Statement made on 18 June 2009 by Senator Grant Mitchell
Hon. Grant Mitchell:
Honourable senators, I rise to speak for a moment to impress upon honourable senators that I, too, am very supportive of Bill C-38. I have had the privilege of working over the last day or two with Senator Di Nino on the bill. It is rewarding to see his pleasure and satisfaction at being part of this process, and I feel that as well. The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, Natural Resources and the Environment worked well under the chairmanship of Senator Angus in its consideration of the bill to return it to the house for third reading, which I hope it receives this afternoon.
Senator Di Nino emphasized the elements of the bill well. I simply make the point that it is critical to conserving vast regions of ecosystems and habitat for wildlife. It is the product of a lengthy, detailed and extensive consultative process with all major stakeholder groups. Beyond that, the process continued across the country and many Canadians were consulted on this bill in respect of a great northern expanse known as Nahanni National Park Reserve of Canada.
People can feel reassured that this process was done as well as it could have been done. It is important to note that the Dehcho people have held this park as a dream for many years. This is a tremendous accomplishment for them. Other First Nations also have a stake in this, and they will be equally happy when the bill passes.
The movement of this bill through Parliament is evidence of how that process can rise above the partisan fray to accomplish something that is intrinsically good for Canada. As Senator Di Nino mentioned, this process started some 30 years ago. It has been moved along by various governments, from that of former Prime Minister Trudeau to that of current government of Prime Minister Harper. It is an issue that has been resolved in a collaborative, Canadian way. All honourable senators should be proud that we are here today to authorize it, finalize it, and bring into being something that is very special—this national park.
There is something about Canadians' relationship to their wild lands and wildlife. At times, we take it for granted as more and more of us move into urban areas, but none of us are very far from that sense of the land that is so much a part of being Canadian. It is defining. For generations to come, people who see Nahanni National Park Reserve will understand deeply, if they have forgotten for a moment, that it is a critical element of Canadian character and values.
Today, honourable senators can vote to support this bill and reflect on that most important aspect of Canadian character by making this Nahanni National Park Reserve of Canada a reality.