Romeo Saganash

Abitibi-Baie-James-Nunavik-Eeyou, QC - NDP
Sentiment

Total speeches : 105
Positive speeches : 71
Negative speeches : 27
Neutral speeches : 7
Percentage negative : 25.71 %
Percentage positive : 67.62 %
Percentage neutral : 6.67 %

Most toxic speeches

1. Romeo Saganash - 2018-09-25
Toxicity : 0.607978
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Mr. Speaker, when the Prime Minister insists that this pipeline expansion will be done no matter what and his minister adds that Canada will not be able to accommodate all indigenous concerns, it means they have decided to willfully violate their constitutional duties and obligations. It sounds like a most important relationship, does it not?Why does the Prime Minister not just say the truth and tell indigenous peoples that he does not give a fuck about their rights?
2. Romeo Saganash - 2017-02-01
Toxicity : 0.505151
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Mr. Speaker, Marcia Brown Martel was taken from her indigenous birth parents, declared dead, and handed over to be adopted by non-indigenous parents. The removal of children to eliminate their race is an act of genocide. Over 20,000 survivors of the Sixties Scoop are now seeking justice. The minister has declared that her government will be “adversaries no more”. Well, if so, when will her government stop fighting them in court and make reparations for these despicable historic wrongs?
3. Romeo Saganash - 2016-12-14
Toxicity : 0.442407
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Mr. Speaker, for more than a year now, the Prime Minister has been talking about how important the relationship with indigenous peoples is. For more than a year now, I have been rising in the House to ask why the government is not really sending that same message to first nations.This morning, we learned that survivors of St. Anne residential school, where there was an electric chair and children were forced to eat their own vomit, have to go to court to fight for compensation and to ensure they will not have to cover the government's legal costs. That is what I call disgusting and despicable.When will this government start walking the talk?
4. Romeo Saganash - 2017-11-30
Toxicity : 0.389163
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Mr. Speaker, the Liberals agreed to the proposed changes to eliminate sex-based discrimination from the Indian Act, but they will do so only after holding consultations. Indigenous women have been clear from day one that sex-based discrimination should have been eliminated long ago.Although Bill S-3 corrects some parts of the Indian Act as ordered by the court, does the minister acknowledge that the bill fails to eliminate all sex-based inequalities?
5. Romeo Saganash - 2018-10-18
Toxicity : 0.372452
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Mr. Speaker, sadly, I get the impression that the Liberals and the Conservatives are cut from the same cloth. Stephen Harper stood before the G20 and announced with a straight face that Canada had no history of colonialism. Now, the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism claims that there is no racism in Canada. Good grief.Does he realize how many people he just insulted?Allow me to give the minister an opportunity to admit he was wrong, to admit he made a mistake, that he screwed up, and say “I'm sorry”.
6. Romeo Saganash - 2017-04-07
Toxicity : 0.369561
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Mr. Speaker, almost one month ago, Senator Beyak made despicable comments about residential schools. Now she is complaining that her freedom of speech is under threat because not everyone agrees with her comments.She said that residential schools were a good thing. Genocide will never be a good thing. This senator has shown that she does not deserve her Senate seat.Will the government join me in asking for Senator Beyak's resignation?
7. Romeo Saganash - 2017-10-03
Toxicity : 0.345239
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Mr. Speaker, the Liberals can hardly speak about reconciliation when they decide to exclude the indigenous women from our national conversation.Yesterday, the minister could not explain why government lawyers asked the court to award the compensation that residential school survivors were unjustly denied. I have a simple question for the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.Now that she has all of the information, will she ask her Justice colleague to stop challenging survivors in court?Who told this government to withhold information about a child predator?
8. Romeo Saganash - 2016-10-18
Toxicity : 0.344313
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Mr. Speaker, Inuit and their Innu supporters in Labrador are raising serious concerns about the impacts of flooding at Muskrat Falls. The failure to clear vegetation threatens to poison their waters, and the situation is escalating. Yesterday, nine people were arrested, including elders, and two are on hunger strikes. The Liberals said they would bring renewed respect to relations with indigenous peoples. They need to walk the talk.What is the government doing to address the situation at Muskrat Falls?
9. Romeo Saganash - 2016-06-08
Toxicity : 0.322318
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Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Human Rights Watch released a damning report on access to drinking water in indigenous communities.The organization believes this issue is the direct result of discrimination against first nations in this country. There are no regulations and there is a flagrant lack of oversight. People's health is being put at risk, and this is a violation of their human rights. Can the government share its plan to put an end to this inhumane crisis, which has been going on for far too long?
10. Romeo Saganash - 2017-03-09
Toxicity : 0.321587
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister for her comments. I too was shocked and disgusted when I heard the senator's remarks. Residential schools sought to forcibly remove me from my family, culture, language, and land with the clearly expressed goal of wiping me out. In other words, the Indian residential schools were a genocide. There is never a good or justified side to genocide.I know that the minister joins me in condemning these remarks, but that is not enough. Will the minister join me in calling for the senator's immediate resignation?
11. Romeo Saganash - 2017-05-05
Toxicity : 0.321388
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Some progress perhaps, Madam Speaker, but boil water advisories have been added since the Liberals took power.This week, Algonquin artist Samian denounced the Prime Minister's role and responsibility in violating the basic right to drinking water. Some progress is not enough.When will the government stop making pretty speeches and guarantee all indigenous communities access to clean drinking water?
12. Romeo Saganash - 2016-01-27
Toxicity : 0.313472
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Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal delivered a historic ruling, finding that the federal government practised systematic discrimination against indigenous children. It is time to implement that ruling and rectify this injustice.My question is simple and is for the Minister of Finance. Will the budget include the funding necessary to put an end to that discrimination?
13. Romeo Saganash - 2016-10-24
Toxicity : 0.306501
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Mr. Speaker, while severe concerns are being raised about mercury poisoning from the Muskrat Falls dam, the response from the member for St. John's East was, not to worry, just eat less fish.The answer is shameful and goes against the Prime Minister's own commitment to indigenous peoples.The Nunatsiavut government is asking that the project be delayed until these issues are addressed. Is the government prepared to listen? Does the government propose to uphold its constitutional duty to the Inuit of Labrador?
14. Romeo Saganash - 2017-02-02
Toxicity : 0.305463
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Mr. Speaker, guess what? Just one day after announcing that the government was finally putting an end to all Sixties Scoop litigation, the government was in court to argue against the case of Marcia Brown.My question is very simple: will the minister immediately put an end to the government's legal defence and recognize that Canada has, and has always had, a duty to protect the cultural identity of indigenous children?
15. Romeo Saganash - 2016-04-11
Toxicity : 0.299112
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Mr. Speaker, let us go from Bay Street to Attawapiskat. The chief of Attawapiskat was once again forced to declare a state of emergency on Saturday, following a rash of suicide attempts by young people in his community. While the Prime Minister talks about how saddened he is by the situation, the fact is that it is getting worse and nothing is being done about it. The government refused to conduct an inquiry, and requests for mental heath services are often denied. The government is turning its back on young people.When will the government take action and put an end to this tragedy?
