Speaking Notes for

The Honourable Chuck Strahl, PC, MP Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians

Welcoming ceremony at the Royal BC Museum – Tsawwassen Treaty

Victoria, British Columbia
October 15, 2007

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Good afternoon, elders, Chief Baird, Premier Campbell, Minister de Jong, ladies and gentlemen. I am truly honoured to join you here on the territory of the Songhees First Nations to witness this historic milestone for the Tsawwassen people, for British Columbians and for all Canadians.

As we are all aware, this is the first treaty concluded under the BC treaty process to be presented to the BC Legislature for ratification. It is also the first ever in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland, and the first urban treaty in all of Canada.

Reaching this historic milestone has taken years of hard work and open forthright negotiations between the First Nation, and various levels of government. Negotiators and leaders from both sides of the table made enormous efforts to come to this agreement.

The Tsawwassen community, through ratification of the treaty, has indicated their support and approval of this tremendous achievement.

It is testament to what can be achieved by working in partnership, with the determination and the good will of all parties bringing strength to the process.

For so many reasons, this is truly an historic event.

This treaty brings the Tsawwassen First Nation to the cusp of a prosperous future with the tools and the authority necessary to build a strong, healthy community.

It is a clear and concrete step toward resolving questions of rights and title, as well as ensuring certainty for all parties.

I want to congratulate the Tsawwassen First Nation and Premier Campbell, Minister de Jong and the Government of British Columbia for your role in this monumental achievement. Your partnership and commitment are a fine example of how real progress can be achieved.

Canada’s New Government is committed to delivering real, tangible results – like the Tsawwassen Agreement – which improve the quality of life in Aboriginal communities.

We’ve been focusing on innovative, practical measures that address the priorities of Aboriginal people and make a real difference in their lives. Our actions are proof of this commitment.

For example, in a little over a year and a half, this government has demonstrated tangible progress on land claims. We’ve announced a Specific Claims Action Plan, that will speed up the current process of settling specific claims and finally address the backlog of claims. We've signed land claim agreements across Canada: from a Treaty Land Entitlement Settlement Agreement with Sturgeon Lake First Nation in Saskatchewan to the Nunavik Inuit Land Claims Agreement in Northern Quebec. And just last week we signed an Agreement-in-Principle for the Bigstone Cree Nation in Alberta.

These are all examples of the ultimate benefit of what can be accomplished through partnership at the negotiating table.

I am committed to taking the steps necessary to be in a position to introduce legislation in federal Parliament -- beginning the final ratification phase that will bring the Tsawwassen Treaty, a modern day treaty, into force and effect.

Thank you.