Ginette Lavack

Madam Speaker, my colleague has rightly pointed out that there are already mechanisms dealing directly with treaty implementation, yet our modern treaty partners have continued to identify gaps in the implementation of these treaties. They themselves at committee have been telling us, and asking us for independent oversight. Does that not suggest that the issue is not simply the number of bodies that exist, but whether there is independent accountability when governments need to act and fail to act?

Madam Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Québec Centre today. It is with gratitude and respect that I rise at the third reading of Bill C-10, the commissioner for modern treaty implementation act. This bill represents a meaningful opportunity to respond to indigenous advocacy, honour constitutional obligations and advance reconciliation in a way that is practical, measurable and grounded in partnership with modern treaty governments. Modern treaties form part of Canada's constitutional architecture. They define rights, establish shared decision-making and set out how indigenous, federal, provincial and territorial governments will work together. Modern treaties create co-management boards, regulatory pathways and clear authorities over land, water, wildlife and resources. They provide predictability for major projects. They strengthen sovereignty in the Arctic and open the door to economic opportunities for modern treaty communities and for Canada as a whole. This is what reconciliation looks like when it is lived and not only discussed. Modern treaty partners have been clear and consistent: The most important step Canada can take right now is to strengthen accountability for implementation. That is exactly what this legislation would do. The commissioner for modern treaty implementation would be an independent agent of Parliament, someone with the mandate, the expertise and the authority to keep sustained attention on this important work. Agents of Parliament provide important accountability mechanisms. When agents of Parliament issue reports, whether moderately critical or sharply consequential, departments respond, awareness increases, priorities shift and problems get fixed. That is how accountability takes root. The commissioner would bring that same dynamic to modern treaty implementation. With access to information powers comparable to those of the Auditor General, the commissioner would be able to conduct performance audits, do reviews and examine key challenges in treaty implementation. They would be able to look at individual treaties and crosscutting issues across the entire modern treaty landscape. They would be able to identify opportunities for systemic improvements, highlight best practices and recommend ways to overcome challenges. One witness at the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs offered a powerful cultural image: the traditional practice of raising a totem pole to call attention to someone who has not upheld their responsibilities. The point was visibility, ensuring that commitments are honoured. The commissioner would play a similar role by bringing clarity to where obligations are being met and where they are not, reinforcing the seriousness of Canada's commitment to modern treaty communities. This is how modern treaty implementation can improve: through clarity and accountability. Another theme that emerged clearly during the examination of the bill at INAN was the need for consistency across successive governments and federal departments and agencies. Modern treaties are long-term agreements that must endure beyond election cycles and shifting political priorities. Modern treaties are complex. They require public servants who have a strong awareness and understanding of modern treaty commitments and obligations, as well as the spirit and intent of those agreements, and the practical realities of working in partnership with indigenous governments as equals. During INAN's study of Bill C-10, Nicole Rempel from K'ómoks First Nation; Grand Chief Paul John Murdoch, Cree Nation Government; and Brianne Paulin, legal counsel, Nisga'a Lisims Government noted that inconsistent interpretations across departments remain one of the biggest barriers to effective implementation. An independent commissioner with expert knowledge could help ensure that the understanding of the spirit, intent and legal obligations of modern treaties remain consistent, even as governments change. As Canada increases its focus on issues like major projects and Arctic security, government institutions will need a deeper understanding of modern treaty rights and jurisdictions. Within the broader modern treaty landscape, the commissioner could serve as a tool to help drive greater consistency in how departments understand and act on their modern treaty obligations, including those not traditionally involved in indigenous relations. Troy Sam, the chief councillor for Kitsumkalum Band Council, noted at INAN that public reporting to Parliament changes the accountability dynamic, making implementation visible, measurable and subject to scrutiny. In this way, the commissioner would support better governance on all sides, clarifying expectations, reinforcing standards and encouraging federal departments to approach treaty obligations with a more coordinated, whole-of-government approach. This is how culture change takes hold. It is through consistent attention on key issues, education and public reporting to help guide the government's response. By providing independent analysis through views and performance audits, by reminding governments of their obligations and by ensuring that unilateral or cross-governmental actions do not undermine the treaty relationship, the commissioner would strengthen the stability and predictability that modern treaties were designed to provide. Reconciliation requires us to look honestly at the past, act responsibly in the present and build a future grounded in respect and partnership. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission reminds us that to build for the future, we must learn from the past. That includes acknowledging the harm caused by federal policies designed to suppress indigenous cultures and assimilate indigenous peoples. It also includes recognizing the intergenerational trauma that those policies created and understanding that reconciliation is not a single act but a multi-generational journey. Modern treaties have been one of the most effective tools for moving that journey forward. They support self-determination, they reduce reliance on colonial legislation like the Indian Act, they create real opportunities for indigenous participation in the broader economy, they help build generational wealth and they strengthen the nation-to-nation, government-to-government and Inuit-Crown relationships that are essential to Canada's future. The commissioner could help ensure that these agreements are implemented in a way that reflects their spirit and purpose. That is reconciliation in action. Some have asked why this work cannot simply be done by existing institutions. The answer is clear: Modern treaties are unique. They are constitutional agreements with complex, crosscutting obligations that span dozens of departments. They require specialized knowledge, sustained attention and a mandate focused solely on implementation. The Auditor General plays a vital role, but their mandate is broad. They cannot provide the continuous, treaty-specific oversight that partners themselves have asked for. The commissioner would fill those gaps. As Eva Clayton, president of the Nisga'a Lisims Government, said at INAN, the commissioner is the missing piece. It is the mechanism that ensures the ecosystem of tools Canada has created actually leads to cultural change inside government. By supporting the implementation of modern treaties, this legislation would help create the conditions for success. It would reflect a true co-developed approach to developing solutions made in partnership with indigenous peoples. It would strengthen trust, it would strengthen transparency and it would be another step toward strengthening the relationship that underpins economic opportunities across the country. I want to close by acknowledging the leadership of the indigenous governments that have guided this work. Their clarity, their patience and their determination have shaped this legislation. They have shown us what partnership looks like, and they have shown us what it means to build a relationship that lasts. Passing this legislation would help make sure that Canada lives up to its modern treaty obligations, its objectives and, most importantly, its relationships. It would help us be a better treaty partner, and it would help us build a future grounded in respect, in partnership and in the full implementation of the agreements that bind us together. I urge all members of the House to support this bill.