16. Romeo Saganash - 2017-03-20
Toxicity : 0.298242
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Mr. Speaker, the national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls was launched last year. However, I believe that actions speak louder than words. To date, the commissioners have not even met with the families of the missing and murdered women. Today we learned that the commission has the names of only 90 participants. Why?Why has the process not been announced yet? Why do the victims' families have to find the information themselves? The minister must ensure that all victims' families will be heard.
17. Romeo Saganash - 2017-06-09
Toxicity : 0.289897
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Mr. Speaker, there is a proposal before us to remove gender and other discrimination from the Indian Act. This is one of the many long injustices faced by indigenous peoples in Canada. If one was to guess that with a self-proclaimed feminist Prime Minister it should be no problem, then one would be wrong. The Liberal government is arguing that it needs more time to consult before acting.Are there any other people in this country we would need to consult before they could be entitled to their human rights? Because if not, that is racism
18. Romeo Saganash - 2018-12-10
Toxicity : 0.277595
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Mr. Speaker, doing nothing is condoning the practice right now. The UN Committee against Torture urges Canada to stop sterilization of indigenous women by ensuring that all allegations of forced sterilization are investigated, by holding accountable the persons responsible, by providing redress to the victims and by adopting legislative policy and measures to outlaw forced sterilization.My question is simple: Will the minister implement the UN recommendations?
19. Romeo Saganash - 2016-02-19
Toxicity : 0.277399
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Mr. Speaker, harassment within the RCMP is once again making headlines.Things are supposedly under control, but the problem is clearly systemic. Furthermore, the RCMP seems incapable of handling its internal complaints in a fair manner. There is no respect for victims, allegations are not taken seriously, and punishments are laughable.When will the government demand that the RCMP take things seriously?
20. Romeo Saganash - 2017-02-08
Toxicity : 0.264224
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Mr. Speaker, the Liberal family seems to be suffering from a terrible epidemic of broken promises. The minister likes to repeat that her government will be adversaries no more. Well, she needs to explain why her government, after announcing negotiations for a national settlement on the Sixties Scoop, is still fighting in court, even trying to stall the decision in the Marcia Brown case. These survivors have already fought for eight years. How can the minister justify more delays?
21. Romeo Saganash - 2017-02-23
Toxicity : 0.260898
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Mr. Speaker, 10 years ago, the AFN and Cindy Blackstock filed a human rights complaint against the federal government to end racial discrimination against first nations kids. Today, at committee, the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs told us that the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal was not the court of law, therefore implying that the government did not need to respect the tribunal. All indigenous children have the right to a healthy childhood. Therefore, when will the government do the right thing and stop discriminating against first nations children?
22. Romeo Saganash - 2019-01-28
Toxicity : 0.253623
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Mr. Speaker, the United Nations Human Rights Committee ruled that Canada must eliminate all forms of discrimination that indigenous women face under the Indian Act. We had that debate two years ago and the government's term is coming to an end.Will the Prime Minister finally keep the promise he made four years ago and repeal all legislation unilaterally imposed on first nations?
23. Romeo Saganash - 2016-10-19
Toxicity : 0.250603
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Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said that no relationship was more important than the relationship with first nations, but I am here today to say how deeply disappointed they are.For one thing, instead of eliminating racial discrimination against first nations children, he is still fighting them in court. Even with a $30-billion deficit, he could not come up with the $130 million needed right now to help the most vulnerable children in Canada. It is unbelievable.Is that really what the Prime Minister's most important relationship looks like?
24. Romeo Saganash - 2016-06-10
Toxicity : 0.249919
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Mr. Speaker, last month in New York, the Liberals promised to fully implement and adopt the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The TRC's call to action number 43 calls on the government to do the same.Here is the good news. Bill C-262 would implement both that promise and that call to action.The question becomes very simple. Will the Liberals support my bill or will that become just another broken promise?
25. Romeo Saganash - 2018-05-25
Toxicity : 0.248705
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Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister promised indigenous peoples that he would honour and protect their rights. He repeated those promises on the world stage saying that he would honour the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.What have we seen in the past three years? There have been bogus consultations, secret agreements, and blank cheques for Kinder Morgan.Which relationship is more important, the one with Kinder Morgan, or the one with indigenous peoples?
26. Romeo Saganash - 2016-10-05
Toxicity : 0.245506
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Mr. Speaker, at the time, the Minister of Justice was on the same side as the Assembly of First Nations in the fight to put an end to systemic discrimination against first nations children.One has to wonder what happened between October 19 and 20, 2015, because the minister is now unrecognizable. I am giving her another chance to do something other than adopt the old, woefully unacceptable plan presented by Stephen Harper.Can the minister tell us whether her government intends to fulfill its legal obligation to first nations children?
27. Romeo Saganash - 2017-02-10
Toxicity : 0.240592
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Mr. Speaker, the Liberals promised to lift all 130 of them, not just 18.This week the commissioners charged with overseeing the inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women suggested that it was up to the families to decide whether to participate in the inquiry.I have to wonder how many families know that it is up to them to contact the officials involved in the inquiry in order to participate. We have heard stories about how frustrated and confused the families are feeling.Can the minister explain to us the changes that have been made to the inquiry process, in the spirit of greater transparency and inclusivity?
28. Romeo Saganash - 2016-05-11
Toxicity : 0.236173
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Mr. Speaker, the Liberals say that reconciliation with the indigenous peoples is one of their top priorities.However, today, the Department of Justice is in court to fight against a survivor of the St. Anne's Indian Residential School, whose history is nothing short of revolting. Allegedly, the federal government deliberately hid documents proving the abuse that the victim suffered. The victim was denied compensation for lack of evidence.How does the minister justify opposing this survivor's right to a new hearing?
29. Romeo Saganash - 2016-09-20
Toxicity : 0.232577
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Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is at the UN, where two of his ministers recently promised to implement the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.How can this be the same government that approved the permits for the Site C hydroelectric dam without consulting indigenous peoples?The Minister of Justice has a constitutional obligation to ensure that indigenous peoples are consulted before those permits are issued. Is this what the new nation-to-nation relationship means to this government, violating the rights of indigenous peoples in such a careless manner on this issue?
30. Romeo Saganash - 2018-09-27
Toxicity : 0.230949
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Mr. Speaker, I want everyone here to understand that I do not appreciate having my rights explained to me in this place by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister and the government have made it every clear to me that they do not understand our rights.Let me ask again. Will the Prime Minister commit today to having his full cabinet sit with indigenous knowledge keepers and learn what free, prior and informed consent really means?
31. Romeo Saganash - 2017-10-06
Toxicity : 0.22831
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Mr. Speaker, speaking on this topic earlier today, the minister said, and I quote, “I don't know what people were thinking”.That is precisely what I want to ask her. Unfortunately, discrimination against indigenous children is still happening as we speak. The Liberals are not complying with the three orders of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal.Will the government learn from this legal battle against survivors of the sixties scoop, end the systemic discrimination against indigenous children, and stop fighting children in court?
