Thank you, Mr. Chair.
That's just absolute nonsense, and I'm quite surprised, given that it's aboriginal groups who actually support the government's move in this direction. In fact, the AFN supports this move. Chief Manny Jules supports this move.
The fact remains that this statistical management operation has not been operational and hasn't delivered any significant progress in supporting data or statistical needs of first nations at all. In fact, Stats Canada and the First Nations Information Governance Centre are doing the work that really could have been done otherwise by this organization.
Consultations have been held. We're moving forward. This is a good measure, not only because first nations support it and want to see this happen, but because it is a cost saving measure for an agency that really was not operational. The government will be proud to vote in favour of this very important section.