Speech (House debate)

{
    "time": "2009-05-11 18:10:00",
    "attribution": {
        "en": "Hon. Chuck Strahl (Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for M\u00e9tis and Non-Status Indians, CPC)",
        "fr": ""
    },
    "content": {
        "en": "<p class=\"procedural\" data-HoCid=\"1463754\"> moved that Bill <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8, An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves</a>, be read the second time and referred to a committee. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463755\" data-originallang=\"en\">Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for Bill <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8, Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act</a>.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463756\" data-originallang=\"fr\"> We have before us in Canada, an inexcusable and intolerable situation that has gone on far too long. Before I discuss this bill, it is important to have a sound understanding of matrimonial rights and interests. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463757\" data-originallang=\"en\">An inexcusable and intolerable situation has gone on for far too long in Canada. Before I discuss the main planks of the bill, it is important to have a basic understanding of matrimonial rights and interests.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463758\" data-originallang=\"en\">Matrimonial real property, or MRP, typically refers to the family home where both spouses in a marriage or common law relationship live on reserve. For almost all Canadians, provincial and territorial laws protect the MRP rights and interests of both spouses in the event of separation, divorce or death. These laws address a wide range of circumstances. If the family home is sold, for instance, both spouses must share in the proceeds. These laws also authorize a judge to order a spouse to temporarily leave the family home, particularly in cases of domestic violence and physical abuse.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463759\" data-originallang=\"en\">Shamefully, these same laws that all Canadians take for granted do not apply on reserve. Spouses who live in communities governed by the Indian Act are afforded no such protection. This is because the Indian Act does not address the issue, and past governments have failed to remedy this glaring omission through legislation. As a result, relationship breakdowns in first nations communities often lead to homelessness and poverty, particularly for women and children.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463760\" data-originallang=\"en\">Although each victim's situation is unique, we can all envision the following type of unfortunate and sad scenario: A husband and wife and their family live together in a house on first nations land. The marriage breaks down, who knows why, and the husband forces his wife and children to leave the family home. The woman has no legal recourse. She must find another place for her and her children to live. Often she has no choice but to leave the community. She is homeless. She is impoverished. Meanwhile, no court in the land can prevent the husband from selling the home and pocketing the cash.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463761\" data-originallang=\"fr\">It is unacceptable that this scenario continues to play out in Canada in the 21st century. Parliament must act. This bill would quickly remedy this legal void.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463762\" data-originallang=\"en\">In highlighting the importance of this Parliament passing Bill <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8</a>, I want to stress four important aspects of this legislation. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463763\" data-originallang=\"en\">First, our Conservative government fully recognizes that first nations are best placed to make choices about the balance between the rights of first nations and the collective property rights. They are in the best position to develop those laws. That is why Bill <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8</a> describes a process for first nations communities to develop and enact their own laws in this area. That is the first thing. Let us allow first nations to develop the laws that apply in their situation on reserve. I think all sides of the House recognize that.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463764\" data-originallang=\"en\">Second, while first nations develop their own laws, a remedy for vulnerable citizens living on reserve is urgently required. Bill <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8</a> proposes the immediate application of interim federal protection on reserves similar to those enjoyed by all other Canadians. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463765\" data-originallang=\"en\">Third, the bill was developed after exhaustive study, authoritative research and comprehensive consultation with first nations groups.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463766\" data-originallang=\"en\">Finally, Bill <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8</a> complements this government's larger initiatives to protect the rights and interests of first nations people. Again, I would point out that Bill <a data-HoCid=\"3095171\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-21/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act\">C-21</a>, which we passed in the last Parliament, was supported by all sides of the House. For the first time it brought the application of the Canadian Human Rights Act to bear on people living on reserve.