Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I want to add to this point to illustrate, too, how the industry has been evolving, it's becoming increasingly commonplace now for companies to have on staff community liaison officers who actually come from the communities where they're operating. They're the go-between, in a sense.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  It is much more difficult if they have not had any experience dealing in the past with the mining sector or with others. In some ways, it is easier in the James Bay area because land claim issues have been resolved. Furthermore, the community has experience with and is knowledgeable about these matters.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The agreement negotiated between a mining company and a first nation is of a business nature.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  In Quebec, for example, Goldcorp and the Cree are currently in contract negotiations.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  There is no mine as of yet, only a potential mine. Stornoway Diamond Corporation is also negotiating a possible diamond mining operation with the Cree. The Cree have 30 years of experience in such matters. They know very well what to do.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  This is from a slightly different angle. I'll touch on it, because your next witnesses are from the Northwest Territories. For example, in the NWT, in the current context, without clarity on the duty to consult, what our industry is facing increasingly is a multiplicity of different consultation protocols from different communities, and that is extremely difficult to get your head around.