Yes.
We had requested some background materials so that it would assist us to formulate our own analysis of what was contained in Bill C-38, and now we're faced with Bill C-45.
We suggested during our brief technical meeting with DFO...to produce four helpful documents that we could disseminate to first nations as well as take a look at so that it would assist us in doing our outreach with first nations. We requested a powerpoint deck-type of overview. We asked for a comparison document.
I'll also note that this is the first time we've had any definition of “aboriginal fishery” contained in the bill. Previous attempts to change the Fisheries Act over the years have not looked at or examined the definition of an aboriginal fishery. This is a very new clause for us, and we wanted to have a little bit more of a conversation with the department and have the time to talk to first nations across the country about what that means to them.
We have a lot of case law to look at. We also have various complex self-government agreements and treaties. We have the peace and friendship treaties and the numbered treaties as well as new treaties that are being negotiated.
There's quite an array of different complexities. We thought that by requesting some of this background information from the department, it would assist us in providing information to first nations so they could understand what is being proposed.
Thank you.