News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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PRIME MINISTER HARPER ANNOUNCES MAJOR REFORMS TO ADDRESS THE BACKLOG OF ABORIGINAL TREATY CLAIMS

June 12, 2007
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced plans for a decisive new approach that will fundamentally change the way specific claims are handled in Canada.

The Specific Claims Action Plan addresses the huge backlog of unresolved treaty claims that has been the source of division and conflict in communities across the country. "Instead of letting disputes over land and compensation drag on forever, fuelling frustration and uncertainty, they will be solved once and for all by impartial judges on a new Specific Claims Tribunal," Prime Minister Harper said.

The Prime Minister made the historic announcement on Parliament Hill along with Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Jim Prentice. They were joined by Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine, representatives of provincial and municipal governments, several chiefs representing First Nations communities with outstanding claims, and officials from the transportation and resource industries that have been affected by protests over unresolved claims.

Canada's Specific Claims Action Plan proposes four key initiatives that would:

Create a new tribunal staffed with impartial judges who would make final decisions on claims when negotiations fail;

Make arrangements for financial compensation more transparent through dedicated funding for settlements in the amount of $250 million a year for 10 years;

Speed up processing of small claims and improve flexibility in the handling of large claims; and

Refocus the existing Indian Specific Claims Commission to concentrate on dispute resolution.

"Today's announcement is a positive response to what our people have advocated for decades and is a testament to the perseverance and dedication of our people," said National Chief Phil Fontaine. "The government's commitment to our full engagement in implementing this important initiative will be key to its success."

"For 60 years First Nations have been asking Ottawa to create an independent tribunal to adjudicate historical grievances," said Minister Prentice. "Today, finally, Canada's New Government is doing just that. It's a historic day for Canada."

Discussions with First Nations and provincial and territorial governments will take place over the summer with the goal of bringing forward legislation to implement the action plan in the fall.

Specific claim settlements honour Canada's lawful obligations to First Nations and bring economic benefits to First Nations and local communities as well as certainty for government, industry and non-Aboriginal Canadians.

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This news release and related materials, including a brochure and pamphlet on the action plan and background information on specific claims in general, are also available on the Internet at: www.inac.gc.ca

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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Statement

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER ON THE DEATH OF TROOPER DARRYL CASWELL

June 12, 2007
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement on the death of Trooper Darryl Caswell:

"On behalf of all Canadians, I would like to extend my condolences to the family and friends of Trooper Darryl Caswell. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.

Trooper Caswell was killed while working to improve the security and stability in the northern region of the Kandahar province. He was part of an operation aimed at extending the influence of the Government of Afghanistan. He and his fellow soldiers were facilitating reconstruction and development.

Without security there can be no development in Afghanistan, and thanks to soldiers like Trooper Caswell, we are making significant progress. He has left a valuable legacy and we will be forever grateful for the ultimate sacrifice he has made for our country."

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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PRIME MINISTER NOMINATES NEXT PUBLIC SECTOR INTEGRITY COMMISSIONER

June 12, 2007
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is pleased to announce the nomination of Ms. Christiane Ouimet as the new Public Sector Integrity Commissioner.

Ms. Ouimet currently serves as Associate Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. Throughout her 25-year career, Ms. Ouimet has gained considerable experience and expertise in the areas of audit, regulatory affairs and policing and enforcement.

"Ms. Ouimet is a strong and dedicated manager with a proven background in operations, and will be more than capable taking on these important responsibilities," said the Prime Minister. "She has a unique combination of skills and experiences which will serve her well as she leads the implementation of the new regime for the protection of whistleblowers. I am pleased that she has agreed to be nominated for this position," added the Prime Minister.

An agent of Parliament, the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner is responsible for the administration of the new Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act, which protects public servants and Canadians who report wrongdoings in the federal government. The Commissioner will conduct independent reviews of disclosures of wrongdoing in an equitable and timely manner, issue reports of findings to enable organizations to take appropriate remedial action and submit annual and special reports to Parliament.

Pursuant to Standing Order 111.1, the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons will table this proposed appointment for referral to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates.

Biographical notes attached.

