Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to the witnesses for being here and for some returning again.
My first question is to you, Mr. Burns.
Those around this table are probably going to get tired of me reading this testimony, but I feel that it is particularly impactful and I would like to get your thoughts on it.
We had Mr. Russ here from the Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative during this study, and he pointed out that there are, in his words, “inaccurate and sensationalist accusations involving first nations in illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in Canada.” He pointed out, “The further criminalization and vilification of first nations looking to exercise their most basic inherent and aboriginal rights is not the answer.”
I'm wondering if you could share some thoughts around that particular testimony.