32. Romeo Saganash - 2017-02-13
Toxicity : 0.228287
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Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is Have a Heart Day on Parliament Hill. The purpose of this day is to ensure that all children have the services they need and are entitled to, yet the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal found the government guilty of systemic discrimination against first nations children. When will the minister walk the talk to end this discrimination?Another 12-year-old girl took her own life this past weekend. How do those people sleep at night?
33. Romeo Saganash - 2018-04-17
Toxicity : 0.225906
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Mr. Speaker, indigenous opposition to Kinder Morgan's pipeline expansion is strong, it is growing, and several first nations have already taken the government to court for having violated its constitutional duty to consult. It is a sad day when, despite lofty rhetoric, the government also is ignoring its constitutional obligations. The government wants to talk about the rule of law. How about respecting section 35 of the Constitution? How about respecting the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples' free, prior, and informed consent? Whatever happened to that most important relationship with indigenous peoples?
34. Romeo Saganash - 2018-11-19
Toxicity : 0.221966
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Mr. Speaker, the forced sterilization of women is still happening in other parts of the world, and believe it or not, it is also still happening here in Canada to indigenous women.Article 22.2 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples requires that all states take measures to ensure that indigenous women enjoy full protection against all forms of violence and discrimination.Will the Liberals launch an inquiry to put an end to this situation and make restitution for the harm done to the victims and their families?
35. Romeo Saganash - 2016-01-28
Toxicity : 0.214522
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Mr. Speaker, the federal government systematically discriminated against indigenous children for years. In order to implement this week's decision, the government must take meaningful action immediately. We need to see an entire cultural shift in all government institutions. Other cases are still before the courts regarding access to education and health care.What specific actions has the government taken since Tuesday to finally respect the rights of indigenous children?
36. Romeo Saganash - 2016-02-03
Toxicity : 0.213424
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Mr. Speaker, today we learned that 1,000 compensation claims for harm caused at residential schools were rejected because of a technical administrative error.This attitude flies in the face of reconciliation. Parliament did in fact offer an official apology. The victims have suffered enough. The government has to follow through on its intentions.What does the Minister of Justice intend to do to correct this shameful situation?
37. Romeo Saganash - 2016-09-19
Toxicity : 0.208538
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Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government was elected with a promise to build a new nation-to-nation relationship, so why is it still discriminating against first nations children?The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal found the government guilty of discrimination, but it is still failing to comply with the tribunal's order.My question is simple: how can the Prime Minister, the Minister of Youth, justify systematic discrimination against indigenous children in 2016?
38. Romeo Saganash - 2016-10-31
Toxicity : 0.207036
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Mr. Speaker, I did not hear an answer. Without a deadline, it is all just hot air.In 2007, the Liberals voted for our motion on Jordan's principle. Now the Liberals are in power, and even after two court orders, the children are still waiting. They cannot and must not wait any longer. Therefore, I will repeat my question: what deadline has the government set for putting an end to this discrimination?
39. Romeo Saganash - 2018-09-27
Toxicity : 0.206487
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Wow, Mr. Speaker, it is becoming a file-to-file relationship.The Prime Minister committed to obtain the free, prior and informed consent of first nations. However, he is determined to move forward with this pipeline that the first nations reject. Reconciliation is not just an empty word. It requires true understanding. Will the Prime Minister commit today to have his full cabinet sit with indigenous knowledge keepers to learn what free and informed consent really means?
40. Romeo Saganash - 2016-10-03
Toxicity : 0.206099
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Mr. Speaker, in January, the government was found guilty of systemic discrimination against first nations children, yet the government continues to fight those children in court and ignore not one, but two compliance orders to protect those children.Today we learned that the government never came up with a response to the court and that it just went ahead with an unacceptable old Stephen Harper plan.Why does the minister think this plan satisfied her legal obligations?
41. Romeo Saganash - 2017-01-30
Toxicity : 0.204
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Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has clearly shown just how out of touch he is with the needs of indigenous youth. The priority of youth is not canoes, but rather adequate and equitable services.My question is very simple: when will the government finally comply with the decision of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal and the unanimous motion of the House and immediately invest the required $155 million?
42. Romeo Saganash - 2017-09-21
Toxicity : 0.201694
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Mr. Speaker, the problem has already been identified, but without a clear plan from the government, its five-year objective will not be met.Let us not forget that this same Prime Minister, who delivered a speech this morning, continues to fight against first nations children, even after one ruling and three orders handed down by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. After two years of fine speeches, it is time to act. Can the government confirm that it will support Bill C-262 on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples?
43. Romeo Saganash - 2018-02-02
Toxicity : 0.201621
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Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal issued its fourth non-compliance order for discrimination against indigenous children. This has been going on for two years, and we have seen $1 million in legal fees, four compliance orders, and one opposition motion in the House. In the true spirit of reconciliation, will the government finally restore balance and put an end to this discrimination once and for all?
44. Romeo Saganash - 2017-10-06
Toxicity : 0.200375
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Mr. Speaker, eight months after Canada was found liable for failing to protect survivors of the sixties scoop from losing their cultural identity, the Liberals are finally settling with survivors. Unfortunately, a lot of work is still needed. Survivors have said that money alone cannot compensate for what they lost.Will the government learn from this lesson and stop fighting first nations children, for instance, or settle other outstanding claims, like with the Experimental Eskimos?
45. Romeo Saganash - 2018-09-25
Toxicity : 0.196513
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Mr. Speaker, what is going on right now is so insulting that it is making my blood boil. I am sorry. I withdraw that word. I am truly sorry.
46. Romeo Saganash - 2018-05-10
Toxicity : 0.194273
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Mr. Speaker, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs withdrew from the process of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. They felt that the incomplete hearings and the process did not allow for a comprehensive review of the systems that contributed to the violence committed against indigenous women and girls. This is an extremely serious development. Everyone, except the minister responsible, apparently, saw this coming.Now, how are these women, families, indigenous communities going to heal and move forward?
47. Romeo Saganash - 2016-01-25
Toxicity : 0.191991
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Mr. Speaker, today we are in mourning and we offer our sincere condolences to the community of La Loche.We must do more, though. Too many young people in our northern communities are growing up without hope, and they need support. The Conservatives blithely made cuts to health care services. Now, Health Canada is regularly turning down requests for mental health services for first nations, even though these services are available to other Canadians.Will the minister put an end to this discrimination and finally help those who need these services?
48. Romeo Saganash - 2016-12-09
Toxicity : 0.191659
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Mr. Speaker, once again the indigenous community has been excluded from the main discussion of provincial premiers on climate change. This blatant lack of respect flies in the face of the Prime Minister's promise to establish a new relationship with indigenous peoples. They are directly affected by climate change.Why have they not been invited to participate fully in the meetings on such a crucial issue?