Madam Speaker, the commissioner's role is to be an independent body with oversight over treaties. They are there to do the reporting and provide recommendations, but also to ensure that any recommendations are implemented by the various departments. Many of these treaties will cross a multitude of departments, which will have responsibilities to ensure the proper implementation of them. The role of the commissioner is oversight and reporting, and the role of the various ministries and departments is to implement changes and ensure the proper fulfillment of obligations.

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question and welcome him back to the House. I really appreciated the opportunity to work with him on the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs. To answer his question, I would say that, although other institutions do exist to ensure the implementation of treaties, we heard very clearly from first nations members that there was a lack of implementation because there was a lack of ongoing oversight. Although we have the Auditor General, their mandate is too broad. We need somebody who can provide support and exert pressure on all the departments involved in this issue. We need to ensure that there is follow up. Only by being consistent, over and over again, will we be able to ensure that there is movement and that we make progress. I would say that it is really by focusing on treaties through an independent commissioner that we will be able to make progress on this file.

Madam Speaker, first nations have been calling for this kind of service, if I can call it that, for over 20 years. We have been told that they lack the necessary and sustained resources and mechanisms to ensure that treaties are fully implemented. If this bill is not passed, it means we will continue to find ourselves embroiled in litigation and other similar legal proceedings. With the ongoing work of a commissioner—

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. I have been visiting with people in my riding. I have been going door to door and attending community events. Although people still have concerns about affordability, they see our efforts and tell us we are on the right track. Today, more than 29,600 people in my riding will be better off because of the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. What is more, over 12,000 people in St. Boniface—St. Vital are enrolled in the dental care plan. The impacts are real.