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463767\" data-originallang=\"en\">The first element of Bill <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8</a> provides an enabling process for first nations to establish MRP regimes of their own, regimes based on the cultural and social norms of their communities. To create such a law, a first nation most hold a fair and democratic vote on its proposed MRP legislation that must be approved by the entire community.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463768\" data-originallang=\"en\">Laws that meet these conditions are not subject to review, consideration or rejection by the <a data-HoCid=\"111551\" href=\"/politicians/chuck-strahl/\" title=\"Chuck Strahl\">Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development</a> or by the department. In other words, as first nations develop those laws based on their community customs, they bring them forward and have them endorsed at the community level. I cannot intervene, nor should I, in making sure that those would be the laws of application for that particular community.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463769\" data-originallang=\"en\">The next element of the proposed legislation goes hand in hand with my first reason for supporting Bill <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8</a>. It sets out a federal regime that will immediately protect the MRP rights and interests of first nations spouses and common law partners. The regime would provide residents of first nations communities with access to legal recourse similar to that available to all other Canadians. This would close the unacceptable legislative gap that currently exists. It will protect some of the most vulnerable Canadians who right now have no protection in case of that marital breakdown.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463770\" data-originallang=\"en\">Our outright support for Bill <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8</a> is also based on the fact that the proposed legislation is founded on a sizable body of sound research and an exhaustive consultation. There are multiple standing committee reports with all parties voicing support, having recommended a swift and enduring legislative solution. International groups, including the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, reached similar conclusions.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463771\" data-originallang=\"en\">A comprehensive consultation process also informs the legislation now before us. In 2006 a collaborative process facilitated by the esteemed Wendy Grant-John and involving the Native Women's Association of Canada and the Assembly of First Nations saw 103 consultative sessions held at 76 different sites across the country. In fact, over $8 million was provided to the Native Women's Association of Canada and the Assembly of First Nations to carry out a consultative process. We wanted input and we got it.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463772\" data-originallang=\"en\">This government also went to great lengths to create a legislative solution that would satisfy all stakeholders. Our proposal was largely based on the results of the consultations and many of Wendy Grant-John's thoughtful recommendations. A draft legislative proposal was then shared with key stakeholders, including the Assembly of First Nations, the Native Women's Association of Canada, the First Nations Lands Advisory Board and the provinces and territories. Their input resulted in significant improvements to the legislation before us today.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463773\" data-originallang=\"en\">I would also point out that Bill <a data-HoCid=\"3314226\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-47/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-47</a>, this bill's predecessor, has been in the public domain for all to see and review for a full year now. It passed at second reading in the 39th Parliament. I think members on all sides of the House wanted to get this into committee for further evaluation and study, knowing that we need to address this legislative gap. That is why it passed in the last Parliament with all-party support.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463774\" data-originallang=\"en\">The proposed legislation incorporates the ideas put forward and addresses concerns expressed during many years of study, analysis and discussion.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463775\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Virtually every first nation group in Canada that spoke to this issue during the consultation strongly opposed the application of provincial laws, so that option was discarded. To respond to those who demanded that any solution address the cultural values and traditions of first nation communities, Bill <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8</a> provides a process for first nations to develop their own culturally specific laws on the issue. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463776\" data-originallang=\"en\">At the same time, the national approach taken in this bill will ensure that the immediate protection provided will be consistent for first nations across the country. In other words, it will apply immediately, but first nations are encouraged to bring in their own laws, and I am sure many of them will do so quickly, developed in their own communities that under this legislation will supersede the national standards in this act. It will have the stand-alone, community based, community endorsed, community ratified solution for that particular first nation. That is as it should be, in our opinion, and that is why this deserves broad support.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463777\" data-originallang=\"en\">Some groups also raised concerns about the implementation of a federal MRP regime. There are two answers to this.