madam Speaker, I congratulate my colleague on his speech. Does he not think that having a commissioner or an office to monitor progress and the government’s compliance with modern treaties might be a good thing, or does he believe that there should be absolutely no mechanism in place to monitor compliance with modern treaties?”

“We need this bill because past governments failed to follow through on treaties with First Nations. I want to know if the government will actually listen to this new commissioner. How will my colleague make sure ministers follow the commissioner's recommendations?”

“Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Saint‑Boniface—Saint-Vital for her speech. Having served with her on the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs, I find her presence reassuring. She is all about conciliation and listening, which are so important in the relationship with first nations. However, the reason this bill exists today is that, for decades, governments failed to carry out the follow-up required by modern treaties and expected by the first nations who signed agreements with the government. That is how we have gotten to this point decades later. I want to commend the Land Claims Agreement Coalition for its leadership. It championed these claims and helped to co-develop this bill. Ultimately, this bill exists is because the follow-up measures were not carried out. As a member of the government, will my colleague ensure that action is taken on the recommendations that the commissioner will submit? How can we ensure that the government and the ministers responsible will take the data and recommendations set out in these reports seriously, as it does the recommendations of the Auditor General or the Parliamentary Budget Officer? What responsibility does she intend to take internally to ensure that the government complies with these recommendations?”

“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?”

“Other commissioners tell us they can only make recommendations, not enforce them. We should give this new commissioner the power to force people to follow the rules.”

“Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate my colleague as well. I see that it is much easier for our interpreters to interpret from French to English, because my colleague speaks English very quickly. I also want to wish everyone, including my colleague, a good start to the session. My question is this: Considering that no such commissioner position existed and that all of our commissioners tell us at our meetings that they lack sufficient enforcement powers and can do nothing but make recommendations, why not take this opportunity to create a commissioner position ourselves, and lead by example by introducing more coercive measures?”