49. Romeo Saganash - 2017-12-13
Toxicity : 0.185865
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Mr. Speaker, speaking of survivors, those of St. Anne's residential school have been forced to go back to court to end interference by government lawyers.The Liberals have been fighting those survivors for years by covering up documents and forcing them to find witnesses to verify evidence, and now the Liberals want them to pay for court costs. This is a re-victimization of survivors who have suffered horrific levels of abuse. When will the government commit to real partnership with survivors? If I was asked, I would say that this does not seem like a real partnership.
50. Romeo Saganash - 2016-03-09
Toxicity : 0.185809
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Mr. Speaker, the residential schools tragedy is still a burden for so many people. For example, a survivor of St. Anne's residential school in northern Ontario is seeking justice, but he is being thwarted by Justice Department lawyers who knowingly, yes, knowingly, withheld documents that would have helped his case. That is not only unacceptable, it is appalling. Will the Minister of Justice order her officials to stop denying this survivor's legitimate requests and to stop obstructing justice?

Most negative speeches

1. Romeo Saganash - 2018-09-25
Polarity : -0.428571
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Mr. Speaker, what is going on right now is so insulting that it is making my blood boil. I am sorry. I withdraw that word. I am truly sorry.
2. Romeo Saganash - 2017-02-08
Polarity : -0.2875
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Mr. Speaker, the Liberal family seems to be suffering from a terrible epidemic of broken promises. The minister likes to repeat that her government will be adversaries no more. Well, she needs to explain why her government, after announcing negotiations for a national settlement on the Sixties Scoop, is still fighting in court, even trying to stall the decision in the Marcia Brown case. These survivors have already fought for eight years. How can the minister justify more delays?
3. Romeo Saganash - 2016-04-19
Polarity : -0.225
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Mr. Speaker, for the victims, the obligations imposed on the Catholic Church were part of the justice and healing process.Because of a government error, the church can now shirk its obligations. We simply cannot abandon the survivors and their families yet again, for they are still living with the painful legacy of residential schools.Will the government make a firm commitment today that the victims will receive the compensation they were promised?
4. Romeo Saganash - 2016-10-18
Polarity : -0.183333
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Mr. Speaker, Inuit and their Innu supporters in Labrador are raising serious concerns about the impacts of flooding at Muskrat Falls. The failure to clear vegetation threatens to poison their waters, and the situation is escalating. Yesterday, nine people were arrested, including elders, and two are on hunger strikes. The Liberals said they would bring renewed respect to relations with indigenous peoples. They need to walk the talk.What is the government doing to address the situation at Muskrat Falls?
5. Romeo Saganash - 2017-12-13
Polarity : -0.18
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Mr. Speaker, speaking of survivors, those of St. Anne's residential school have been forced to go back to court to end interference by government lawyers.The Liberals have been fighting those survivors for years by covering up documents and forcing them to find witnesses to verify evidence, and now the Liberals want them to pay for court costs. This is a re-victimization of survivors who have suffered horrific levels of abuse. When will the government commit to real partnership with survivors? If I was asked, I would say that this does not seem like a real partnership.
6. Romeo Saganash - 2017-06-12
Polarity : -0.166667
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Mr. Speaker, I am sure you will agree that respect in the House must be a priority for all members, and that includes the Prime Minister. During question period, the Prime Minister said that adopting the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples would be tantamount to imposing something on indigenous peoples in this country.Will the Prime Minister rise to withdraw that insulting statement that suggests that there is anything wrong with simply respecting indigenous human rights in this country? We are all bound by the rule of law in this chamber. To even suggest that the rights of indigenous peoples are subject to debate is troublesome, especially coming from the Prime Minister of Canada.
7. Romeo Saganash - 2017-02-01
Polarity : -0.15
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Mr. Speaker, Marcia Brown Martel was taken from her indigenous birth parents, declared dead, and handed over to be adopted by non-indigenous parents. The removal of children to eliminate their race is an act of genocide. Over 20,000 survivors of the Sixties Scoop are now seeking justice. The minister has declared that her government will be “adversaries no more”. Well, if so, when will her government stop fighting them in court and make reparations for these despicable historic wrongs?
8. Romeo Saganash - 2017-03-09
Polarity : -0.146875
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister for her comments. I too was shocked and disgusted when I heard the senator's remarks. Residential schools sought to forcibly remove me from my family, culture, language, and land with the clearly expressed goal of wiping me out. In other words, the Indian residential schools were a genocide. There is never a good or justified side to genocide.I know that the minister joins me in condemning these remarks, but that is not enough. Will the minister join me in calling for the senator's immediate resignation?
9. Romeo Saganash - 2017-11-30
Polarity : -0.1125
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Mr. Speaker, the Liberals agreed to the proposed changes to eliminate sex-based discrimination from the Indian Act, but they will do so only after holding consultations. Indigenous women have been clear from day one that sex-based discrimination should have been eliminated long ago.Although Bill S-3 corrects some parts of the Indian Act as ordered by the court, does the minister acknowledge that the bill fails to eliminate all sex-based inequalities?
10. Romeo Saganash - 2017-03-20
Polarity : -0.1
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Mr. Speaker, the national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls was launched last year. However, I believe that actions speak louder than words. To date, the commissioners have not even met with the families of the missing and murdered women. Today we learned that the commission has the names of only 90 participants. Why?Why has the process not been announced yet? Why do the victims' families have to find the information themselves? The minister must ensure that all victims' families will be heard.
11. Romeo Saganash - 2016-04-12
Polarity : -0.0861111
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Mr. Speaker, this evening, we are going to debate how we can put an end to the crisis in Attawapiskat.The community had been trying for months to alert the federal government before it finally received emergency mental health services.However, other communities, such as Cross Lake, Manitoba, are also facing similar crises, and my thoughts are with the young people in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik, who are also having a very difficult time. I think everyone will agree that this is a national concern.Can the minister tell us what the government plans to do to finally put an end to this tragedy once and for all?
12. Romeo Saganash - 2018-11-30
Polarity : -0.08
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Mr. Speaker, the housing crisis in the north is so severe that Nunavik alone needs 1,000 houses, today alone. It is a serious problem. The lack of housing leads to social challenges, marginalization and mental health problems. A woman recently died in my riding after losing her home. The UN declaration directs Canada to ensure the well-being of indigenous elders, women, youth and children.The Inuit want to know. Will the Prime Minister call a state of emergency to finally address the housing crisis?
13. Romeo Saganash - 2016-09-20
Polarity : -0.0727273
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Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is at the UN, where two of his ministers recently promised to implement the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.How can this be the same government that approved the permits for the Site C hydroelectric dam without consulting indigenous peoples?The Minister of Justice has a constitutional obligation to ensure that indigenous peoples are consulted before those permits are issued. Is this what the new nation-to-nation relationship means to this government, violating the rights of indigenous peoples in such a careless manner on this issue?
