Thank you, Mr. Speaker and honourable Members. The long awaited Family Law Review report includes some recommendations on adoptions. I do not agree with everything in this report. However, it does recommend that in the case of departmental adoptions where children are older and have ties to their families or community, the courts should have the discretion not to sever all bonds, that access to the parents or other family members should be considered. I agree strongly with this recommendation.
I believe that the need for contact with some family or community is even more crucial for aboriginal children. Therefore I agree with a further recommendation which provides that in the case of a private or departmental adoption of a Dene or Metis aboriginal child, confidentiality will not apply unless the birth mother applies for it for a specific period of time.
Mr. Speaker, now that this report, which we waited over four years for, is completed, I trust the Minister of Justice will be moving quickly to bring all outdated family law legislation to current status which reflect and respect the needs, traditions and values of aboriginal people. It is time that our views were respected instead of ignored. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause