We feel that CEAA has to work and take the lead as the clearing house of information, taking the lead where there are multiple responsible authorities. None of the departments want to take on the task, so we might as well give it to CEAA.
I feel that the CEAA could play a critical role in coordinating aboriginal consultation throughout Canada. Aboriginal communities are being swamped with requests to participate in provincial or national processes. They don't have necessarily the ability, the funds, or the time to participate in all the projects they may want to participate in. If CEAA can assist in that, I think that's a good place for them to start.
I think CEAA has to review the extent and the type of information it's asking for up front. It has to be a little more comfortable in not getting all the detailed responses and in leaving some things to the permitting process and detailed design phase.
Those are our thoughts on the matter.