Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission strongly recommends that the full and meaningful implementation of the United Nation Declaration of Rights of Indigenous People in order to achieve reconciliation. Last year the previous Assembly passed a bill to implement UNDRIP and ensure all future laws were consist with those principles. UNDRIP complements the rights of Indigenous people as set out in section 35 of the Canadian Constitution which upholds treaty rights. Under both UNDRIP and section 35, Canada, and by extension the GNWT, now have federal and international laws that demand their compliance with these treaty rights. During negotiations over a hundred years ago, my people were assured that the treaty would not lead to any forced interference with their mode of life and that it did not open the way to the imposition of any tax and that there were no fear and forced military services. Since then, especially since the creation of the GNWT, many taxes have been forced upon my people that are not in compliance with Treaty 8, the rights of which are upheld by section 35 and UNDRIP.
Some of these taxes are very obvious, like the payroll tax or the carbon tax, but there are also many other hidden taxes and fees. Today we have a new government that promises a future of collaboration and cooperation, strong close relationships between them and Indigenous governments. This is a government that now must only abide by section 35 of the Constitution but is also obligated by United Nation Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. This is why today I'm calling upon the new government to bring itself in compliance with Treaty 8 and cease in committing new taxes on my people. I look forward to hearing from the Premier today on his plans to bring the GNWT in compliance with my people's rights. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Tu NedheWiilideh. Members' statements. Member from Monfwi.