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463778\" data-originallang=\"en\">First, as I have mentioned, this legislation takes the minister and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs out of the picture regarding first nations MRP laws on reserves. Instead, this bill recognizes that first nations, not the federal government, are best placed to make these decisions related to MRP.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463779\" data-originallang=\"en\">We have taken many measures to ensure that even during the time when the interim federal protection applies, collective interests are well balanced with individual needs. That is important for first nations. They need to know that the reserve property that is owned collectively is not going to be sold out from underneath them. This cannot happen under this legislation. No one ever intended that and we were careful to make sure that the protection and balance is in this legislation. Again all of it was done with the intent that first nations will develop their own MRP laws that will be community specific and ratified in the local community.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463780\" data-originallang=\"en\">Given that implementation concerns cannot be readily addressed in the legislation itself--we cannot answer all these questions that way--the Government of Canada plans to establish a centre of excellence to support first nations and to deliver training and information sessions to law enforcement and court officials. It will be a place where best practices are maintained. A repository of information and research material will be there for first nations that are in the midst of developing their own laws for their own communities.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463781\" data-originallang=\"en\">These actions touch upon my final point.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463782\" data-originallang=\"en\">Bill <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8</a> is part of a much larger strategy to improve the quality of life experienced by residents of first nations communities. This strategy involves working in collaboration with first nations organizations and other willing partners to identify and attack the root causes of injustice and inequity.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463783\" data-originallang=\"en\">This strategy has already produced tangible results on a variety of issues and a comprehensive plan developed in partnership with the Assembly of First Nations. A good example is the specific claims legislation that this government brought in. It addresses the unacceptable backlog of hundreds and hundreds of claims. First nations have been looking for some 40 years for laws to give some assurance that these will be settled in a timely fashion.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463784\" data-originallang=\"en\">We worked with first nations. We brought in that legislation. That plan was endorsed by Parliament to establish an independent tribunal to adjudicate these claims. I mentioned earlier Bill <a data-HoCid=\"3095171\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-21/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act\">C-21</a> and the issue of the application of the Canadian Human Rights Act. It is another good example of how that kind of application on reserve, specific claims on reserve and a record number of treaty land entitlement resolutions that we have had especially on the Prairies, all point to addressing those long-standing issues in order to address other inequities and inequalities in the system, and certainly that is what we are eager to do.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463785\" data-originallang=\"en\">As I mentioned, this will be, in my opinion, the flagship human rights legislation introduced in this Parliament, certainly by me. It deals with something that has been a legislative gap for far too long. It is something that other Canadians take for granted. It is time we addressed that gap. Some people and some communities talk about human rights. Some other countries talk about the importance of human rights; Canada certainly does, but we are acting on this basic human right.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463786\" data-originallang=\"en\">I believe Bill <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8</a> offers another historic opportunity to better protect the basic rights of first nations people.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463787\" data-originallang=\"en\"> The legislation asks the members of this House two fundamental questions. First, should this country extend the legal rights, recourses and protections enjoyed by all other Canadians, and should we extend that, with this legislation, to first nations communities? </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463788\" data-originallang=\"en\">Second, should first nations have the power to develop MRP laws that reflect the cultural and social traditions of their communities? That is the flip side of the same coin.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463789\" data-originallang=\"en\"> In my opinion, the answer is yes, we must move to protect the most vulnerable in society, to fill that legislative gap as quickly as possible, to ensure that first nation communities, and especially the vulnerable in first nation communities, have the access to rights that all other Canadians enjoy.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463790\" data-originallang=\"en\">Equally as important, the flip side of that same coin is that we on this side of the House support first nations developing their own MRP laws to address that gap. When they address that gap, it will be approved in their local communities. They will address it in a way that is sensitive to their local situation and their social norms and their cultural traditions.