Thank you.
Before I answer, I'd like to introduce two of my colleagues, Dan Pudjak and Audrey Mayes. I would also inform the committee that I have an engagement with some colleagues at Corrections Canada at 10 o'clock, so I'll be leaving around 9:50 a.m.
With respect to the question, we would agree that consultation in its proper form, especially with respect to the criteria set out by the Supreme Court regarding first nations communities, hasn't really been met through the engagement DFO has undertaken to this point. With respect to meetings with the Assembly of First Nations and DFO, there has basically been two conference calls and three face-to-face meetings. AFN was given a high, broad overview of what's in the act, but nothing really specific as proposed to the content of the act or the policies.
We've asked for information and documentation from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. To date they have informed us that they could not release documents to us because they haven't had the authority to release those documents yet. So when it comes to the specifics of the regulations and what the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is going to be pursuing, we really have limited access to what exactly that is.
With respect to the broader consultations, we do appreciate that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has engaged the Assembly of First Nations and other political organizations, such as the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and others, but again, these are very high-level organizations. Discussions were at a high level. We would reaffirm that the specific rights holders are the first nations communities themselves and the first nations citizens. Engagement with them has been very short and very limited. We would recommend that proper consultation, especially within the guidelines set out by the Supreme Court, are acknowledged and pursued by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
Other than that, I don't know if my colleagues have anything else to add.