Madam Speaker, I must admit that, given the challenges we are currently facing, there is a tremendous amount of work to do. We, on this side of the House, are doing that work. We are investing in Canadians and in businesses. I was very proud to visit the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, where business owners told us that we are on the right track and asked us to continue making these investments, because they support them. We also want to create up to 100,000 jobs in the skilled trades to support all sectors of our industry. That is important.

Madam Speaker, I have spoken to people in Portage—Lisgar and in Brandon, in my riding of Manitoba. I was at the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce luncheon a few weeks ago, and all of those in the business community there, from all of the sectors, said that major investments are important. They said, “Keep doing what you're doing.” I was really, really proud to support PrairiesCan, the economic development agency in our region. It is giving financing to a number of projects with over $5 million through the tariff relief fund and the Prairies strategic innovation fund, which is supporting businesses doing great work on the ground. All of these people are going to get what they need to keep—

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to speak to Bill C-263, an act to establish a national framework for silver alerts. I would like to thank the member for Kildonan—St. Paul for bringing this important matter to the House for debate. The safety of our seniors, especially those living with dementia or other cognitive impairments, is a priority for us all. This is a topic that transcends party lines, and it is no exaggeration to say that dementia impacts every community across Canada. The silver alert concept is born from a place of genuine compassion and a desire to protect our most vulnerable citizens. We can all imagine the heartbreak and terror that families must feel when a loved one with a cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer's wanders away from home. It is estimated that nearly one million Canadians will be living with dementia by 2030. We need to make sure that we have the right methods and tools in place to protect vulnerable people who may go missing, people like Earl Moberg, who inspired this bill and who serves as a poignant reminder of the very real consequences if we do not get this right. Bill C-263 proposes a national framework to support a coordinated silver alert system. Among other things, it seeks to use our existing national public alerting system to issue alerts when a vulnerable senior disappears. The federal, provincial and territorial governments already collaborate on Alert Ready, or the national public alerting system. It alerts the public through TV, radio and wireless devices to life-threatening situations, such as tornados, fires and Amber alerts. In 2024 alone, 855 emergency alerts were issued across Canada. These alerts provide life-saving information during extreme weather or other critical events. We need to make sure that any framework is developed in consultation with our provincial and territorial counterparts across the country so that it complements existing local protocols, rather than complicating or duplicating them. This step is crucial, considering that missing persons are an area of provincial and territorial jurisdiction. To date, no preliminary discussions have been held with the provinces and territories to determine whether they would even support such a framework. Search and rescue operations are often led by local police services in coordination with provincial agencies and volunteer organizations. Whether a senior goes missing in a rural township or a dense urban core, the response must be immediate and tailored to that specific area or community. The local authorities are the ones who have the on-the-ground knowledge to respond quickly and effectively. Quebec has implemented a non-intrusive alert program that was announced in February 2026. It is an evidence-based program that alerts the public in non-intrusive ways, on social media, TV or radio, for example. Budget 2025 committed to renewing the national public alerting system model to better support emergency alerting across Canada. Guidance for consistent NPAS alerting, including missing vulnerable people, is already a topic of discussion with provinces and territories, and it is expected to be covered by this work. Bill C-263 could be strengthened by acknowledging this work and collaboration in its preamble. For a notification system to be effective, it must be used judiciously and the parameters must be clear. Canada already has a highly effective system for the direst circumstances, the Amber alert. The power of the Amber alert lies in its rarity. When that sound goes off on Canadians' phones, they know it is a life-or-death emergency involving a child in immediate danger. If we expand the criteria for emergency broadcasts to include every instance of a missing senior when thousands of such incidents occur annually across this country, we run a very real risk of creating alert fatigue. If the public begins to perceive these alerts as routine, they may start to ignore them. By overusing the emergency broadcast system, we would inadvertently weaken its effectiveness for everyone, including the very seniors this bill seeks to protect. We must therefore ensure that alerts are only issued when necessary, in order to maintain the public's high level of responsiveness in the event of an emergency. Clear thresholds must first be established and would have to be met before such alerts are issued. Therefore, the bill would be further strengthened by including these thresholds in the preamble to ensure consistent application across the country. Our government often speaks of its commitment to the safety and dignity of all Canadians, and these are not just empty words. The government is determined to take concrete action to ensure everyone's safety. It is because of our seniors that we have the great communities and country we have today. We owe it to them to keep them safe from danger. In conclusion, the government recognizes the merit in exploring a national approach to silver alerts. However, a national framework must be efficient, clear and non-duplicative. Therefore, with some amendments to streamline the bill and include clear thresholds, the government is prepared to support Bill C‑263.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise with great pride to recognize an extraordinary group of young girls from my riding of St. Boniface—St. Vital, Team Bison. These five students recently competed in the 2026 Canada-Wide Science Fair in Edmonton. In their fourth consecutive year at the fair, they earned a bronze medal as well as several prestigious awards and scholarships. As someone who believes deeply in the potential of young people, I am especially proud of what they accomplished. Their curiosity, hard work and passion for discovery are inspiring. They are helping show the next generation of girls that they belong in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Their example reminds us of the importance of continuing to support and empower women and girls in these fields. I thank Team Bison for making our community proud. Their accomplishments inspire us, and I have no doubt this is only the beginning of what they will achieve. I congratulate them on this well-deserved achievement.