14. Romeo Saganash - 2016-06-08
Polarity : -0.0714286
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Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Human Rights Watch released a damning report on access to drinking water in indigenous communities.The organization believes this issue is the direct result of discrimination against first nations in this country. There are no regulations and there is a flagrant lack of oversight. People's health is being put at risk, and this is a violation of their human rights. Can the government share its plan to put an end to this inhumane crisis, which has been going on for far too long?
15. Romeo Saganash - 2018-05-10
Polarity : -0.0708333
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Mr. Speaker, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs withdrew from the process of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. They felt that the incomplete hearings and the process did not allow for a comprehensive review of the systems that contributed to the violence committed against indigenous women and girls. This is an extremely serious development. Everyone, except the minister responsible, apparently, saw this coming.Now, how are these women, families, indigenous communities going to heal and move forward?
16. Romeo Saganash - 2019-01-28
Polarity : -0.0625
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Mr. Speaker, the United Nations Human Rights Committee ruled that Canada must eliminate all forms of discrimination that indigenous women face under the Indian Act. We had that debate two years ago and the government's term is coming to an end.Will the Prime Minister finally keep the promise he made four years ago and repeal all legislation unilaterally imposed on first nations?
17. Romeo Saganash - 2016-09-30
Polarity : -0.0625
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Madam Speaker, there will be no reconciliation without justice in this country. To achieve that, the government has to stop forcing residential school survivors to fight in court to get their compensation.The Minister of Justice has to get rid of the endless procedural red tape that her department is imposing on residential school survivors. On this day of recognition of residential school survivors, will the minister commit to doing that?
18. Romeo Saganash - 2016-04-11
Polarity : -0.0625
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Mr. Speaker, let us go from Bay Street to Attawapiskat. The chief of Attawapiskat was once again forced to declare a state of emergency on Saturday, following a rash of suicide attempts by young people in his community. While the Prime Minister talks about how saddened he is by the situation, the fact is that it is getting worse and nothing is being done about it. The government refused to conduct an inquiry, and requests for mental heath services are often denied. The government is turning its back on young people.When will the government take action and put an end to this tragedy?
19. Romeo Saganash - 2017-02-10
Polarity : -0.06
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Mr. Speaker, the Liberals promised to lift all 130 of them, not just 18.This week the commissioners charged with overseeing the inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women suggested that it was up to the families to decide whether to participate in the inquiry.I have to wonder how many families know that it is up to them to contact the officials involved in the inquiry in order to participate. We have heard stories about how frustrated and confused the families are feeling.Can the minister explain to us the changes that have been made to the inquiry process, in the spirit of greater transparency and inclusivity?
20. Romeo Saganash - 2016-04-20
Polarity : -0.0570707
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Mr. Speaker, we hope that the people of Attawapiskat can start to look to the future after some very difficult years. We commend the minister's commitment to build a youth centre and allocate resources for cultural programs. However, the budget does not contain any new investments for mental health services for indigenous young people. Furthermore, Health Canada does not have enough staff to meet the needs.My question is simple. Will the minister commit to immediately increase funding for mental health services?
21. Romeo Saganash - 2017-02-24
Polarity : -0.0491667
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Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the minister said that the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal was not a court of law. As the main estimates tabled yesterday confirm, the government has yet to uphold the tribunal's ruling. The government is still refusing to comply with the ruling to end discrimination against indigenous children.If the government thinks it has no legal obligation toward the tribunal's ruling, then what does that mean for all the cases currently before the tribunal and for Canada's Constitution? What happened to the honour of the crown with this Liberal government?
22. Romeo Saganash - 2018-12-10
Polarity : -0.0228571
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Mr. Speaker, doing nothing is condoning the practice right now. The UN Committee against Torture urges Canada to stop sterilization of indigenous women by ensuring that all allegations of forced sterilization are investigated, by holding accountable the persons responsible, by providing redress to the victims and by adopting legislative policy and measures to outlaw forced sterilization.My question is simple: Will the minister implement the UN recommendations?
23. Romeo Saganash - 2016-09-19
Polarity : -0.0227273
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Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government was elected with a promise to build a new nation-to-nation relationship, so why is it still discriminating against first nations children?The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal found the government guilty of discrimination, but it is still failing to comply with the tribunal's order.My question is simple: how can the Prime Minister, the Minister of Youth, justify systematic discrimination against indigenous children in 2016?
24. Romeo Saganash - 2016-12-09
Polarity : -0.0161616
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Mr. Speaker, once again the indigenous community has been excluded from the main discussion of provincial premiers on climate change. This blatant lack of respect flies in the face of the Prime Minister's promise to establish a new relationship with indigenous peoples. They are directly affected by climate change.Why have they not been invited to participate fully in the meetings on such a crucial issue?
25. Romeo Saganash - 2018-10-18
Polarity : -0.0142857
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Mr. Speaker, sadly, I get the impression that the Liberals and the Conservatives are cut from the same cloth. Stephen Harper stood before the G20 and announced with a straight face that Canada had no history of colonialism. Now, the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism claims that there is no racism in Canada. Good grief.Does he realize how many people he just insulted?Allow me to give the minister an opportunity to admit he was wrong, to admit he made a mistake, that he screwed up, and say “I'm sorry”.
26. Romeo Saganash - 2017-02-16
Polarity : -0.0125
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Mr. Speaker, today, along with other indigenous MPs, I call on the government to rename the building that houses the Prime Minister's Office. Langevin was one of the architects of the Indian residential school system. An apology means nothing if action does not remedy the injustice. Every day as I walk by that place, I am reminded of the man who dreamed up the school where I was sent purposely to sever the connection to my family, to my people. Will the government commit today in the House to change the name of this building?
27. Romeo Saganash - 2016-04-22
Polarity : -0.0102273
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Madam Speaker, six years ago, Canada endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Since then, little has been done to implement it.The bill I introduced yesterday for the second time would ensure that the laws of Canada are in harmony with the declaration. The Prime Minister gave his ministers a mandate to establish a new nation-to-nation relationship starting with the implementation of the declaration.My question is a simple one. Will the Liberals support my bill as they did when they were in opposition, or not?

Most positive speeches

1. Romeo Saganash - 2017-04-07
Polarity : 0.7
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Mr. Speaker, almost one month ago, Senator Beyak made despicable comments about residential schools. Now she is complaining that her freedom of speech is under threat because not everyone agrees with her comments.She said that residential schools were a good thing. Genocide will never be a good thing. This senator has shown that she does not deserve her Senate seat.Will the government join me in asking for Senator Beyak's resignation?
2. Romeo Saganash - 2018-05-31
Polarity : 0.5
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Mr. Speaker, yesterday was a remarkable day since my bill to ensure that our laws respect the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was passed. Yesterday, I also asked the Prime Minister whether his decision to impose a pipeline despite opposition from first nations upheld the honour of the crown. However, as we saw, he did not answer. Does this government believe that its approach to the pipeline respects the letter and the spirit of the declaration?