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463791\" data-originallang=\"en\">Once that is done, passed and ratified, then the <a data-HoCid=\"111551\" href=\"/politicians/chuck-strahl/\" title=\"Chuck Strahl\">Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development</a> and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs cannot interfere in first nations' proper exercise of their authority to develop that MRP law of their own. That is essential to the flip side of this important coin.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463792\" data-originallang=\"en\">It is my hope that hon. colleagues here today and in the days to come at committee will do the right thing and will do the honourable thing, which I think is to stand up for the most vulnerable in society and support Bill <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8</a> through all stages in this House and in committee so that first nations can enjoy the same rights as every other Canadian.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463793\" data-originallang=\"en\">When we went through the debate on Bill C-21 in the last Parliament, there was concern about trying to achieve perfection. We talked about whether it was the right time to do this, whether we could have done something more, and whether we could have consulted more. In this case, we have consulted at over 100 different community meetings.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463794\" data-originallang=\"en\">I suppose we could always say we could more. We could spend more money on consultations. We could extend it indefinitely into the future. But at some point we have to come down solidly and say, enough is enough, it is time to extend this right that every other Canadian knows in their heart and has experienced, sometimes unfortunately has experienced it in the courts, but at least they have a way to address this longstanding issue in their community.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463795\" data-originallang=\"en\">I would just ask people to wrap their head around this. What would one say to that first nation lady who is looking for some access to the matrimonial real property that she and her husband have built over the years? She might say, \u201cUnfortunately the marriage has broken down, but I could get off to the next step by getting half of the assets of the matrimonial property and move forward, maybe into another home or into another situation, looking after my children\u201d.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463796\" data-originallang=\"en\">We need to say to that lady or that man, \u201cWe are there for you. We will do the right thing in this Parliament of Canada. We will extend to you the same rights as every other Canadian.\u201d We are going to do it starting today, and we are going to do it as quickly as we can.</p>",
        "fr": "<p data-HoCid=\"1463754\" data-originallang=\"en\">propose que le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8, Loi concernant les foyers familiaux situ\u00e9s dans les r\u00e9serves des premi\u00e8res nations et les droits ou int\u00e9r\u00eats matrimoniaux sur les constructions et terres situ\u00e9es dans ces r\u00e9serves</a>, soit lu pour la deuxi\u00e8me fois et renvoy\u00e9 \u00e0 un comit\u00e9.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463755\" data-originallang=\"en\">\u2014 Monsieur le Pr\u00e9sident, je tiens aujourd\u2019hui \u00e0 exprimer mon appui envers le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8, Loi sur les foyers familiaux situ\u00e9s dans les r\u00e9serves et les droits ou int\u00e9r\u00eats matrimoniaux</a>.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463756\" data-originallang=\"fr\">On a devant nous, ici au Canada, une situation intol\u00e9rable et injustifiable qui existe depuis trop longtemps. Avant d'en parler, c'est important d'avoir une bonne compr\u00e9hension des droits et int\u00e9r\u00eats matrimoniaux.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463757\" data-originallang=\"en\">Il existe actuellement au Canada une situation inexcusable et intol\u00e9rable qui dure depuis beaucoup trop longtemps. Avant d\u2019aborder les \u00e9l\u00e9ments principaux du projet de loi, il est important de comprendre en g\u00e9n\u00e9ral les droits et les int\u00e9r\u00eats matrimoniaux.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463758\" data-originallang=\"en\">Les biens immobiliers matrimoniaux d\u00e9signent principalement le domicile familial o\u00f9 habitent les deux \u00e9poux ou les deux conjoints de fait. Pour la plupart des Canadiens, les lois provinciales et territoriales prot\u00e8gent les droits et les int\u00e9r\u00eats des deux \u00e9poux en mati\u00e8re de biens immobiliers matrimoniaux dans les cas de s\u00e9paration, de divorce ou de d\u00e9c\u00e8s. Ces lois abordent une vaste gamme de situations. Par exemple, si on vend le domicile familial, les deux \u00e9poux doivent se partager le produit de la vente. Ces lois permettent \u00e9galement \u00e0 un juge d\u2019ordonner \u00e0 un conjoint de quitter temporairement le domicile familial, particuli\u00e8rement dans les cas de violence familiale ou de s\u00e9vices physiques.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463759\" data-originallang=\"en\">Scandaleusement, ces lois que les Canadiens tiennent pour acquises ne s\u2019appliquent pas dans les r\u00e9serves. Les conjoints qui vivent dans des communaut\u00e9s r\u00e9gies par la Loi sur les Indiens n\u2019ont pas droit \u00e0 une telle protection, car la loi n\u2019aborde pas la question, et les gouvernements ant\u00e9rieurs n\u2019ont pas corrig\u00e9 cet oubli \u00e9vident au moyen de mesures l\u00e9gislatives. Par cons\u00e9quent, la rupture de la relation conjugale dans les communaut\u00e9s des Premi\u00e8res nations m\u00e8ne souvent \u00e0 l\u2019itin\u00e9rance et \u00e0 la pauvret\u00e9, en particulier chez les femmes et les enfants.