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Context: House Hansard - 286 - Feb/27/24

Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Pickering—Uxbridge, Lib.)

Feb/27/24 10:14:56 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today I rise to put forward a petition on behalf of Madame Rousseau and students at Uxbridge Secondary School. There are over 647 signatures. Madame Rousseau and her students learned about indigenous peoples in this country and want to bring to the government's attention the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. They specifically want to raise calls to action 2, 9 and 19, which call for data that is necessary to measure the completion of these legacy calls. They also point out call to action 30, which asks the government to eliminate the overrepresentation of indigenous peoples in prison. They want to ensure that the government is moving ahead with truth and reconciliation and these calls to action. I am very proud of the students in my riding at Uxbridge Secondary School to have raised this and brought it forward to our government.

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Context: House Hansard - 286 - Feb/27/24

Ms. Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands, GP)

Feb/27/24 2:00:30 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, while it is still February, let me rise and wish everyone a happy Black History Month. This is the 62nd Black heritage moment from British Columbia, where I want to celebrate an extraordinary Canadian, a Black Canadian of mixed heritage. His mother was Black and his father was Scottish. Sir James Douglas is generally called “the father of British Columbia”, and he was the first governor. He stood down thousands of armed miners coming up from the United States who wanted to kill indigenous people and grab their land. This is known as the Fraser Canyon War, and it happened in 1858. He was without an army, but he made it clear to those armed thugs, who had already killed indigenous people and raped their women, that they were no longer in the wild west; they were in a new place where there was rule of law. They would have to have licences to look for gold and they would have to put down their guns. Thanks to Sir James Douglas, who fought for British Columbia and fought for justice.

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Context: House Hansard - 286 - Feb/27/24

Mr. Jaime Battiste (Sydney—Victoria, Lib.)

Feb/27/24 2:20:33 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the significant contributions of indigenous tourism in Canada. Studies show that eight out of 10 Canadians are craving an authentic indigenous experience during their travels. Whether it be visiting a powwow, a local heritage park like Wanuskewin or Membertou, or taking a trip to Eskasoni's Goat Island cultural journeys, indigenous tourism continues to thrive in Canada. Indigenous tourism is an integral part of our tourism growth strategy, and we are proud to have launched the indigenous tourism fund. This $20-million investment is not only reviving this sector, but ensuring its sustainable growth. The world's largest indigenous tourism conference is being held in Ottawa this week to gather community leaders, entrepreneurs and partners dedicated to promoting and celebrating the vibrant world of indigenous tourism. Please join me in wishing them a productive conference and continued success in building a better Canada.

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Context: House Hansard - 286 - Feb/27/24

Mr. Ben Carr (Winnipeg South Centre, Lib.)

Feb/27/24 3:09:34 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, indigenous tourism has the power to create jobs, transform the tourism industry and advance reconciliation. It is worth over $1.2 billion and supports more than 30,000 jobs across the country. Last November, the Minister of Tourism announced the creation of the micro and small business stream of the indigenous tourism fund. Can the minister tell us how our government is supporting the indigenous tourism industry to ensure its sustainable growth?

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Context: House Hansard - 286 - Feb/27/24

Hon. Soraya Martinez Ferrada (Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, Lib.)

Feb/27/24 3:10:13 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. The tourism fund is about empowering indigenous peoples to advance economic reconciliation. At the international indigenous tourism conference today, the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada and our government announced more than 79 projects. Unlike the Conservatives, who want to cut the indigenous tourism fund, we on this side of the House believe in its future. As a government, we will always support indigenous tourism. We will always support indigenous communities in making their own decisions, choosing their own paths and growing their tourism sector at their own pace.

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