Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My questions are going to be directed to Mr. David and Mr. Jones from the Assembly of First Nations.
Thank you very much for being here with us and for your testimony and recommendations.
I'm interested in speaking with you because my riding includes Oka. It's traditionally Kanesatake Mohawk territory. The people of Kanesatake have never been consulted, let alone given their consent to mining projects that keep trying to come into the territory. This is traditionally their territory, and it's currently under review, so there is a lot of concern about the fact that there have been no consultations--or not with them anyhow. There has been a little bit of consultation with the people living in Oka, but not with the people of Kanesatake.
The people of Kanesatake believe there should be free, prior, and informed consent. If they draw on the UN declaration of indigenous rights, to which Canada is a signatory...they're trying to make this argument. I'd like to hear from you. Could you elaborate on the importance of consent and the difference between consent and consultation?
Thank you.