3. Romeo Saganash - 2016-09-27
Polarity : 0.5
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Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister made a solemn promise to achieve reconciliation with indigenous people. However, the Minister of Justice continues to undermine that commitment. The proceedings against residential school survivors are piling up at her department and she is challenging a court decision that found that survivors suffered a perverse miscarriage of justice.Can the minister tell us why she is breaking her government's promise to achieve reconciliation? Why is she continuing to fight in court against residential school survivors?
4. Romeo Saganash - 2018-05-30
Polarity : 0.433333
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Mr. Speaker, this afternoon there will be a vote on my bill to ensure that Canadian laws respect the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, a principle that the Prime Minister supported.This government has a fundamental constitutional obligation to uphold the honour of the Crown in its relations with the indigenous peoples.How does imposing the pipeline expansion despite strong and growing opposition from indigenous peoples uphold the honour of the Crown?
5. Romeo Saganash - 2018-05-25
Polarity : 0.35
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Mr. Speaker, in 2014, when the Conservatives used time allocation to limit debate on the Fair Elections Act, my hon. colleague from Winnipeg North said, “The Canada Elections Act is like no other....This legislation should be designated such that time allocation cannot be applied to it.”I do not get it. What has changed since 2014?
6. Romeo Saganash - 2018-05-24
Polarity : 0.3375
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Mr. Speaker, the rights of first nations are protected by our Constitution and by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. When the Columbia River Treaty was signed in 1964, these very nations were excluded from the negotiations. Now that the treaty is to be renegotiated, they are being told that they will again be ignored and excluded from the process. Why is that? Is it because the most important relationship that this government has is with indigenous peoples?
7. Romeo Saganash - 2017-09-21
Polarity : 0.305556
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Mr. Speaker, I listened to the Prime Minister's speech to the United Nations this afternoon with great interest. As usual, he spoke on how the nation-to-nation relationship was the most important to him. Yet I said those words, first nations are still under 172 drinking water advisories. This is up from 159 advisories from before he was elected.How can the Prime Minister keep claiming to the world that this is the most important relationship when in reality, he is letting them down?
8. Romeo Saganash - 2016-10-21
Polarity : 0.3
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Madam Speaker, the situation in Muskrat Falls continues to spiral out of control. The Nunatsiavut government is calling on the Prime Minister to immediately amend authorizations under the Fisheries Act in order to protect indigenous waterways and fishing zones.This government claims that no relationship is more important than the relationship with indigenous peoples. Now is the time for it to walk the talk.Will the government honour this simple request from the Nunatsiavut government and the member for Labrador?
9. Romeo Saganash - 2016-10-27
Polarity : 0.2625
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Mr. Speaker, today we are debating our motion to end discrimination against indigenous children.The Liberals say they have applied Jordan's principle, but the tribunal clearly told the government that it had to implement the complete definition of the principle. What is more, the House, including the Liberals, voted in favour of the definition in 2007.Will the minister stop paying lip service in the House and start implementing Jordan's principle in full?
10. Romeo Saganash - 2018-05-11
Polarity : 0.257937
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Mr. Speaker, despite what the parliamentary secretary is telling us today, this project has been strongly opposed by indigenous communities from the outset. The only answer the federal government will give them is that it did historic consultations. Those consultations were purely symbolic and were rigged in advance.What is the use of saying that its most important relationship is its relationship with indigenous communities if the government does not respect their fundamental rights under section 35 of our Constitution?
11. Romeo Saganash - 2018-09-25
Polarity : 0.25
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Mr. Speaker, when the Prime Minister insists that this pipeline expansion will be done no matter what and his minister adds that Canada will not be able to accommodate all indigenous concerns, it means they have decided to willfully violate their constitutional duties and obligations. It sounds like a most important relationship, does it not?Why does the Prime Minister not just say the truth and tell indigenous peoples that he does not give a fuck about their rights?
12. Romeo Saganash - 2016-10-31
Polarity : 0.25
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Mr. Speaker, I did not hear an answer. Without a deadline, it is all just hot air.In 2007, the Liberals voted for our motion on Jordan's principle. Now the Liberals are in power, and even after two court orders, the children are still waiting. They cannot and must not wait any longer. Therefore, I will repeat my question: what deadline has the government set for putting an end to this discrimination?
13. Romeo Saganash - 2018-09-27
Polarity : 0.24375
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Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister committed to free, prior and informed consent on projects affecting indigenous peoples' rights, but he is determined to push ahead with the pipeline opposed by first nations. Reconciliation is not a talking point. It requires true understanding. Will the Prime Minister commit today to have his full cabinet sit with indigenous knowledge keepers to learn what free, prior and informed consent really means?
14. Romeo Saganash - 2018-09-27
Polarity : 0.240909
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Wow, Mr. Speaker, it is becoming a file-to-file relationship.The Prime Minister committed to obtain the free, prior and informed consent of first nations. However, he is determined to move forward with this pipeline that the first nations reject. Reconciliation is not just an empty word. It requires true understanding. Will the Prime Minister commit today to have his full cabinet sit with indigenous knowledge keepers to learn what free and informed consent really means?
15. Romeo Saganash - 2016-05-10
Polarity : 0.233333
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Mr. Speaker, yesterday and today the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs reiterated her government's intention to endorse the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. However, the government is rather short on details as to what that will look like.I am pleased to inform you, Mr. Speaker, that the work has already been done. My bill seeks to adopt and implement the declaration. The question therefore is very simple.Will the government support Bill C-262? A yes or no will suffice, by the way.
16. Romeo Saganash - 2018-10-03
Polarity : 0.230357
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Mr. Speaker, we believe that the Prime Minister must be true to his word. If he is prepared to recognize those who have the right to say yes to this project, he must recognize the equal right of others to say no to the pipeline project.Does the Prime Minister not recognize that consulting when the decision has already been made is not the type of consultation required by the Supreme Court of Canada?
17. Romeo Saganash - 2016-09-30
Polarity : 0.23
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Madam Speaker, today marks Orange Shirt Day, a day to honour residential school survivors, so let us recognize survivors who were left out of the residential school agreement. For example, the day scholars have a certified class action, and time is of the essence because plaintiffs are passing away. However, the government has refused to settle with them in good faith. In honour of Orange Shirt Day, will the Minister of Justice finally commit to true reconciliation and stop fighting survivors in court?
18. Romeo Saganash - 2017-05-05
Polarity : 0.225595
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Some progress perhaps, Madam Speaker, but boil water advisories have been added since the Liberals took power.This week, Algonquin artist Samian denounced the Prime Minister's role and responsibility in violating the basic right to drinking water. Some progress is not enough.When will the government stop making pretty speeches and guarantee all indigenous communities access to clean drinking water?
