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"Despite tireless efforts and appeals by First Nations, today, the House of Commons passed Bill C-6, the Specific Claims Resolution Act. I am disappointed that the voices of First Nations citizens and our overwhelming opposition to this bill were not heard or considered by the government. I am dismayed that debate was limited on such an important issue to First Nations and Canada.

"Bill C-6 will not deliver on the stated commitment of creating a truly independent and transparent claims process, a long-standing goal of First Nations.

"Instead, Bill C-6 compromises the independence and neutrality of the claims body by allowing the Minister and government unilateral authority to appoint Commissioners, instead of allowing for a joint process between First Nations and the federal government. And the cap on claims settlements effectively excludes the vast majority of First Nations claims, making the only alternative the courts which are costly and time-consuming for Canada and First Nations.

"This legislation will not reduce the backlog of more than 700 claims that are currently in the system.

"The Liberal government committed in its 1993 Red Book to create an independent claims process. This goal is shared by First Nations and there are AFN resolutions supporting this going back more than a decade.

"There is an existing model for a better process we can implement immediately. A 1998 Joint Task Force between the AFN and Canada recommended a proposed claims process that would be truly fair and independent. We must return to the recommendations in that Joint Task Force report, which was supported by First Nations and supported by the government of Canada.

"Canada must deal with these issues in the interest of justice for First Nations and fiscal responsibility for Canada. These claims will not go away. They are lawful obligations, not discretionary spending.

"I urge the incoming Prime Minister to re-consider Bill C-6. We are hopeful that the next government is committed to a new way of doing business with First Nations. We look forward to working together to find a better, more equitable process that is efficient and effective and does justice to the legitimate claims of First Nations."

--Phil Fontaine, National Chief, Assembly of First Nations

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations in Canada.