Mr. Speaker, today on Red Dress Day, we honour the memory of missing and murdered indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people. Across the country, and especially in Manitoba, this tragedy continues to affect families, communities, and entire generations. Every red dress represents a life, a story, and a profound loss. Last fall, I had the honour of attending the announcement of the Manitoba red dress alert pilot project, led by the group Giganawenimaanaanig, which means “we all take care of them”. This important initiative reflects the commitment of communities to raising awareness, commemorating and advancing justice. While this work is essential, much work remains. We must continue working in partnership with indigenous communities to end this national crisis and ensure the safety of indigenous women and girls. Today, we remember, we listen and we act.

Mr. Speaker, one year ago, I had the immense privilege of being elected to represent the people of Saint‑Boniface—Saint‑Vital, and it is my honour to do so to this day. Since then, we have advanced concrete priorities: more accessible housing, investments that support our businesses and create good jobs and measures to help families cope with the cost of living. What matters to me more than announcements and results is being present on the ground, listening to people and serving them. I see it as my job to help people navigate federal services and to speak on behalf of our community in Ottawa. I would like to applaud the leadership of the right hon. Prime Minister, who is enabling us to deliver concrete results for our communities. One year in, we are just getting started. I remain deeply, enthusiastically and determinedly engaged in pursuing this work.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 30th anniversary of the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association. Founded through the vision and leadership of first nation and Métis leaders, NACCA has built a national network of 51 indigenous financial institutions, expanding access to capital for indigenous entrepreneurs and serving every province and territory. In the 1990s, pioneering organizations such as the Alberta Indian Investment Corporation, Indian Business Corporation, Saskatchewan Indian Equity Foundation, Société de crédit commercial autochtone, Tale'awtxw Aboriginal Capital Corporation and Ulnooweg Development Group laid the foundation for this movement. Last year, their work generated $377 million in labour income and over $640 million in GDP, while strengthening community well-being. Congratulations to NACCA on 30 years of impact, leadership and success.

Mr. Speaker, at the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs, we have often heard about how important it was to include indigenous people in the drafting of this bill. Can my colleague tell us why that was so important? Can he explain how that process actually worked and explain how drafting the bill in co-operation with indigenous people made it so robust?