19. Romeo Saganash - 2016-06-17
Polarity : 0.221591
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Madam Speaker, this morning, Algonquin elders, supported by community members, are gathering on this Hill to remind parliamentarians of a sacred place near here.The Algonquins have asked politicians at all levels to respect our rights regarding important matters that affect our community, and yet the Zibi development project continues ahead.The government has committed to a new nation-to-nation relationship, so I would ask again, when will the government honour its promises and commitments to indigenous peoples, and move forward by supporting Bill C-262 to adopt and implement the UN declaration?
20. Romeo Saganash - 2016-10-28
Polarity : 0.21875
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Madam Speaker, the Prime Minister loves talking about nation-to-nation relationships. Clearly, however, his definition is different than ours. A real nation-to-nation relationship means respect, but it also means action. Instead of eliminating racial discrimination against first nations children, he prefers to question the numbers brought forward by experts like Cindy Blackstock.Is that really what the Prime Minister's most important relationship looks like?
21. Romeo Saganash - 2016-10-24
Polarity : 0.216667
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Mr. Speaker, while severe concerns are being raised about mercury poisoning from the Muskrat Falls dam, the response from the member for St. John's East was, not to worry, just eat less fish.The answer is shameful and goes against the Prime Minister's own commitment to indigenous peoples.The Nunatsiavut government is asking that the project be delayed until these issues are addressed. Is the government prepared to listen? Does the government propose to uphold its constitutional duty to the Inuit of Labrador?
22. Romeo Saganash - 2018-09-27
Polarity : 0.21
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Mr. Speaker, I want everyone here to understand that I do not appreciate having my rights explained to me in this place by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister and the government have made it every clear to me that they do not understand our rights.Let me ask again. Will the Prime Minister commit today to having his full cabinet sit with indigenous knowledge keepers and learn what free, prior and informed consent really means?
23. Romeo Saganash - 2018-04-30
Polarity : 0.21
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Mr. Speaker, there is growing evidence that the government had already approved the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion while it was publicly saying it was consulting with indigenous peoples.A first nations band in British Columbia has now submitted this evidence to the Federal Court of Appeal and plans to ask the court to order the government to produce all relevant documents.Will the government fight this out in court, or will it be fully transparent and release the relevant documents?
24. Romeo Saganash - 2018-05-11
Polarity : 0.201488
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Mr. Speaker, two first nations chiefs from British Columbia travelled to Texas for Kinder Morgan's annual meeting. With a single presentation, they succeeded in convincing Kinder Morgan's shareholders about this project's risks for their communities, leading the shareholders to demand more information on the environmental risks and standards of the project. The federal government has been somewhat less receptive.Why are indigenous communities getting more attention and action from Kinder Morgan's shareholders than from this government?
25. Romeo Saganash - 2017-10-20
Polarity : 0.2
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Mr. Speaker, the indigenous people of Canada, Mexico and the United States did not have much of a say in the initial NAFTA negotiations.The government made a commitment to include a chapter on the rights of indigenous people in their proposals. The concern, however, is that, in light of the Americans' demands, their fundamental rights will be ignored once again.Will the government commit to pursuing a chapter on indigenous rights during the NAFTA renegotiations?
26. Romeo Saganash - 2016-10-31
Polarity : 0.2
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Mr. Speaker, we were pleased to learn via Twitter this morning that, after seven months of legal battles and four days of attacks against Cindy Blackstock's expertise, the government plans to support our motion to put an end to discrimination against indigenous children.We are getting used to this government's empty rhetoric. I am therefore asking the Prime Minister this question: can he tell us what deadline he has set for implementing the will of Parliament?
27. Romeo Saganash - 2018-04-17
Polarity : 0.187037
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Mr. Speaker, indigenous opposition to Kinder Morgan's pipeline expansion is strong, it is growing, and several first nations have already taken the government to court for having violated its constitutional duty to consult. It is a sad day when, despite lofty rhetoric, the government also is ignoring its constitutional obligations. The government wants to talk about the rule of law. How about respecting section 35 of the Constitution? How about respecting the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples' free, prior, and informed consent? Whatever happened to that most important relationship with indigenous peoples?
28. Romeo Saganash - 2016-10-19
Polarity : 0.185065
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Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said that no relationship was more important than the relationship with first nations, but I am here today to say how deeply disappointed they are.For one thing, instead of eliminating racial discrimination against first nations children, he is still fighting them in court. Even with a $30-billion deficit, he could not come up with the $130 million needed right now to help the most vulnerable children in Canada. It is unbelievable.Is that really what the Prime Minister's most important relationship looks like?
29. Romeo Saganash - 2017-06-09
Polarity : 0.175
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Mr. Speaker, we are talking about eliminating discrimination immediately.We have a Prime Minister who claims to be a feminist and who says that a nation to nation relationship is his priority. However, the Liberal government claims it needs more time to conduct consultations before taking action on issues as important as fundamental rights. It is unbelievable.I will repeat my question. If any other group in Canada had to deal with such discrimination, would the Liberals still be in the process of holding consultations?
30. Romeo Saganash - 2016-01-25
Polarity : 0.16995
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Mr. Speaker, today we are in mourning and we offer our sincere condolences to the community of La Loche.We must do more, though. Too many young people in our northern communities are growing up without hope, and they need support. The Conservatives blithely made cuts to health care services. Now, Health Canada is regularly turning down requests for mental health services for first nations, even though these services are available to other Canadians.Will the minister put an end to this discrimination and finally help those who need these services?
31. Romeo Saganash - 2017-02-23
Polarity : 0.158929
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Mr. Speaker, 10 years ago, the AFN and Cindy Blackstock filed a human rights complaint against the federal government to end racial discrimination against first nations kids. Today, at committee, the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs told us that the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal was not the court of law, therefore implying that the government did not need to respect the tribunal. All indigenous children have the right to a healthy childhood. Therefore, when will the government do the right thing and stop discriminating against first nations children?
32. Romeo Saganash - 2016-10-05
Polarity : 0.132143
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Mr. Speaker, at the time, the Minister of Justice was on the same side as the Assembly of First Nations in the fight to put an end to systemic discrimination against first nations children.One has to wonder what happened between October 19 and 20, 2015, because the minister is now unrecognizable. I am giving her another chance to do something other than adopt the old, woefully unacceptable plan presented by Stephen Harper.Can the minister tell us whether her government intends to fulfill its legal obligation to first nations children?
33. Romeo Saganash - 2017-06-15
Polarity : 0.130833
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Mr. Speaker, when indigenous children were taken from their parents and placed with non-indigenous families, they were denied their rights and stripped of their identity. When the court ruled in their favour, the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs said she would never appeal, and many felt redeemed.Now the Minister of Justice continues to deny those survivors justice by appealing this decision. Will she withdraw her appeal and repair this serious breach of human rights against these survivors? There can be no reconciliation in this country in the absence of justice.
34. Romeo Saganash - 2018-05-03
Polarity : 0.13
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Mr. Speaker, one of the many promises the Liberals made to indigenous peoples was indigenous languages legislation. This announcement was made to the chief of the Assembly of First Nations nearly two years ago. Yes, it has been two years. A few days ago, a request for tenders showed up on the government's site to draft this legislation to promote and preserve indigenous languages.Can the Prime Minister assure us that this legislation will not be doomed to the same fate as his promise on electoral reform?
