Yes, Mr. Chair.
I wish to table an amendment to the effect that Bill C-469 in clause 2 be amended by adding after line 31 on page 2 the following:
“aboriginal land” means
(a) reserves, surrendered lands and any other lands that are set apart for the use and benefit of a band and that are subject to the Indian Act;
(b) land, including any water, that is subject to a comprehensive or specific claim agreement, or a self-government agreement, between the Government of Canada and aboriginal people where title remains with Her Majesty in right of Canada; and
I saw fit to make this amendment because it would make clause 8 consistent with the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.
In their wisdom, after extensive consultation, the Government of Canada chose to divide up the definitions between “federal land”, “federal work or undertaking” and “aboriginal land”. I'm presuming they heard testimony to that effect and, having heard all sides, made the decision that those were two distinct entities.
So I simply want to make sure we're consistent with the way the government is preferring to present.