Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this past week Indigenous activists across Canada have raised their voices in frustration and anger over the ongoing effects of colonization in our country, and they have reinforced the clear message that there can be no peace or harmony unless there is justice.

We must all admit as a society that successive governments have tried, sometimes intentionally, sometimes in ignorance, to absorb Indigenous peoples into Canadian society, thus eliminating them as distinct peoples. Policies pursued over the decades have undermined and almost erased Indigenous cultures, identities, and languages. This was profoundly wrong, and it must be addressed by every government in Canada. To bring about this fundamental change, Canadians need to understand that Indigenous people are nations, and we must have a nation-to-nation relationship. That is why today I acknowledge the efforts of the Prime Minister of Canada and his intention to give new life to Section 35 of the Constitution Act, which recognizes and affirms Indigenous peoples' rights and treaty rights.

Instead of outright recognizing and affirming Indigenous rights, as we promised we would, Indigenous peoples were forced to prove time and time again through costly and drawn-out court challenges that their rights existed and must be recognized and implemented. A rethink of Indigenous rights will allow Indigenous peoples to pursue greater self-determination, with the ultimate goal of addressing entrenched economic and social problems in Indigenous communities. To that end, the federal government has said it will develop a new recognition and implementation of Indigenous rights framework through consultation with Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.

This will result in legislation that will be introduced later this year, with full implementation ahead of the next election, October 2019. I am pleased again to see the federal government supporting this important initiative and bringing us closer to reconciliation. Events like the tragic circumstances surrounding Colten Boushie remind us that there is still so much work to be done in our society, and to always listen to Indigenous people when they raise their voices around perceived injustice and real injustice that we see throughout our society. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.