Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  They don't tell us what their plans are. We're trying to reach a settlement. If they avail themselves of that offer....

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Absolutely.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We cannot refer any claim to the tribunal. It is always the first nation's choice to leave the specific claims process and go to the tribunal. They have four different areas where they can do that. Three years after their claim has been filed with the minister, if they haven't re

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We continue towards the settlement.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Well, it's not necessarily for as long as they see fit, though. We have to understand that the negotiations are being managed, and the reason why there was reform was that the first nations thought we were taking too long at the negotiating table to reach a settlement. This whole

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Some of them are difficult to negotiate. As well, a lot of it is getting the parties used to the idea of doing this in a more effective way: getting the mindset around that idea that we can achieve these settlements sooner rather than later and that we need to focus our efforts m

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Well, it's a joint effort, the negotiations. As I said, our focus is to work towards the settlement, and negotiation is always our preference. It's not to force the files over to the tribunal. That would totally go against what we were trying to achieve. We would end up causing y

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  There have been five to date.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you. No, we will not be tabling offers at all tables as of October 16, 2011.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  In total we have over 270 ongoing negotiations, which include those 80 tables. Only 80 of them will reach the three-year mark on October 16.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  No, we will not be revoking any offers that we have made at the tables.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Negotiations are ongoing. When we believe we are at a time at the table when we're ready to table an offer, we will be doing so.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Roughly around 80 tables will reach the three-year mark on October 16, 2011.