Mr. Speaker, kwe kwe, ullukkut, taanshi, bonjour, hello. Before I begin, I want to acknowledge that Canada's Parliament is located on the unceded and unsurrendered traditional territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin people. To understand the opportunity before us today, we need to look honestly at the history that brought us here. For centuries, treaties have been the foundation of that relationship. In the 18th century, the peace and friendship treaties were meant to restore stability after conflict. Later, treaties signed after 1763 opened much of this country to non-indigenous settlement in exchange for specific rights and benefits, such as annuities, reserve lands and commitments. These agreements, now known as the historic treaties, were followed by decades of colonial policies. We acknowledge those truths as part of our shared journey of reconciliation. A new era began in 1973 with the Supreme Court of Canada's decision in the Calder case. The Nisga'a Tribal Council sought recognition of their title to their homelands. After the case was dismissed on a technicality, the court affirmed that aboriginal title existed before colonialization. That recognition pushed Canada to create its first land claims policy. This shift set the stage for the first modern treaty, the 1975 James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. The Cree and Inuit negotiated this agreement after Hydro-Québec attempted to develop their lands without consultation. The treaty acknowledged their rights and created a new model for treaty-making in Canada. In 1982, the Constitution affirmed the rights of indigenous peoples and recognized that future agreements, including modern treaties, would continue to define those rights. However, challenges persisted. The 1996 report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples found that Canada lacked the structures needed to oversee treaty implementation and recommended to create an implementation office to support the renewed relationship. For over 20 years, calls for stronger oversight grew louder. In 2003, the Land Claims Agreements Coalition was formed, and shortly thereafter began to advocate for an independent oversight body. In 2008, the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples urged the government to work with indigenous partners to establish an independent commission, through legislation, to oversee the implementation of modern treaties. That history and effort that began over 20 years ago is what led to the co-development process that produced the legislation before us today. At the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs during study of Bill C-10, indigenous leaders described how these long-standing challenges continue to show up in practice. Chief Troy Sam, chief councillor of the Kitsumkalum Band Council, reminded that “implementation is not theoretical” and that it affects on-the-ground decisions regarding lands, resources and governance every day. Nicole Rempel of K'ómoks First Nation highlighted that “Implementation determines whether governance functions effectively and whether economic development can proceed with confidence” and underscored the importance of predictability and addressing issues early. These stories reflect a pattern seen across modern treaty nations. While commitments are negotiated in good faith, there is still work to do to strengthen consistency in how they are implemented and to fully realize their intended benefits. In March 2023, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada began a focused co-development effort with modern treaty partners. Much of this work took place through the modern treaty implementation policy working group, which brought together representatives from most of the 27 modern treaties and federal officials. Partners who preferred other engagement methods were consulted through their own chosen approaches. Key principles guided this work together. The commissioner was designed to be an independent body that reports to Parliament and holds government to account, with a mandate focused specifically on modern treaties. It is grounded in independence, objectivity, impartiality and expert knowledge, with the authority to require departments to provide the information necessary to carry out its mandate. In terms of scope, the commissioner was designed to address persistent challenges in awareness, understanding and action on modern treaty implementation across all federal departments and agencies by providing independent and expert oversight. The commissioner would provide whole-of-government independent oversight to improve awareness, understanding and action across the federal public service of modern treaty obligations, objectives and relationships. To support this, the commissioner's core functions would include reviews, performance audits and briefings. That is why the structure of the commissioner matters. The role was designed to be independent, with the ability to look across departments, identify and analyze systemic issues and provide clear public reporting to Parliament. Grounded in this co-development design and shared set of principles, the next step was to move forward with establishing the commissioner. At the second annual Intergovernmental Leaders' Forum in May of 2024, the Prime Minister announced the intention to establish an independent oversight body led by a commissioner for modern treaty implementation, an agent of Parliament. This marked a significant shift in the modern treaty relationship, reflecting a shared commitment to accountability and partnership. Following that announcement, the draft legislative proposal was shared with more than 130 partners, including modern treaty partners, groups negotiating modern treaties, self-government partners, national indigenous organizations, regional organizations, provincial and territorial governments and others. The goal was simple: to ensure that every partner with an interest in the commissioner's work had the opportunity to engage on this legislation. The consultations took place between May and July of 2024. In total, more than 100 proposed changes were submitted. Several themes emerged. Indigenous partners must be involved in the commissioner's work at the same level as federal institutions. Stronger consultation requirements were needed throughout the legislation, including with the independent review process. The commissioner's mandate needed to clearly include agreements that supported modern treaties, such as self-government and fiscal arrangements. These insights shaped the proposed legislation before us. Partners have been clear in their support. Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated stated, “The creation of a Commissioner...demonstrates a real step towards genuine collaboration from Canada.” The Tłı̨chǫ Government said that this is an exciting moment and that their hard work has paid off. The Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations met with modern treaty leadership to review the revisions. Partners expressed strong support and urged Canada to move forward quickly. Legislation to create a commissioner was introduced in October 2024. Although prorogation of Parliament paused the legislative process, indigenous modern treaty partners consistently called for the reintroduction of this legislation. They want this legislation passed. They helped build it, and they see it as a major step forward in strengthening the treaty relationship. At committee, indigenous leaders spoke favourably about the proposed legislation. They positively described the co-development process. They emphasized that the bill reflects decades of advocacy. They spoke about the commissioner's ability to strengthen relationships, improve coordination across departments and help prevent disputes from escalating to litigation. They also highlighted the importance of a whole-of-government approach and the need for consistent, specialized oversight, which is something the Auditor General, with a broad mandate, cannot provide. These perspectives reflect a shared belief that the commissioner is a needed institution, one that modern treaty partners have consistently called for over the past two decades. This legislation represents a key milestone. It responds to more than 20 years of calls from modern treaty partners for greater accountability and oversight. It delivers on our commitments in Canada's collaborative modern treaty implementation policy. It reflects the combined co-development efforts of Canada and modern treaty partners, and it strengthens the foundation for a renewed relationship between the Crown and indigenous people. Modern treaties drive social, cultural and economic growth. They are a key thread in Canada's constitutional fabric. They create economic opportunities for indigenous partners and all people in Canada, including on projects relevant to the One Canadian Economy Act, which integrated indigenous leadership into national infrastructure and climate planning. They are essential to building a stronger, more resilient country. Today, we have the opportunity to honour those commitments. I ask members of the House to vote yes on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and all departments in this government are doing the work of implementing these modern treaties to the best of their extent. However, there are numerous modern treaties and risks of even more significant new ones being signed. We need help to do the work effectively.

