Thank you, Mr. Chair. Perhaps I might not be the last questioner. We might have another round.
I appreciate all the testimony today from the members who have come before us from your various nations. I appreciate, of course, in a democracy that we always have the opportunity to sometimes agree and other times to disagree.
Perhaps one particular point of testimony that I'll maybe ask a few questions on is just going back to Chief Phillips, to some of his testimony. You mentioned the tribunal we're proposing is inappropriate, and you went on with some commentary. I just want to speak a little towards why I believe the existing status quo is inappropriate.
We have situations where specific claims that are being put forward by first nations come to the government, and the government, as it currently stands, can either acknowledge those claims or not. As such, the Government of Canada is the judge and jury on these claims. Many have said through the years, and I agree, that this is an unacceptable, inappropriate situation. This specific claims commission came forward, but of course it did not have any binding elements to it...when it would rule. It would bring forward recommendations to the Government of Canada, but the Government of Canada again being judge and jury simply might choose not to proceed with those recommendations of the commission. However, the new tribunal, which is being proposed through this legislation, would be an entity all to itself, which would actually have the opportunity to create binding settlements and actually deliver real dollars towards these specific claims.
So it takes it out of the hands of the federal government, which many first nations have argued have a bias, whether it be to protect the public purse or to protect itself from lawsuit. So it's this very legislation that in my opinion is trying to set aside the inappropriate status quo.
My question for you would be this. In light of the fact that we have an inappropriate status quo, where the Government of Canada is judge and jury, do you believe this process, though perhaps not perfect, is in fact a departure from the status quo? Due to the fact that it is only voluntary, it can't be, at the very least, seen as a bad departure from the status quo. I would argue it's a good departure. I just want to hear your feedback on what I've said.