Elizabeth May, Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands:
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise today in this place, beginning by acknowledging that we are on the traditional territory of the Algonquin people.
It is also a tremendous honour because, today, at the University of Victoria, a historic program is being launched.
The university has launched the world’s first degree-granting program in indigenous law. I could not be more honoured to recognize that today. I would like to be there with them. John Borrows, who holds a Canada research chair in indigenous law, and Val Napoleon, who is also engaged with this issue as the law foundation chair in aboriginal justice and governance, are launching a program that is rooted in the earth, looking to indigenous law as well as common law to direct Canada’s future.
I raise my hands to them. All honour.