to deliver at the
Opening of the Algonquin Consultation Office
Pembroke, Ontario
January 11, 2010
Good afternoon.
Thank you very much for the warm welcome. It is truly an honour and a privilege to be in Pembroke today to commemorate the opening of the Algonquin Consultation Office.
This afternoon, we are celebrating the result of a lot of hard work and planning - you have taken what was once a garage, then a court house and turned it into a wonderfully warm and welcoming space, with artwork that is representative of the Algonquin peoples.
Most importantly, I want to congratulate everyone not only on the opening of this office but also for taking a unique approach to consultation. This office is more than a place to meet, work, and carry on discussions - important as all these functions are. It's also a symbol of what can be achieved when we work together with patience, respect, and with a genuine desire to reach an agreement that benefits all parties.
In fact, the creation of this office is a direct result of an August 2009 agreement concerning consultations reached by all the parties - a by-product, if you will, of the negotiations that are taking place between the Algonquin, Canada and Ontario.
This important agreement lends itself to the significant work that will be conducted within these walls and sets out a clear and efficient means for Canada and Ontario to consult with the Algonquins of Ontario on proposed activities in the area under claim.
In addition, we are in the midst of negotiating a unique land claim. There is no doubt that moving forward toward resolving this claim will take tremendous knowledge and skill of the negotiators from all sides, but I know that we have the people at the table to take on this important task.
So, this new consultation office will provide an environment in which development and consultation issues can be addressed away from the negotiating table. And with these concerns dealt with separately through this office, negotiators for the Algonquins of Ontario, Canada and Ontario can focus their energies on resolving this outstanding land claim.
Because that, ladies and gentlemen, that is the immediate goal that we all have before us - an Agreement-in-Principle that will set the stage for the conclusion of a final treaty with the Algonquins of Ontario. A treaty that will ensure fairness, bring certainty, and encourage economic prosperity for this important region.
Congratulations again to everyone who helped in the making this office a reality and a promising indication of what we can achieve together in the future.
Thank you.