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463760\" data-originallang=\"en\">Bien que la situation de chaque victime soit diff\u00e9rente, je vous pr\u00e9sente un exemple de situation triste qui est beaucoup trop commune. Un conjoint, sa conjointe et leurs enfants vivent dans une maison dans les terres de Premi\u00e8res nations. Il y a dissolution du mariage et le conjoint oblige sa conjointe et ses enfants \u00e0 quitter le domicile familial. La conjointe n\u2019a aucun recours judiciaire. Elle doit trouver un autre logement pour ses enfants et elle-m\u00eame. Souvent, elle doit quitter la communaut\u00e9 et se trouve sans abri et dans la pauvret\u00e9, alors qu\u2019aucun tribunal au pays ne peut emp\u00eacher son conjoint de vendre la maison et d\u2019empocher l\u2019argent.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463761\" data-originallang=\"fr\">Qu'un tel sc\u00e9nario se poursuive en ce si\u00e8cle et ici m\u00eame au Canada est inacceptable. Le Parlement doit agir. Ce projet de loi comblera rapidement ce vide juridique.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463762\" data-originallang=\"en\">Tout en soulignant l\u2019importance de l\u2019adoption par le Parlement du projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8</a>, j\u2019aimerais mettre l\u2019accent sur quatre \u00e9l\u00e9ments importants du projet de loi.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463763\" data-originallang=\"en\">Premi\u00e8rement, le gouvernement conservateur actuel reconna\u00eet pleinement que les Premi\u00e8res nations sont les mieux plac\u00e9es pour prendre toute d\u00e9cision concernant l'\u00e9quilibre entre les droits des Premi\u00e8res nations et le droit \u00e0 la propri\u00e9t\u00e9 collective. Elles sont les mieux plac\u00e9es pour \u00e9laborer ces lois. C\u2019est pour cette raison que le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8</a> permet aux communaut\u00e9s des Premi\u00e8res nations d\u2019\u00e9laborer et d\u2019appliquer leurs propres lois dans ce domaine. C'est primordial. Il faut que les Premi\u00e8res nations puissent \u00e9laborer les lois applicables \u00e0 leur situation dans les r\u00e9serves. Je pense que tous les partis le reconnaissent.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463764\" data-originallang=\"en\">Deuxi\u00e8mement, pendant que les Premi\u00e8res nations continuent d'\u00e9laborer leurs propres lois, il faut trouver de toute urgence une solution pour les citoyens vuln\u00e9rables vivant dans les r\u00e9serves. Le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8</a> propose l\u2019application imm\u00e9diate d\u2019une protection f\u00e9d\u00e9rale temporaire dans les r\u00e9serves, semblable \u00e0 celle qui est accord\u00e9e \u00e0 tous les autres Canadiens.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463765\" data-originallang=\"en\">Troisi\u00e8mement, le projet de loi a \u00e9t\u00e9 \u00e9labor\u00e9 \u00e0 la suite d\u2019\u00e9tudes exhaustives, de recherches faisant autorit\u00e9 et de vastes consultations aupr\u00e8s de groupes des Premi\u00e8res nations.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463766\" data-originallang=\"en\">Enfin, le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8</a> s\u2019ajoute aux initiatives plus g\u00e9n\u00e9rales du gouvernement actuel en mati\u00e8re de protection des droits et des int\u00e9r\u00eats des Premi\u00e8res nations. Je voudrais \u00e0 nouveau mentionner que le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"3095171\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-21/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act\">C-21</a>, qui a \u00e9t\u00e9 adopt\u00e9 pendant la l\u00e9gislature pr\u00e9c\u00e9dente, a re\u00e7u l'appui de tous les partis. Pour la premi\u00e8re fois, la Loi canadienne sur les droits de la personne pouvait influer sur les conditions de vie dans les r\u00e9serves. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463767\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le premier \u00e9l\u00e9ment du projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8</a> permet aux Premi\u00e8res nations d\u2019\u00e9tablir leurs propres r\u00e9gimes en mati\u00e8re de biens immobiliers matrimoniaux \u2014 des r\u00e9gimes fond\u00e9s sur les normes culturelles et sociales de leurs communaut\u00e9s. Afin de cr\u00e9er une telle loi, une Premi\u00e8re nation doit tenir un vote juste et d\u00e9mocratique sur les dispositions l\u00e9gislatives qu'elle propose concernant les biens immobiliers matrimoniaux. Cette loi doit \u00eatre approuv\u00e9e par la communaut\u00e9.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463768\" data-originallang=\"en\">Les lois qui r\u00e9pondent \u00e0 ces conditions ne font pas l'objet d'une \u00e9tude par le <a data-HoCid=\"111551\" href=\"/politicians/chuck-strahl/\" title=\"Chuck Strahl\">ministre des Affaires indiennes et du Nord canadien</a> ou le minist\u00e8re, et ne sont pas non plus assujetties \u00e0 son approbation. Autrement dit, en \u00e9laborant ces lois fond\u00e9es sur les traditions de leurs communaut\u00e9s, les Premi\u00e8res nations les pr\u00e9sentent et les soumettent \u00e0 l'approbation de la communaut\u00e9. Je ne peux ni ne dois intervenir pour faire en sorte que ces lois deviennent les lois d'application dans cette communaut\u00e9 pr\u00e9cise.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463769\" data-originallang=\"en\">L'\u00e9l\u00e9ment suivant du projet de loi va de pair avec mon premier argument \u00e0 l'appui du projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8</a>: il \u00e9tablit un r\u00e9gime f\u00e9d\u00e9ral qui prot\u00e9gerait imm\u00e9diatement les droits et les int\u00e9r\u00eats en mati\u00e8re de biens immobiliers matrimoniaux des \u00e9poux et des conjoints de fait membres d\u2019une Premi\u00e8re nation. Le r\u00e9gime permettrait aux r\u00e9sidants d\u2019une communaut\u00e9 des Premi\u00e8res nations d\u2019acc\u00e9der \u00e0 des services juridiques semblables \u00e0 ceux offerts aux autres Canadiens, comblant ainsi l\u2019\u00e9cart l\u00e9gislatif actuel qui est inacceptable. Le r\u00e9gime prot\u00e9gerait les Canadiens vuln\u00e9rables qui n'ont actuellement aucune protection en cas de rupture de mariage.