Mr. Speaker, what we have seen repeatedly through the testimony that we heard was the need for this independent distinctive body that has the knowledge and expertise to oversee the implementation of these modern treaties. Furthermore, the Auditor General is on one review and then on to the next audit and the next audit. An independent commissioner tasked with only looking at modern treaties would also be able to help educate departments across government, which all have obligations to follow through. That ongoing relationship, as well as communication between departments and the commissioner, would really help to realize the full extent of these treaties.

Mr. Speaker, as we have heard, despite the efforts currently in place, there seems to be systemic issues that we are trying to resolve. With the implementation of a specific commissioner tasked solely with educating government departments about the implications of treaties, their implementation and what is needed, that ongoing oversight conversation, development and education across the board would really help to put the necessary resources in the right places to move these things forward.

Mr. Speaker, I think that what sets the commissioner apart in this situation is the fact that their one and only task will be to monitor treaties. That will create an ongoing dialogue on the monitoring of each treaty. In other cases, people look over a report and move on to the next one. No continuous monitoring is done to ensure that everyone is aware of their responsibilities and that real progress is made on these advances.

Mr. Speaker, March 20 was the International Day of La Francophonie. In honour of the occasion, I want to draw the House's attention to the vitality and resilience of francophone communities across the country, especially those in Manitoba. French is alive and well in every part of the province. We see it at our festivals, we hear it in our schools and we experience it in our organizations, businesses and communities. Of course, I am especially proud of my riding of St. Boniface—St. Vital, where we can see, every day, through our culture, creativity and sense of community that French is thriving. The French language continues to evolve with us within open, diverse and forward-looking communities. People can live in French, work in French, laugh in French and, yes, sometimes even stumble over their words in French. In the end, what matters is that French is alive and well. Although it is a few days after the fact, let us take some time to proudly, enthusiastically and joyfully celebrate our francophone community.