HYER Seeks Consent : Creation of Lake Superior NMCA & Tabling of Truth And Reconciliation Commission Report
Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Bruce Hyer
OTTAWA, ON – Bruce Hyer, Deputy Leader of the Green Party of Canada and MP (Thunder Bay- Superior North) issued the following statement regarding two items that need to be passed before any possible resolution for Parliament to rise early.
“The first item is to pass Bill C-61 Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area Act. After eight years of waffling this government has at the last minute introduced ‘born-to-die’ legislation like C-61 as a token gesture. In 2007 the Prime Minister visited Nipigon in Thunder Bay – Superior North and promised the creation of and funding for the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area. Two years later in 2009 the Prime Minister again repeated the same promise, which encouraged the town of Nipigon to begin investing heavily in waterfront development.”
“After the Prime Minister’s press conferences, little has done to make this important project actually happen. After eight years of waiting, the town of Nipigon has yet to see money or the park. I have called upon the government to ask for unanimous consent to pass bill C-61 before the house rises.”
Also, Hyer said,“ It is unacceptable to consider going home early before the important findings within the TRC’s report are tabled in Parliament. The TRC findings provide an unprecedented accounting of our past mistakes; but, also an opportunity to atone. The report outlines recommendations for actions that touch all jurisdictions, all policy areas and all Canadians. These recommendations give us the means to work with aboriginal communities to begin to overcome the historical and ongoing injustices of brutal colonialism and cultural genocide. We can, and must, all take action to redress the legacy of residential schools and this starts with making sure the TRC findings are tabled in Parliament instead of going home early.”
MP Hyer concluded, “Before I am comfortable agreeing to rise early the house should seek unanimous consent to pass bill C-61 and the TRC’s report must be tabled in Parliament. We should not leave the important business of this house unfinished!”