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463770\" data-originallang=\"en\">Notre appui absolu au projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8</a> est \u00e9galement fond\u00e9 sur le fait que la loi propos\u00e9e repose sur un grand nombre de recherches approfondies et des consultations exhaustives. De multiples rapports de comit\u00e9s permanents, avec l\u2019appui de toutes les parties, recommandent une solution l\u00e9gislative rapide et durable. Des groupes internationaux, y compris le Comit\u00e9 des droits de l\u2019homme des Nations Unies, ont tir\u00e9 des conclusions semblables.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463771\" data-originallang=\"en\">Un processus de consultation exhaustif \u00e9claire \u00e9galement le projet de loi C-8. En 2006, un processus de collaboration, facilit\u00e9 par la tr\u00e8s estim\u00e9e Wendy Grant-John et incluant l\u2019Association des femmes autochtones du Canada et l\u2019Assembl\u00e9e des Premi\u00e8res Nations, a permis de tenir 103 s\u00e9ances de consultation \u00e0 76 endroits partout au pays. En fait, plus de 8 millions de dollars ont \u00e9t\u00e9 accord\u00e9s \u00e0 l\u2019Association des femmes autochtones du Canada et \u00e0 l\u2019Assembl\u00e9e des Premi\u00e8res Nations afin qu\u2019elles puissent tenir les consultations. Nous voulions des commentaires, nous en avons obtenu.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463772\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le gouvernement actuel a \u00e9galement pris d\u2019importantes mesures pour concevoir une solution l\u00e9gislative qui serait accept\u00e9e par tous les intervenants. Notre projet de loi est en grande partie fond\u00e9 sur les r\u00e9sultats des consultations et les recommandations \u00e9clair\u00e9es de Wendy Grant-John. Une version provisoire du projet de loi a ensuite \u00e9t\u00e9 remise aux intervenants cl\u00e9s, notamment l\u2019Assembl\u00e9e des Premi\u00e8res Nations, l\u2019Association des femmes autochtones du Canada, le Conseil consultatif des terres des Premi\u00e8res nations, et les provinces et les territoires. Les commentaires qu\u2019ils ont exprim\u00e9s ont permis d\u2019am\u00e9liorer consid\u00e9rablement le projet de loi dont nous sommes saisis aujourd'hui. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463773\" data-originallang=\"en\">J\u2019aimerais aussi souligner que le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"3314226\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-47/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-47</a>, le pr\u00e9d\u00e9cesseur du projet de loi C-8, est dans le domaine public \u00e0 des fins d\u2019examen depuis d\u00e9j\u00e0 un an et a franchi l\u2019\u00e9tape de la deuxi\u00e8me lecture lors de la 39<sup>e</sup> l\u00e9gislature. Je crois que tous les d\u00e9put\u00e9s de la Chambre, toutes all\u00e9geances confondues, souhaitaient renvoyer ce projet de loi au comit\u00e9 afin de pouvoir l'\u00e9valuer et l'examiner plus en profondeur, sachant qu'il fallait combler ce vide l\u00e9gislatif. C'est pourquoi il avait re\u00e7u l'appui de tous les partis \u00e0 la derni\u00e8re l\u00e9gislature. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463774\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le projet de loi comprend les id\u00e9es pr\u00e9sent\u00e9es et aborde les pr\u00e9occupations exprim\u00e9es au cours de nombreuses ann\u00e9es d\u2019\u00e9tudes, d\u2019analyses et de discussions.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463775\" data-originallang=\"en\">Presque chaque groupe des Premi\u00e8res nations au Canada qui s\u2019est exprim\u00e9 \u00e0 ce sujet au cours des consultations s\u2019opposait fortement \u00e0 l\u2019application des lois provinciales, ce qui fait que cette option a \u00e9t\u00e9 \u00e9cart\u00e9e. Le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8</a> permet aux Premi\u00e8res nations d\u2019\u00e9laborer leurs propres lois adapt\u00e9es \u00e0 leur culture en ce qui concerne ce sujet, afin de r\u00e9pondre \u00e0 ceux qui ont exig\u00e9 que toute solution aborde les valeurs culturelles et les traditions des communaut\u00e9s des Premi\u00e8res nations.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463776\" data-originallang=\"en\">De plus, l\u2019approche nationale propos\u00e9e dans le projet de loi C-8 fera en sorte qu\u2019une protection imm\u00e9diate sera accord\u00e9e de fa\u00e7on coh\u00e9rente \u00e0 toutes les Premi\u00e8res nations au pays. Autrement dit, il sera d'application imm\u00e9diate, mais les Premi\u00e8res nations sont encourag\u00e9es \u00e0 \u00e9laborer leurs propres lois, ce que nombre d'entre elles vont s'empresser de faire, je suis s\u00fbr. En vertu du projet de loi, ces lois \u00e9labor\u00e9es dans leurs collectivit\u00e9s remplaceront les normes nationales vis\u00e9es par la loi. Ces Premi\u00e8res nations se donneront ainsi une solution autonome, adapt\u00e9e \u00e0 la collectivit\u00e9, approuv\u00e9e et avalis\u00e9e par la collectivit\u00e9, comme il se doit, \u00e0 notre avis. C'est pourquoi cette mesure m\u00e9rite un appui g\u00e9n\u00e9ralis\u00e9.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463777\" data-originallang=\"en\">Certains groupes ont \u00e9galement exprim\u00e9 des pr\u00e9occupations au sujet de la mise en \u0153uvre d\u2019un r\u00e9gime f\u00e9d\u00e9ral sur les biens immobiliers matrimoniaux. Il existe deux r\u00e9ponses \u00e0 ces pr\u00e9occupations.