CHRISTIANE OUIMET

Christiane Ouimet, a lawyer and member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, has had a twenty five year career with the federal government. Since June 2003, she has been serving as an Associate Deputy Minister – first at Public Works and Government Services Canada and more recently at Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. Prior to that, she held the position of Executive Director of the Immigration and Refugee Board, the largest administrative tribunal in the country. She has worked in eight different departments and agencies, primarily in the area of audit, regulatory affairs, policing and enforcement, quasi-judicial functions and machinery of government.

A graduate of the University of Ottawa, Mme Ouimet has an Honours degree (French letters) and two Bachelors Degrees in Law; one from the Faculty of Civil Law, where she taught part-time early in her career, and the other from the Faculty of Common Law. She is a member of the Ontario Bar.

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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PRIME MINISTER NOMINATES NEXT CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND ETHICS COMMISSIONER

June 12, 2007
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is pleased to announce the nomination of Ms. Mary Elizabeth Dawson, Q.C. as the new Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.

A former Associate Deputy Minister of Justice, Ms. Dawson is a highly respected public servant, recognized for her considerable experience and expertise in constitutional and administrative law. Ms. Dawson joined the public service in 1967 and held positions of increasing scope and responsibilities within the Department of Justice, until her retirement in 2005.

"Ms. Dawson is well-suited to take on this important role. She possesses extraordinary professionalism, integrity and demonstrated leadership," said the Prime Minister. "In light of her legal expertise and extensive background in administrative justice, I am confident that Ms. Dawson possesses the qualities and skills required to successfully carry out the duties and functions of this important public office. I am pleased that she has agreed to be nominated for this position," added the Prime Minister.

During her career, Ms. Dawson oversaw the drafting of numerous statutes related to ethics, professional regulation and discipline, and judicial and quasi-judicial bodies, including the Canada Labour Code, the Canadian Human Rights Act, the Federal Courts Act, and the Judges Act. Additionally, Ms. Dawson served as Chairperson of the Statute Revision Commission, which is responsible for revising and consolidating federal statutes.

An Officer of the House of Commons, the Commissioner will be responsible for administering the new Conflict of Interest Act, which sets out clear conflict of interest and post-employment rules applicable to public office holders. The Commissioner will also be responsible for administering the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons.

The Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, will table, pursuant to Standing Order 111.1, this proposed appointment for referral to the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics.

Biographical notes attached.

MARY ELIZABETH DAWSON, Q.C.

Mary Elizabeth Dawson most recently served as Associate Deputy Minister of Justice from 1988 until her retirement from the public service in 2005. Ms. Dawson began her career in the public service in 1967 as a researcher with the Department of National Revenue, before joining the Department of Justice in 1968, where she held positions of increasing scope and responsibilities.

Ms. Dawson held the position of Associate Chief Legislative Counsel from 1980 to 1986. She was personally involved in the drafting of numerous pieces of legislation, including key statutes such as the Constitution Act, 1982, including the Canadian Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, as well as the Meech Lake Accord and the Charlottetown Accord. She also drafted the Official Languages Act, the Access to Information Act, the Privacy Act and the Clarity Act.

Ms. Dawson served as Assistant Deputy Minister, then Associate Deputy Minister responsible for the Public Law Sector within the Department of Justice and in that capacity, was responsible for the provision of legal and policy advice, as well as the development of legislative initiatives in public law areas, most notably constitutional law.

Concurrent with these responsibilities, Ms. Dawson was appointed by the Minister of Justice in 1980 as a member, then in 1987 as Chairperson of the Statute Revision Commission, a legislative body responsible for revising and consolidating the public general statutes of Canada. She served in this capacity until 1993.

In 1995, Ms. Dawson became Associate Deputy Minister with responsibility for the Constitutional Affairs and Canadian Unity Section and, as such, supported the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and the Prime Minister, through the Clerk of the Privy Council, on all constitutional matters.

Throughout her tenure with the Department of Justice, Ms. Dawson also contributed at a corporate level to the management of the Department. In particular, Ms. Dawson served for several years as the final level of adjudication for grievances in the Department of Justice.

Ms. Dawson holds a Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy) and a Bachelor of Civil Law from McGill University, a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University and a post-graduate degree in Public Law from the University of Ottawa. Ms. Dawson was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1978.

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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