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Indigenous Affairs

During Question Period on Indigenous Affairs, Conservatives asked about consultation with First Nations on the Pacific Link pipeline. Ellis Ross asked whether the government would require consent from all 129 First Nations along the route, saying different promises had been made to different nations. Billy Morin said photo opportunities with chiefs are not real consultation, and cited the AFN national chief’s criticism of the government’s Major Projects Office. Jaime Battiste, responding for the Liberals, said Indigenous rights are not an obstacle to building Canada but part of its foundation, that more than 130 Indigenous communities in Alberta and B.C. had been consulted, and that the government pursues economic reconciliation, including Indigenous ownership stakes and meaningful participation in major projects.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

8 statements

Ellis Ross

Conservative
“The Prime Minister says he wants to rush this pipeline, but he also promised First Nations they would decide if it gets built. Will he approve it if even one of the 129 First Nations along the route says no?”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, the Prime Minister says he wants to fast-track the Pacific link pipeline while promising first nations that they will decide if the project goes ahead. Our representative at the B.C. First Nations Leadership Council said the Prime Minister assured them that we will get consent. Will the Prime Minister approve the pipeline, even if just one of the 129-plus first nations along the pipeline route does not provide consent?

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Jaime Battiste

Liberal
“Indigenous rights do not block Canadian projects. We have consulted more than 130 Indigenous communities in Alberta and B.C. about this pipeline, and we will make accommodations where needed. We will keep consulting and respecting Indigenous rights.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 45 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 26 of 100

    Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, indigenous rights are not an obstacle to building Canada strong. They are part of the foundation on which we will build it. As part of our duty to consult, we heard directly from more than 130 indigenous communities across Alberta and B.C. Where appropriate, accommodations will be made. Further consultations will inform conditions for Pacific link guided by UNDRIP and anchored in the principle of free, prior and informed consent. We will always respect the rights of indigenous people.

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Ellis Ross

Conservative
“The Prime Minister rushed the Pacific link project with only two months of talks, and made different promises to different First Nations. I want him to answer whether he will require agreement from all 129 First Nations before he approves the pipeline.”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, this is exactly what the Prime Minister claimed, that he provided full, meaningful consultation with indigenous peoples, and he has made different promises to different First Nations. Is he seeking consensus or following UNDRIP commitments while fast-tracking the Pacific link major project designation with only two months of consultation? Will the Prime Minister only approve the pipeline if all the 129-plus nations provide consent?

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Jaime Battiste

Liberal
“We will keep working with Indigenous communities. We want them to have real partnerships, a real voice, and an ownership stake as we build projects together.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 46 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 0 of 100

    Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, we will continue to work with indigenous communities across Canada, and as part of the work moving forward to ensure that we get these projects over time, the key criteria in this is to ensure that we advance indigenous interests with meaningful participation, meaningful equity and meaningful partnership. We are going to continue to build with first nations communities, and we are going to continue to ensure that we are all moving forward together.

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Billy Morin

Conservative
“We need to build this pipeline, but the Prime Minister is only using First Nations chiefs for photo ops. Photo ops are not real consultation. Why is the Prime Minister risking this major project just for good publicity?”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, let us see if we can make it three for three with the same answer. Last week, the Prime Minister smiled for another photo op with chiefs to announce a new pipeline. Conservatives know we need to unlock our resources and get this pipeline built, but announcements are not results, photo ops are not consultation and Liberals’ claiming relationships with chiefs and councils does not make it real. Chief Trevor Mercredi said that using first nation leaders in press conferences does not mean a vote of confidence. Why is the Prime Minister putting crucial major projects in jeopardy by using first nation chiefs as photo ops?

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Jaime Battiste

Liberal
“Indigenous rights do not get in the way of building Canada. They are an important part of it. Our government respects Indigenous rights and will keep working and consulting with Indigenous people.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, let me reiterate what we are saying on this side of the board. Indigenous rights are not an obstacle for building Canada strong; they are part of the foundation on which we will build it. We will continue to work with first nations communities. We will continue to work with indigenous people. On this side of the House, we respect constitutional rights and we respect consultation. We will continue to do so.

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Billy Morin

Conservative
“Indigenous leaders say the government's Major Projects Office does not know what it is doing and refuses to meet with them. Treaty rights cannot be ignored. Why did the Prime Minister create this office if it just disrespects chiefs and hides his failures to build big projects?”

  • Opposition question in Question Period

    Respect 71 of 100

    This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “why did the Prime Minister create a Major Projects Office just to disrespect chiefs and cover his failures”.

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Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, here is another opportunity for something new. Treaty chiefs are not the only ones calling out the Liberal government. The AFN national chief that said that those at the Major Projects Office “don’t know what they are doing when it comes to First Nations” and that it is a pattern for this government and its MPO CEOs to act like they are too good to meet with chiefs. The truth is that treaty rights do not disappear when they become inconvenient for Liberals. Chiefs are tired of the announcements and photo ops, so why did the Prime Minister create a Major Projects Office just to disrespect chiefs and cover his failures on building major projects in this country?

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Jaime Battiste

Liberal
“Our government believes in economic reconciliation. That means major national projects must include Indigenous people as real partners who share in the work and the profits.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 45 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 25 of 100

    Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, on this side of the House we believe in economic reconciliation. That means, when we are advancing projects that are important to this country, that we ensure we are advancing indigenous interests, which means, and I will say it again for the other side so they hear it loud and clear, we are making sure it is meaningful partnership, meaningful equity and meaningful participation in all projects moving forward. Indigenous communities will build together with the government.

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