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463778\" data-originallang=\"en\">D\u2019abord, tel que je l\u2019ai mentionn\u00e9, le projet de loi retire du processus le ministre et le minist\u00e8re en ce qui a trait aux lois concernant les biens immobiliers matrimoniaux des Premi\u00e8res nations dans les r\u00e9serves. Le projet de loi reconna\u00eet plut\u00f4t que les Premi\u00e8res nations \u2014 et non le gouvernement f\u00e9d\u00e9ral \u2014 sont les mieux plac\u00e9es pour prendre les d\u00e9cisions li\u00e9es aux biens immobiliers matrimoniaux. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463779\" data-originallang=\"en\">Nous avons pris de nombreuses mesures afin qu\u2019il y ait un bon \u00e9quilibre entre les questions d\u2019int\u00e9r\u00eat commun et les besoins des particuliers, et ce, m\u00eame durant la p\u00e9riode d\u2019application de la protection f\u00e9d\u00e9rale temporaire. Cela est important pour les Premi\u00e8res nations. Il faut qu'elles sachent qu'un bien situ\u00e9 dans une r\u00e9serve et d\u00e9tenu collectivement ne sera pas vendu sans leur consentement. Le projet de loi ne le permet pas. Cela n'avait jamais \u00e9t\u00e9 le but recherch\u00e9, et nous avons pris soin de nous assurer que le projet de loi assure protection et \u00e9quilibre. Comme je le disais, tout cela a pour but de permettre aux Premi\u00e8res nations d'adopter leurs propres lois sur les biens immobiliers matrimoniaux, lois qui seront adapt\u00e9es \u00e0 la collectivit\u00e9 locale et avalis\u00e9es par celle-ci.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463780\" data-originallang=\"en\">\u00c9tant donn\u00e9 que les pr\u00e9occupations relatives \u00e0 la mise en \u0153uvre ne peuvent pas \u00eatre facilement abord\u00e9es dans le projet de loi \u2014 ce n'est pas toujours le moyen qui convient \u2014, le gouvernement du Canada pr\u00e9voit mettre sur pied un centre d\u2019excellence pour appuyer les Premi\u00e8res nations et pour fournir des s\u00e9ances de formation et d\u2019information aux agents d\u2019application de la loi et aux repr\u00e9sentants de tribunaux. Ce centre veillera au maintien des pratiques exemplaires. Il sera d\u00e9positaire de renseignements et de documents de recherche que pourront consulter les Premi\u00e8res nations pendant qu'elles \u00e9laboreront leurs propres lois \u00e0 l'intention de leurs propres collectivit\u00e9s.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463781\" data-originallang=\"en\">Ces mesures rejoignent mon dernier point.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463782\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8</a> fait partie d'une strat\u00e9gie plus vaste pour am\u00e9liorer la qualit\u00e9 de vie des Premi\u00e8res nations. Cette strat\u00e9gie implique une collaboration avec les organismes des Premi\u00e8res nations et avec d'autres partenaires dans le but de cerner les causes des injustices et des iniquit\u00e9s et de s'y attaquer.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463783\" data-originallang=\"en\">C'est une strat\u00e9gie qui a d\u00e9j\u00e0 donn\u00e9 des r\u00e9sultats tangibles \u00e0 divers \u00e9gards et qui a permis d'\u00e9laborer un plan exhaustif en collaboration avec l'Assembl\u00e9e des Premi\u00e8res nations. Le gouvernement a notamment fait adopter une loi sur les revendications particuli\u00e8res, ce qui est un bon exemple de r\u00e9sultat tangible. Cette loi visait \u00e0 rattraper le retard inacceptable dans le traitement de centaines et de centaines de revendications. Les Premi\u00e8res nations souhaitaient depuis une quarantaine d'ann\u00e9es qu'une loi soit adopt\u00e9e pour leur donner l'assurance que ces revendications allaient \u00eatre trait\u00e9es dans les meilleurs d\u00e9lais.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463784\" data-originallang=\"en\">Nous avons collabor\u00e9 avec les Premi\u00e8res nations pour pr\u00e9senter le projet de loi sur les revendications particuli\u00e8res, que le Parlement a adopt\u00e9 et qui a eu pour effet d'\u00e9tablir un tribunal ind\u00e9pendant ayant pour mandat de r\u00e9gler ces revendications. J'ai parl\u00e9 tout \u00e0 l'heure du projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"3095171\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-21/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act\">C-21</a> et de la question de l'application de la Loi canadienne sur les droits de la personne. \u00c0 l'instar du r\u00e8glement des revendications particuli\u00e8res et du nombre record de r\u00e8glements, en particulier dans les Prairies, concernant les droits fonciers issus des trait\u00e9s, l'application, dans les r\u00e9serves, de la Loi canadienne sur les droits de la personne est un exemple de r\u00e9solution d'un probl\u00e8me qui existait depuis longtemps, dans le but de lutter contre les iniquit\u00e9s et les in\u00e9galit\u00e9s syst\u00e9miques. C'est certainement ce que nous souhaitons ardemment faire.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463785\" data-originallang=\"en\">Comme je l'ai indiqu\u00e9, ce projet de loi est \u00e0 mes yeux le plus important projet de loi sur les droits de la personne pr\u00e9sent\u00e9 durant la l\u00e9gislature actuelle. En tout cas, c'est certainement le plus important que j'ai pr\u00e9sent\u00e9. Il vise \u00e0 corriger un vide juridique qui existe depuis beaucoup trop longtemps. Les autres Canadiens tiennent pour acquis ce qui est pr\u00e9vu dans ce projet de loi, et il est temps de combler ce vide. Certaines personnes et certains groupes parlent des droits de la personne. Certains pays parlent de l'importance des droits de la personne. Le Canada en parle, lui aussi, mais il a d\u00e9cid\u00e9 d'agir pour garantir ce droit fondamental de la personne</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463786\" data-originallang=\"en\">Je suis d'avis que le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8</a> nous offre une autre occasion historique de mieux prot\u00e9ger les droits des Premi\u00e8res nations. