Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you again, Ms. Gibbons, for being here.
My question is around the First Nations Fisheries Council. As I'm sure you're aware, the first nations caucus is, in effect, a key participant in the Pacific Salmon Treaty process. As you know, the first nations caucus is vital to Canadians and indigenous people participating in this process. They are a key part of this process.
Unfortunately, something I brought to the minister's attention in 2023 was that the First Nations Fisheries Council was reaching out with concerns that, despite the immense role they take on in this process, the funding they receive is minimal. They don't have the funding to truly participate and make sure they are speaking with members of the first nations to bring forward the information and have the meetings required for them to ensure that they're all on the same page in order to participate fully in the process.
I did write a letter to the minister a year ago, asking for this funding to be enhanced. The First Nations Fisheries Council is still reaching out with concerns around the funding being allocated.
I'm wondering if you could speak to this and share the steps forward to ensure that this participation can be done in a fulsome manner.