Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In August of 1991 the federal government announced that it had earmarked $26.4 million, over the next five years, for aboriginal justice reform.
Later today, I will table a discussion paper prepared by the Honourable Kim Campbell, federal Minister of Justice, which outlines this initiative in detail. While it is an impressive sounding project, Mr. Speaker, I must express some serious concerns.
First, the initiative promises significant consultation on aboriginal justice issues between the federal government, native organizations, and provincial and territorial governments. However, the project has been underway for over a year, Mr. Speaker, and I have yet to hear about any consultation, involving communities at this grass roots level. Has federal and territorial consultations begun? Are they involving only the so called experts in our senior bureaucracy? I will be calling on our Minister of Justice to clarify this.
I have a further concern about this federal initiative as well. This relates to the appointment of Don Avison, as the Director of the Council for Aboriginal Justice Administration. Honourable Members will recall that he was the Crown Prosecutor who ordered the arrest and detention of Kitty Nowdluk Reynolds.
Ms. Nowdluk was a victim of rape who was shamefully jailed and transported across Canada in handcuffs, something that would never have happened to a white woman. When questioned in the House of Commons, the federal Minister indicated that she felt that Mr. Avison was uniquely qualified to take the lead role in this aboriginal justice initiative. Based on his handling of the Kitty Nowdluk affair, I must disagree with this appointment. I am interested in learning more about how this decision was made.
I will have more to say on this topic at a later time, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.