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463787\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le projet de loi soumet deux questions fondamentales aux membres de la Chambre. Tout d'abord, le Canada devrait-il accorder, par cette mesure l\u00e9gislative, aux habitants des communaut\u00e9s des Premi\u00e8res nations les droits, services et mesures de protection juridique qui sont d\u00e9j\u00e0 accord\u00e9s aux autres Canadiens? </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463788\" data-originallang=\"en\">Deuxi\u00e8mement, est-ce que les Premi\u00e8res nations devraient avoir le pouvoir d\u2019\u00e9laborer des lois concernant les biens immobiliers matrimoniaux qui refl\u00e8tent les traditions culturelles et sociales de leurs communaut\u00e9s? Les deux questions vont de pair. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463789\" data-originallang=\"en\"> \u00c0 mon avis, la r\u00e9ponse est oui. Nous devons prot\u00e9ger les plus vuln\u00e9rables de la soci\u00e9t\u00e9, combler ce vide l\u00e9gislatif le plus rapidement possible pour assurer que les collectivit\u00e9s des Premi\u00e8res nations, et plus particuli\u00e8rement les membres les plus vuln\u00e9rables de ces collectivit\u00e9s, aient les m\u00eames droits que tous les autres Canadiens. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463790\" data-originallang=\"en\">Toutefois, ce qui importe tout autant, c'est que de notre c\u00f4t\u00e9 de la Chambre nous appuyions les Premi\u00e8res nations pour qu'elles pr\u00e9parent leurs propres lois concernant les biens immobiliers matrimoniaux afin de combler ce vide. Leurs propositions seront approuv\u00e9es dans leurs collectivit\u00e9s puisqu'elles auront \u00e9t\u00e9 pr\u00e9par\u00e9es en tenant compte de leur situation, de leurs normes sociales et de leurs traditions culturelles. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463791\" data-originallang=\"en\">Une fois cela fait, adopt\u00e9 et ratifi\u00e9, le <a data-HoCid=\"111551\" href=\"/politicians/chuck-strahl/\" title=\"Chuck Strahl\">ministre des Affaires indiennes et du Nord canadien</a> et son minist\u00e8re ne pourront s'ing\u00e9rer dans l'exercice du droit des Premi\u00e8res nations de mettre au point une telle loi pour elles-m\u00eames. C'est essentiellement l'envers de la m\u00eame m\u00e9daille. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463792\" data-originallang=\"en\">J'esp\u00e8re que mes coll\u00e8gues qui sont ici aujourd'hui et qui seront au comit\u00e9 dans les jours \u00e0 venir prendront les mesures justes qui s'imposent, autrement dit d\u00e9fendre les gens les plus vuln\u00e9rables de la soci\u00e9t\u00e9 et appuyer le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"3635116\" href=\"/bills/40-2/C-8/\" title=\"An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves\">C-8</a> \u00e0 toutes les \u00e9tapes de son \u00e9tude \u00e0 la Chambre et en comit\u00e9, pour que les Premi\u00e8res nations aient les m\u00eames droits que tous les autres Canadiens. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463793\" data-originallang=\"en\">Lorsque nous avons discut\u00e9 du projet de loi C-21 au cours de la derni\u00e8re l\u00e9gislature, la question de la recherche de la perfection a \u00e9t\u00e9 soulev\u00e9e. Nous nous sommes demand\u00e9 si c'\u00e9tait le bon temps d'agir, si nous aurions pu faire plus et si nous aurions pu tenir davantage de consultations. Dans ce cas, nous avons men\u00e9 des consultations dans plus de 100 rencontres communautaires. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463794\" data-originallang=\"en\">Nous pouvons toujours dire que nous pouvons faire davantage. Nous pourrions consacrer davantage d'argent \u00e0 la tenue de consultations. Nous pourrions prolonger ind\u00e9finiment ces consultations. Cependant, nous devons faire preuve de fermet\u00e9 et dire que cela suffit et que le temps est venu d'accorder \u00e0 ces personnes ce droit dont tous les autres Canadiens jouissent, un droit qu'ils ont parfois \u00e9t\u00e9 oblig\u00e9s de demander aux tribunaux de reconna\u00eetre, ce qui est malheureux. Par contre, \u00e0 tout le moins, ils ont des recours leur permettant de traiter ce probl\u00e8me qui se pose depuis longtemps au sein de leur collectivit\u00e9.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463795\" data-originallang=\"en\">J'invite les gens \u00e0 r\u00e9fl\u00e9chir \u00e0 cette question. Que devrait-on dire \u00e0 une femme des Premi\u00e8res nations qui cherche \u00e0 acc\u00e9der aux biens immobiliers matrimoniaux qu'elle et son \u00e9poux ont acquis au fil des ans? Elle pourrait dire, \u00ab Malheureusement, le mariage n'a pas tenu, mais j'ai le droit de garder la moiti\u00e9 des biens immobiliers matrimoniaux et de continuer ma vie, peut-\u00eatre dans une autre maison ou dans une autre situation et de m'occuper de mes enfants \u00bb.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1463796\" data-originallang=\"en\">Nous devons dire \u00e0 cette femme ou \u00e0 cet homme, \u00ab Nous sommes l\u00e0 pour vous aider. Nous ferons ce qu'il se doit au Parlement du Canada. Nous vous accorderons les droits dont jouissent les autres Canadiens \u00bb. Nous allons commencer aujourd'hui et nous agirons le plus rapidement possible.</p>"
    },
    "url": "/debates/2009/5/11/chuck-strahl-2/",
    "politician_url": "/politicians/chuck-strahl/",
    "politician_membership_url": "/politicians/memberships/1267/",
    "procedural": false,
    "source_id": "2757117",
    "h1": {
        "en": "Government Orders",
        "fr": ""
    },
    "h2": {
        "en": "Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act",
        "fr": ""
    },
    "document_url": "/debates/2009/5/11/",
    "related": {
        "document_speeches_url": "/speeches/?document=%2Fdebates%2F2009%2F5%2F11%2F"
    }
}