35. Romeo Saganash - 2018-04-30
Polarity : 0.125
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Mr. Speaker, I have negotiated agreements all my life, and memoranda of understanding and letters of understanding are not agreements. The government continues to insist that no relationship is more important to it than its relationship with indigenous peoples, but it is becoming increasingly clear that that is just eyewash. All the evidence indicates that the government had already made up its mind on Kinder Morgan before holding its phony consultations with indigenous communities.What is the point of section 35 of the Constitution if the government is acting in bad faith and has no intention of respecting the constitutional rights of indigenous peoples?
36. Romeo Saganash - 2016-10-07
Polarity : 0.125
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Mr. Speaker, this government promised to make education for first nations children a priority. The Department of Indigenous and Northern Affairs even presented a plan to the minister to help her government keep its promises, but she chose to ignore the department's recommendation. I asked the minister to justify her decision, but she did not give me an answer.I am going to try again. Can the minister explain why she chose to ignore that plan?Why does she continue to say one thing here and another outside the House?
37. Romeo Saganash - 2017-09-22
Polarity : 0.114583
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Mr. Speaker, there is a serious problem here.Commissioner Buller said, “I'm happy to share those [ideas about eliminating obstacles to the process] with the government if and when they ever ask.”How can it be that the government has never asked how it might help eliminate obstacles to the success of the inquiry? That is what we all want.When will the government stop paying lip service and actually do something to remove those obstacles in order to ensure the inquiry's success?
38. Romeo Saganash - 2018-02-02
Polarity : 0.11
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Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal issued its fourth non-compliance order for discrimination against indigenous children. This has been going on for two years, and we have seen $1 million in legal fees, four compliance orders, and one opposition motion in the House. In the true spirit of reconciliation, will the government finally restore balance and put an end to this discrimination once and for all?
39. Romeo Saganash - 2016-10-03
Polarity : 0.11
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Mr. Speaker, in January, the government was found guilty of systemic discrimination against first nations children, yet the government continues to fight those children in court and ignore not one, but two compliance orders to protect those children.Today we learned that the government never came up with a response to the court and that it just went ahead with an unacceptable old Stephen Harper plan.Why does the minister think this plan satisfied her legal obligations?
40. Romeo Saganash - 2016-12-14
Polarity : 0.105
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Mr. Speaker, for more than a year now, the Prime Minister has been talking about how important the relationship with indigenous peoples is. For more than a year now, I have been rising in the House to ask why the government is not really sending that same message to first nations.This morning, we learned that survivors of St. Anne residential school, where there was an electric chair and children were forced to eat their own vomit, have to go to court to fight for compensation and to ensure they will not have to cover the government's legal costs. That is what I call disgusting and despicable.When will this government start walking the talk?
41. Romeo Saganash - 2016-05-11
Polarity : 0.0960111
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Mr. Speaker, the Liberals say that reconciliation with the indigenous peoples is one of their top priorities.However, today, the Department of Justice is in court to fight against a survivor of the St. Anne's Indian Residential School, whose history is nothing short of revolting. Allegedly, the federal government deliberately hid documents proving the abuse that the victim suffered. The victim was denied compensation for lack of evidence.How does the minister justify opposing this survivor's right to a new hearing?
42. Romeo Saganash - 2016-11-01
Polarity : 0.0928571
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Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs has confirmed that she will vote in favour of our motion today, so that is a good thing.At the same time, she also said in an interview yesterday that the $155 million in additional funding that we are asking for and that is needed to address the underfunding of child welfare could actually have “really bad results”.Is the minister truly committed to implementing our motion, or is she supporting it simply to avoid embarrassment?
43. Romeo Saganash - 2016-06-10
Polarity : 0.0893939
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Mr. Speaker, last month in New York, the Liberals promised to fully implement and adopt the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The TRC's call to action number 43 calls on the government to do the same.Here is the good news. Bill C-262 would implement both that promise and that call to action.The question becomes very simple. Will the Liberals support my bill or will that become just another broken promise?
44. Romeo Saganash - 2017-09-21
Polarity : 0.0873016
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Mr. Speaker, the problem has already been identified, but without a clear plan from the government, its five-year objective will not be met.Let us not forget that this same Prime Minister, who delivered a speech this morning, continues to fight against first nations children, even after one ruling and three orders handed down by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. After two years of fine speeches, it is time to act. Can the government confirm that it will support Bill C-262 on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples?
45. Romeo Saganash - 2017-01-30
Polarity : 0.0866667
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Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has clearly shown just how out of touch he is with the needs of indigenous youth. The priority of youth is not canoes, but rather adequate and equitable services.My question is very simple: when will the government finally comply with the decision of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal and the unanimous motion of the House and immediately invest the required $155 million?
46. Romeo Saganash - 2016-01-28
Polarity : 0.0821429
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Mr. Speaker, the federal government systematically discriminated against indigenous children for years. In order to implement this week's decision, the government must take meaningful action immediately. We need to see an entire cultural shift in all government institutions. Other cases are still before the courts regarding access to education and health care.What specific actions has the government taken since Tuesday to finally respect the rights of indigenous children?
47. Romeo Saganash - 2018-11-19
Polarity : 0.08125
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Mr. Speaker, the forced sterilization of women is still happening in other parts of the world, and believe it or not, it is also still happening here in Canada to indigenous women.Article 22.2 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples requires that all states take measures to ensure that indigenous women enjoy full protection against all forms of violence and discrimination.Will the Liberals launch an inquiry to put an end to this situation and make restitution for the harm done to the victims and their families?
48. Romeo Saganash - 2016-10-06
Polarity : 0.0787879
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Mr. Speaker, not only is the Prime Minister responsible for the youth file, but I believe I heard him promise a new nation-to-nation relationship with indigenous peoples.Nevertheless, his government is not keeping the promise he made to indigenous youth. The new minister's briefing notes recommend that she honour that commitment, but she prefers to continue to shortchange them.Can the minister explain once again how she justifies her decision to ignore her department's recommendation?When will she stop saying one thing in the House and doing the opposite outside?
49. Romeo Saganash - 2016-11-17
Polarity : 0.0761905
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Mr. Speaker, the government's own ministers agree that the government is not investing enough to help young indigenous people.In committee yesterday, the Minister of Health said that federal health infrastructure investments were merely “a drop in a bucket” compared to the pressing needs.My question is very simple. When will the minister finally provide adequate funding for the infrastructure and services that communities need?
50. Romeo Saganash - 2017-02-02
Polarity : 0.075
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Mr. Speaker, guess what? Just one day after announcing that the government was finally putting an end to all Sixties Scoop litigation, the government was in court to argue against the case of Marcia Brown.My question is very simple: will the minister immediately put an end to the government's legal defence and recognize that Canada has, and has always had, a duty to protect the cultural identity of indigenous children?